A Ukrainian Woman Turns 101: Enduring War and a Lifelong Passion for Books

Myroslava Zhmynda Celebrates Her Birthday

According to Главком: On April 21, 2024, Myroslava Zhmynda, a resident of the Ternopil region, will celebrate her 101st birthday. She was born and has spent her entire life in the village of Velyki Hai, growing up in a large family with five children. As a teenager, at just 17 years old, she endured the horrors of the Second World War, hiding from German forces in a cellar beneath her house. Her life spans a century of profound change and conflict in Ukraine.

The pensioner maintains a keen interest in literature, with a particular love for the works of the revered Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko. She can recite numerous works by Ukrainian writers from memory.

“I sit and read at night. It's one in the morning, I've made supper, my husband has gone to bed, and I take a book in my hands and read. That was my first love-books,” Myroslava Zhmynda shares.

An Active Life and Cherished Traditions

Despite her advanced age, she leads an active life, sings folk songs, and keeps up with world news. Myroslava also recalls the holiday traditions preserved in her family:

• “My mother would cook for the holidays and set the table. First, she would put out the Easter bread [paska], then the babka cakes, and then ham, sausage, and cheese,” she recounts about Easter celebrations.

The centenarian remembers how the holiday was observed in her childhood:

“And we would draw patterns [yahilky] near the church. After the evening service, we would go for the evening yahilochka.”

According to Myroslava, the difficult times of war left a bitter mark on her memory:

“Russian cannons were firing here, and the Germans were over there in Ternopil. It was very hard.”

Even at her age, the woman remains optimistic. “And now there is war again-a big, terrible war. The occupiers want to destroy us, the Ukrainian people, but we will never give up. Ukraine was, is, and will forever be our Homeland,” says Myroslava Zhmynda, emphasizing her faith in victory. Her perspective offers a powerful link between Ukraine's past struggles and its current fight for sovereignty.

This story is a vivid example of the vitality and resilience of the Ukrainian people, who, despite hardships, preserve their traditions and culture.

The story of Myroslava Zhmynda demonstrates not only her personal endurance but also the collective memory of Ukrainians who, having survived numerous trials, continue to safeguard their traditions and cultural heritage. In the face of modern challenges like war, such testimonies underscore the importance of resilience and unity among the Ukrainian people. Faith in victory and the preservation of cultural identity remain key aspects of life for many Ukrainians.

Myroslava's remarkable journey is reminiscent of other centenarians who have faced the trials of war and loss. For instance, the story of a 105-year-old woman from Kamianske highlights the resilience and strength required to survive such turbulent times. Discover her inspiring tale of endurance and hope during challenging periods in her life by reading more about it here.