A story of strength and hope: Ukrainian friends Yuliia & Kateryna and their ‘new’ life in Brunssum

In the spring of 2022, best friends Yuliia and Kateryna fled from Chernihiv, Ukraine, as war turned their lives upside down. What had once been a normal existence in an ancient city was completely destroyed in just a single night.

"It was a huge shock," Yuliia says. "I never imagined I would end up here, in the Netherlands. It was all so unexpected." Kateryna nods in agreement, adding: "It was an emergency. There was no time to think. We left with only what we could carry for the journey." Their path, full of uncertainties, eventually led them to a place they had never heard of: Brunssum.

A warm welcome to the Netherlands

Their first few days in Brunssum were a blur of impressions, but one moment remains bright in their minds: the sight of a friendly man on a bicycle calling out to them, "Welcome to the Netherlands, glory to Ukraine!" It was a brief but heartwarming message that made them feel less alone. "We saw many Ukrainian flags, and that was a huge support for us," Yuliia says. "It felt like a little piece of home, here in the Netherlands."

Despite the warm welcome, life in a new country wasn’t easy. Yuliia and Kateryna had to start from scratch. In Ukraine, they both had good jobs – Yuliia was the deputy director of a youth centre, and Kateryna worked as a PR manager for a charity organisation. Now, they find themselves in roles far removed from their former careers. "It’s very different, but we’re grateful to have work," they say.

Creativity as an outlet

Since arriving in Brunssum, both women have found solace in their creativity, a way to momentarily escape the chaos of war. Yuliia has always had a passion for drawing and painting. "I love experimenting with different techniques: oil, pastel, pencil. It’s an outlet for my emotions." Her first drawing in the Netherlands was of a church in Chernihiv, created during her first night at the refugee centre. "That church stands on the outskirts of my city, and when you see it, you know you’re almost home. It was my way of expressing hope that one day I might return."

Kateryna, meanwhile, hopes to rekindle her love of writing. Though she once dreamed of writing a children’s book, recent events have dampened her inspiration. "Some people say I should write about the war, but I’m not ready for that yet," she says. "Maybe one day, but for now, I just want to write down my thoughts and ideas without the weight of such a heavy matter."

Bringing cultures together

In addition to their personal projects, Yuliia and Kateryna have sought to use their creative talents for the community. They organise activities for the children at their shelter and dream of doing something bigger for the people of Brunssum. "We want to hold workshops, maybe organise an event or even host an exhibition," Kateryna says with excitement. "We’re even thinking about doing something that connects both Ukrainian and Dutch culture, so we can bring together the two worlds that now shape our lives."

Hope in uncertain times

Life in Brunssum has slowly but surely given them hope again. "At first, it was very hard," Yuliia admits. "That first year, I felt lost. We stayed indoors, watching the news, with no idea how long this would all last. But after a year, I realised I had to start living my life here too. I don’t want the war to take that from me."

The future remains uncertain for the two friends and Kateryna’s eight-year-old son. "I don’t have any big plans," Yuliia says. "I live day by day. Maybe we’ll travel more, visit family, and slowly try to rebuild our lives." Kateryna adds, "We want to do more in Brunssum, get involved, and connect with local businesses and citizens. Perhaps that’s how we’ll find a new purpose, a way to give back to the people who welcomed us so warmly."

Though the war has turned their lives upside down, Brunssum has given Yuliia and Kateryna a place to a new start. And while they continue to carry the pain of their past, they have also discovered something new: a feeling of home, far from home.