Kuzma, freedom and independence: a film screening that touched everyone

On 23 August, on the eve of the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia (Ukraina kinoklubi Eestis) brought Ukrainian and Estonian friends together at the Kino Sõprus cinema for a screening of the new documentary “Kuzma: Strashno veselyi” (literally “Terribly Funny”).

It was the day when cinema became much more than just cinema.

We spoke about Independence. About freedom, which for Ukrainians has long ceased to be an abstract concept. About the right to determine one’s own future, to speak one’s own language, to preserve one’s culture, history and identity. About the price Ukraine pays every day for the chance to remain a free country.

And it is deeply symbolic that on the eve of Independence Day we met on the big screen with none other than Kuzma Skryabin.

Funny. Ironic. Sometimes unbearably direct. But always free and genuine.

Ever since Russia’s aggression began in 2014, Kuzma spoke openly about the war and the danger of Russia, supported Ukrainian soldiers, defended the Ukrainian language and culture, and reminded us: when it comes to your country, you cannot stand aside.

More than ten years have passed since his death, and some of his words sound today as if they were said precisely for us.

Before the film began, the whole hall stood up for a minute of silence to honour the Ukrainian soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Ukraine, and the civilians whose lives were taken by Russia’s war.

A special moment of the evening was the performance of the national anthems of Ukraine and Estonia by the Ukrainian song and dance group “Volya”.

This year August symbolically united our two countries: on 20 August Estonia marked the 35th anniversary of the restoration of its independence, and on 24 August Ukraine marked 35 years of Independence.

Estonia knows well the price of freedom and restored statehood. And today, when Ukraine is fighting for its own freedom, we especially value that the Estonian people stand beside us.

The guests of the screening were addressed by a representative of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia. In her speech she spoke about the special meaning of the blue-and-yellow flag for Ukrainians — a flag that today is a symbol of home, freedom, struggle and return. She thanked Estonia and the Estonian people for their unwavering support of Ukraine, called on everyone to support the UNITED24 fundraiser for ambulances for Ukrainian medics and to visit the photo exhibition of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo, “Chasiv Yar. Fireproof”, in Tallinn.

During the event the Embassy representative also presented a Letter of Appreciation from the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia to the Ukrainian song and dance ensemble “Volya” and its artistic director Anastasiia Kozachok for their work, for preserving Ukrainian culture and for many years of representing Ukraine in Estonia.

On the eve of Independence Day, the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia also joined the international campaign “Peaceful Sky — a Shared Responsibility”, initiated by the international community Strichka (#razom) together with Ukrainian communities and partner organisations in different countries around the world.

Because while Russian missiles and drones attack Ukrainian cities every day, protecting Ukraine’s sky remains a shared responsibility. Strong Ukrainian air defence is not only the protection of our people. It is a contribution to the security of the whole of Europe.

And then the lights went out in the hall and Kuzma appeared on the screen.

Thanks to the huge amount of unique archive material, much of it never published before, it sometimes truly felt as if he was telling us his story himself.

Silence filled the hall, and then the audience cried.

People of all ages cried. Because for some, Kuzma is youth. For others, songs tied to a whole part of life. For others, a person whose words are only now revealed in a completely different light.

This film touched everyone.

And perhaps it is exactly such moments that best explain why the Ukrainian Film Club has been gathering Ukrainians in Estonian cinemas for three and a half years.

We come here not only to watch Ukrainian cinema.

We come to remember who we are. To hear our language.

To share emotions together.

To keep our connection with Ukraine.

And to tell others about it.

We thank the “Volya” ensemble and its leaders for the special atmosphere of this evening.

We thank Natalia Shevchenko, Denis Priimagi, Inna Vnukova, Tetiana Kharuzheva and Svitlana Priimagi for organising and running the event!

We thank Oleksandr Storozhuk for the wonderful photos!

We thank the Embassy of Ukraine in Estonia for supporting the Ukrainian Film Club.

We thank the Sõprus cinema for its hospitality and cooperation.

And most of all we thank you, our audience. For the full hall. For your tears and smiles. For the applause. For coming to watch Ukrainian cinema with us for so many years.

Because as long as we are together, far from Ukraine, we still remain at home.

The film “Kuzma: Strashno veselyi” continues its journey across Estonia. The next screening takes place on 12 September at 15:00 at Tartu Elektriteater.

We look forward to all Ukrainians and Estonian friends living in Tartu coming to see this wonderful film!