When Russian Aggression Felt Real to Me
I grew up as a Cold War kid. We experienced nuclear raid drills. (Sort of a joke—we bent over our desks and covered our heads with our hands.) A farcical, disturbing movie, “The Russians Are Coming,” triggered a recurring nightmare for me where Russian/Soviet soldiers knocked on everyone’s doors and put polio braces on all the kids. Parents were coerced to submit. It was not contemporary propaganda, but rather the way my childhood subconscious processed the fear of a Soviet invasion and the crippling effects of polio.
In April 2016, I attended a Storytelling Conference at the SMK University in Vilnius, Lithuania as a keynote speaker. With my colleagues Claire Taylor (UK) and Doug Carter (Canada), who were also keynote speakers, I experienced a collision of history and current events. To our surprise and delight, we discovered a preserved medieval gem in Lithuania’s capital: it’s become a modern culture hub with vibrant fashion and high-tech economies. Trendy restaurants and night clubs populate the cobblestone streets.
During our visit, Lithuania was celebrating 20 years of freedom from Soviet rule. McDonald’s Nordic leader shared a perspective about how the company entered the market in 1996 … 35 years after the Big Mac entered my world. Historical evidence of Soviet rule permeated the architecture and society. 1960s barren housing blocks designed with function-over-form populated the rim of the center city. One local speaker from SMK shared a picture of his marriage certificate (issued under the USSR). Since the entity that certified his marriage no longer exists, he speculated, “Am I married?”
Over dinner, Claire, Doug, and I had wide ranging discussions about the outcomes of the Hillary Clinton-Donald Trump election and Brexit. At the time it was all hypothetical and speculative. We didn’t know then how those decisions would play out.
Through our interactions with Lithuanians, we discovered an entrepreneurial and educated population. Most Lithuanians are multilingual and educated. Since the country’s independence, they’ve invested in public education and are experiencing its benefits. Proud and grateful to be a part of NATO and the EU, they seemed exuberant about their prosperity but faced a lurking anxiety about their “Neighbor from the East.” Fear of Russian aggression cast a shadow over their optimism.
Diana Garlytska, a professor at SMK, escorted us around Vilnius and also shared a bit about her Ukrainian heritage. Charming, sophisticated, multilingual, intelligent, and hospitable, she made our visit special. Later, I became Facebook friends with her, and I followed her glamorous trips to Kiev. I wished I was 20+ years younger and could live her life!
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, I saw the places where Diana had posted playful moments with her friends devastated with bombs.
Now, as a volunteer at the PRISM food shelf, I interact with refugees from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Women and men of my age (late 60s) are starting over in Iife … in a strange culture … in a disadvantaged position. Before the invasion, they lived a secure and stable life, now they have to line up to get food.
My heart breaks for the Ukrainians affected by Putin’s aggression. But I also fear for my Lithuanian colleagues who hosted me for a memorable and heart-warming visit to their amazing country.