Odarka Tsymbal

The story of our project began in the summer of 2022. We are doing it to support the spirit of the nation and show that Ukrainian culture still exists and will continue to exist. I started the project on my own, but now my friends are helping me. Some of them are good at organizing, some use their public speaking skills, others are creative, artistically talented.

Yes, we raise funds for the this foundation. We simply donate all the money that people donate during the event, and after each collection we make and publish a report on our account on Instagram @prytomni.

During the last two evenings we raised more than a thousand zlotys for each of them. When we started, we used to raise about 400 zloty at a time. So far we have held about 10 such meetings. Regularly 40-50 people attend. In total, we have donated more than 4,500 zlotys.

We play music too and read not only poetry, but also prose. We are always open to new experiments. Our goal is to show that Ukrainian culture is alive, modern and interesting to people – just like the people who create it.

To sign up for the poetry reading, just contact us via Instagram (@prytomni) to discuss the program. The idea is that the event is about Ukrainian culture, but we’re always happy to have people read in Polish, English and Belarussian, or whatever language suits them. After the basic program, there is time at the open mic – then anyone willing can present something of their own.

As I mentioned, we are open to anything new. We have evenings that are more international and evenings that are more Ukrainian. When there are international ones, a lot of Poles come. According to me, about 30% of the audience is Polish. Ukrainians sometimes write in Polish, but this is rather an exception.

Time after time performers choose the Russian language, but it is very rare.  Usually people react negatively or also quietly. I think it may be that way because there are a lot of Russified Ukrainians, or there are old poems written under completely different political circumstances. However, the question I ask myself is what is the significance of that language these days? In any case, I believe that everyone has the right to choose his attitude to the language. Of course, I am for the spread of the Ukrainian language!

They are about what hurts me, or about what I love. This is so typical for writing. It’s always about something different, yet the same thing. I write about the things that evoke the most emotions in me. That is the war in my country and love. These are probably the factors I write about most often. However, love is a broad concept for me, because it is in everything around me.

Our group, perhaps because of its size, is very cozy and family-like. But more well-known people are also joining us, and we are ready for that 🙂 But right now my main plan is to work with funds that are and will be used to help my country. This is the main goal of the project. In turn, other factors are based on how our group sees the next event or who wants to join us. This is what forms every event.

I came to Poland after February 24, 2022. I spent most of my life in Kiev.

I liked the fact that our university has many psychological specialties. I chose the one that interests me. I am studying clinical psychology. I find it interesting and necessary. First of all, it helps me to  understand people better, and secondly, I just feel a lot of strength in myself and want to help others, so this is the reason why I am involved in the “Prytomni” project. 

In the future, of course, I want to help people in other ways. In a word, this direction is a reflection of my soul.

I like Cognitive Processes the most. It’s a very interesting subject, even though it’s difficult. Every Tuesday I have from 3 to 4 lectures, and I think it’s the lecture that makes me eager to get up and go to the university. The lecturer, Piotr Burkacki, MA, because of his openness, is very supportive, you can always ask him any questions and learn a lot from him.

After graduation I want to work individually with people in need of help. I also really like coaching and art therapy.

I’m here by myself and help on my own. I study and have a job.  The work I do is always related to people, whether it’s helping to start a project or help with translation. For me it’s important to work creatively with people, because it fascinates me.

Until recently, I worked on a project for young immigrants. My responsibilities included finding such people, helping to organize various initiatives, answering questions about the project online. Soon, I am going to have a new job, which will also be related to the organization of the project, but also to the mental support of these people.

Of course, it’s a different country, with its own customs, but I like where I am now, I just feel that I am where I should be 🙂

***
From the bottom of our hearts we thank Odarka for the great interview and for the work she does, the role she plays and the good she brings! 

Alona Trokhymchuk,
UEHS in Warsaw