Kyiv resident Leonid Dobryansky arrived in Ireland in March 2022. He currently resides in Cork. In an interview with "Kashтан NEWS," he shared his impressions of life in this country. Our interviewee is 71 years old, a geologist by education, a candidate of sciences, and he worked for a long time in Kyiv at the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Mr. Leonid, while preparing for our conversation, we learned from archival media publications that you were one of those who actively participated in the activities of independent public movements and organizations in Ukraine in the late 1980s. Together with like-minded individuals, you, in particular, created an organization called "Heritage."
The Soviet Empire was already collapsing, and for us, young scientists, it was a clear signal that Ukrainians needed to more actively rid themselves of totalitarian shackles. I recall that in November 1988, a mass rally titled "Ecology and Us" took place in Kyiv, where attention was drawn to the detrimental consequences of the Soviet regime's destruction of nature, and more broadly, to ecocide. Later, when Ukraine's independence was proclaimed, I believed that "street protest democracy" was coming to an end, and it was necessary for the parliament to engage in work by adopting relevant laws. Therefore, I immersed myself in my geological science, especially since my doctoral dissertation was approaching. However, circumstances turned out such that I did not write my dissertation, despite my efforts (smiles – Ed.).
0Ultimately, fate had it that after the onset of large-scale Russian aggression, you found yourself in the distant Irish city of Cork. What prompted you to make this move?
This story has deep roots. Once, in a Kyiv school, my daughter's English teacher was a Brit, a true native speaker, who was also a great admirer of Irish culture. After graduating from university, my daughter Nadiya went to Ireland to pursue a second degree. When the major war began, she suggested that we, her parents, move to Ireland. 2022 became a year of great trials for our family – four months after the start of the aggression, my wife passed away. Today, we live with my daughter in Cork; she is engaged in historical science, studying archives, and writing a dissertation on the civil war in Northern Ireland. Our son lives in Kyiv.
And why was Cork chosen? Did your daughter live there?
No. Initially, in May 2022, a volunteer's family provided us with shelter in this city. Later, in London, my daughter's academic supervisor helped us find accommodation in Cork through her parents. We live in a church service apartment (a facility of the Protestant church).
You might find it interesting that today in Cork, there are two categories of Ukrainians. The first is the diaspora or diaspora members, who have been here for over 20 years. The second and largest group is refugees. They appeared after February 24, 2022. Moreover, these are not just war refugees, but individuals to whom Ireland has granted special status – temporary protection.
Where do Ukrainians live in Cork?
Mostly in hotels, church facilities, and private homes of Irish people, whose rental costs are compensated by the state. I have heard that many hotels in Cork, where Ukrainians used to stay, are now empty – people have either returned to Ukraine or are looking for other accommodations.
1Are there government assistance programs for our refugees in Ireland?
Yes. The main assistance comes in the form of so-called "maintenance funds." Initially, as a pensioner, I received 250 euros per week. Later, when they asked to declare the value of pension payments in Ukraine, this financial aid was slightly reduced. There are free transportation services (trains, buses). Nadiya receives a scholarship as a researcher. As for utility services, we pay for them ourselves.
During this time, have you adapted to life in Ireland, to the local climate?
I think so. In general, the answer to the question depends on how well you know English. In Ukraine, I had no need to master this language well, so I forgot it. Here, I had to attend language courses. Besides English, I am also learning Irish.
Is the Ukrainian community in Cork cohesive and friendly?
There is interaction among Ukrainians; they do not turn away from each other. By the way, at the request of the Institute of National Memory of Ukraine, I recorded the stories of our refugees who fled here from the war (in total, about forty such recordings, which also include those about diaspora members). On Ukraine's Independence Day, we collected charitable funds for the military.
Today, Ukrainians in Cork have several of their own associations, organizations, structures, or projects. We have the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (the priest is Father Roman). Since Christmas last year, weekly services have been held in Douglas.
In Cork, there is a volunteer organization called "Southern Headquarters," which mainly unites Ukrainian diaspora members (the leader is Viktor Danilyuk). They regularly assist the Ukrainian army and also provide humanitarian aid to residents of liberated territories in Ukraine. Last autumn, 2022, they started a project – a Ukrainian Sunday school.
The Polish diaspora, together with the Irish, established an organization called "Together4Ukraine" for Ukrainians in Cork at the beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression, focusing on the service sector (the leader is Svitlana Zakharova). They offer English language courses, psychological support for mothers, and simultaneously provide recreational activities for their children. There are also regular Ukrainian-language consultations for Ukrainians on all issues. Weekly meetings for Ukrainian pensioners are called "Grandparents Together" (by the way, I am one of the active participants).
At St. Peter's Church, a Ukrainian community was registered in 2022, the first project of which was the Ukrainian choir "Kalyna." The leader and conductor of the choir is Svitlana Deikun. This is the first project of Ukrainian refugees. I also sing in the choir.
2Where and in what jobs do Ukrainians in Cork work?
As cleaners, in pizzerias, hotels, and hospitals – this applies to those who have poor English skills.
How do the Irish view our people?
Positively.
Do they ask about the war?
Yes.
Do you miss Ukraine, Kyiv?
I am immersed in my creative activities, writing books, so sometimes it feels like I am in Kyiv. This year, I published a book about the Ukrainian community in Cork. We, former active participants of the "Heritage" organization, began collecting materials about the public movements in Kyiv that preceded Ukraine's independence. Several oral video interviews have already been recorded. I have reissued my memories of those times.
In your opinion, do Ukrainians have the desire to return to their homeland?
If you informally asked them about this, probably about 80 percent would say they would stay here in Ireland. Among my acquaintances, fewer than ten people have returned to Ukraine.
The conversation was conducted by Leonid FROSEVYCH, Svitlana KOVALYOVA