Last-Minute Holidays

How do you explain war to a child? It's a question that haunts mothers across Ukrainian cities, each grappling with how to shield their children from the harsh realities of conflict. Their solution? A delicate narrative of hope and resilience disguised as a "last-minute holiday" through Europe.

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From February to March 2022, I interviewed mothers from various Ukrainian cities alongside Siret's border crossing, and a common thread emerged: the need to preserve innocence amidst the chaos. "We tell our children we are going on a long trip through Europe," one mother shared, "a sort of last-minute holiday”.

These journeys, however, are far from leisurely vacations. Instead, they are fraught with uncertainty, punctuated by complex legislation in the countries where they seek refuge and stay in crowded shelters.

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As mothers navigate these treacherous journeys, they find themselves at a loss when confronted with the innocence-shattering question: "Where is Dad?" It's a question that pierces through the facade of adventure, revealing the painful truth of separation and loss.

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According to UNICEF, the scale of this crisis is staggering. In just one month, 4.3 million children have been displaced – a grim statistic echoing the mass movements seen during the darkest chapters of history, such as the Second World War.