Ekaterina Moré has lived in Germany for 28 years. Born in St. Petersburg in 1976, she spent several years on the Kamchatka Peninsula and by the Sea of Japan and recalls: "Even then, peace was a kind of cult, the most beautiful thing one could imagine." And Ekaterina Porizko, born near Moscow in 1989 and living in Meerbusch for a good eight years, also emphasizes: "We wish for peace. Conflicts cannot be resolved through war and violence." The war between her homeland and Ukraine evokes feelings of helplessness and fear in the artist and cantor.
"I didn't believe that a war in Europe was possible," explains Ekaterina Moré, who has made a name for herself with her artistic works at international exhibitions, primarily on the subject of women in the modern world. She fears for relatives and acquaintances in Russia and especially for her friend Svetlana in Ukraine.
The latter lived with her husband and eleven-year-old daughter in Kharkiv – most recently without electricity and water – and has now arrived in "more or less safe Lviv" with her sister and her two small children after fleeing: "There they at least have something to eat and will consider what to do next, whether they will make their way to us in Germany." Ekaterina Moré and Svetlana met in an online reading group that has existed for two years. Literature enthusiasts from Belarus, Ukraine and Germany participate: "We all speak Russian and exchange ideas on various topics. The range of emotions is particularly wide given the war."
A few days ago, a video of her friend's daughter playing the Ukrainian national anthem on the flute at the window in Kharkiv was seen on social media. "Actually, that's too risky, the danger of getting hurt is very great. But the music should give people strength and help them suppress their own fear," explains Ekaterina Moré. She emphasizes that the Ukrainians who risk their lives are fighting for freedom in Europe: "I find that admirable." Even these days, the artist takes up pen and brush: "Painting motivates me." She donates a portion of the proceeds from sold paintings to an organization that supports Ukraine. Ekaterina Moré knows that many Russians are speechless in the face of Putin's violence, despite varying information and fakes. Ekaterina Porizko explains: "The basis of my work here is the longing for peace." As a cantor of the Evangelical Church Community of Büderich, she has been giving concerts in Germany, France, Finland, Russia and around the Baltic countries since 2011. She recalls: "My very first concert tour abroad took me to Ukraine." The current warlike conflicts there are not only devastating for her: "The war breaks the hearts of all the people I know."
Porizko's family comes from all over Europe, her great-grandfather was Austrian and her father was an engineer in Russia working on scientific projects: "The contacts with Europe were always intense," she says. Ekaterina Porizko knows that faith can move mountains and that it helps friends and colleagues in Russia and Ukraine to know that Germany stands behind them: "Supportive thoughts strengthen." The cantor, whose parents live in Russia, relies on her strong faith and repeats: "Peace cannot be achieved with violence." On her YouTube channel there is a ten-minute prayer for peace every day, and it is also possible to participate in such prayers at the Bethlehem Church every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Ekaterina Porizko selects the appropriate musical pieces.
She and Ekaterina Moré believe that "something terrible" has also happened interpersonally in the nations involved. The two artists are very worried and hope for a speedy peace: "To overcome this conflict is an enormous challenge." The painter and the musician are grateful for the numerous aid projects, including those from Meerbusch and the Rhine district of Neuss. They now hope that the Ukrainian refugees will also be supported in their integration."
by Monika Götz
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