Життя Марії

The easiest thing to do in times of war is to hate strangers. The most challenging thing is to reach an understanding, even with their own. But you have to try; otherwise, the war will never end. And to understand each other, it is necessary to talk. With whomever, however, and about whatever. The main thing is not to lose humanity, that is, love and attention.

In the poetry collection "Life of Maria" Serhiy Zhadan talks about the most precious letters and burnt bridges, lost places, and destroyed cities. Speaks in rhyming verses and verlibres, own and translated words. He talks to his own and strangers, to saints and not-so-saints, to dead soldiers and living refugees, to Rilke, Miloš, and, of course, to us. To save - if not us, then at least our children.