Yesterday I found this poem. It was written by Anastasia Dmitruk of Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion Crimea 2014. According to my understanding, this poem prompted numerous pro-Russian responses; regardless what your opinion is about their ideologies, it appears to me to be an indicator of a vibrant poetic culture.
Regardless of any arguments raised at the time about it, their prophecy is now fulfilled. A invasion that was aimed at the unification of close-related peoples, at most, has caused them to be deeply disowned, probably for a lifetime. You can see the message clearly in this video that I recently made.
This is a twist I want to add. (See this post for more details on another matter). The Russian poem that denounces and condemns Russia was written in Russian. Part of it might be to communicate the message to Russians (who are formally addressed by the narrator). It is possible that part of the reason for this was that Russian language, which unlike Russia as a country, is still in the author’s mind. (See, for example, “the masks of the author are taken off” which she also wrote in Russian, but it seems that her message was addressed to at least some Ukrainians.
Perhaps relatedly, the audio recording in the video above is by Lithuanian musicians (Virgis Pupšys, Gintautas Litinskas, Jeronimas Milius, Kęstutis Nevulis, Vladimiras Konstantinovas). In their wish to separate from Russians, it is natural that Lithuanians should join with Ukrainians. The language used to oppose the Russian empire’s rule is Russian. The common thread, or reality that Russia created in Eastern Europe, is a crucial aspect. It was an opportunity, I think, for genuine closeness among those countries, including Russia—economic and cultural and perhaps even one day political. Putin has destroyed this chance.
It is difficult for me to translate the poem. Unless you are a skilled poet translator (like James Falen’s Eugene Onegin), it can’t accurately capture the meaning and meter of the words. However, it is loosely (and maybe incorrectly in some places) translated as follows:
Both you and I will never be brother
We are not ruled by our mothers, or our motherlands.
It is impossible to have the courage and spirit of a free person.
Your stepsiblings won’t be our stepchildren.
You’ve been christened “the elder brothers”
You don’t have to look younger.
There are many of you, but unfortunately, there is no one to face.
Although you may be vast, we are huge.
If you press us, we will work for you.
Your envy will make you choke.
You don’t know the word liberty.
From childhood, you are bound in chains.
You say, “Silence is gold” at home
But in our hands burn Molotov cocktails,
Burning blood flows in our hearts.
How do you see yourself as a blind family?
Fear is not something we have in our eyes.
We are still a threat even without weapons
We became more confident as we grew up
Snipers are constantly targeting us.
We were beaten to death by our executioners.
This was rectified by us.
Insanely, the rats run and hide.
They’ll be washed with their own blood.
New orders are coming in.
We are able to extinguish the flames of rebellion.
Democracy is what you get from the Czar.
We will not be brothers with you.