Remembering the Flowers: A Personal Call to Action for Ukraine

In the fall of 2024, I traveled east to the frontlines. As the city faded behind me and the bombed-out villages receded, all that remained were the bare fields of sunflowers. The headless stems stood tilted in different directions, reminiscent of a vast cemetery. And yet, this desolate landscape was illuminated by the occasional blooming flower that sprouted after the reaper had taken its harvest.

I keep thinking about flowers on the battlefields as I think about Ukraine. Ukraine has forged its identity through centuries of attempts by larger powers to erase it. And yet, it has always regenerated itself in one form or another. Borderland places have deep roots, nourished by multiple histories, strengthening their sense of self and enriching their culture.

My Ukraine Fundraiser

Still, it’s hard to avoid feeling despair and anger given the current situation. I’m channeling my energy into preparing for my trip to Ukraine and my fundraiser for Kyiv’s Children Art School. The school works with children traumatized by war and provides them with free art classes and a safe space. The money donated is converted into art supplies that children can use right away to learn new skills and heal.

If you’re interested in helping, your donation will be much appreciated. To Donate in USD. To Donate in EUR. If you’re interested to participate in my seminar on Ukrainian perfumery broadcast from Ukraine on March 14th, via Zoom, 12pm EST, the proceeds will go to the art school. To Join Seminar.

You can follow updates about my Ukrainian trip and fundraiser via my Instagram: @boisdejasmin

In the meantime, there are other ways in which you can help Ukraine.

Donate to a cause that speaks to you.

• • • Harvard University has compiled a particularly comprehensive list: Lists of places to donate and ways to help.
    • Ukraine Institute London also has an excellent list: What can you do to support Ukraine & Ukrainians?
    • Comprehensive list of ways foreigners can help
    • Bake for Ukraine

  — an organization that secures the local food supply by supporting local bakeries and farmers mainly in the zones most affected by the war.

  • • Razom for Ukraine

  –they respond to the war by providing critical humanitarian war relief and recovery depending on the most urgent needs. They have detailed lists on their website of what they are focused on delivering, including tactical medicine items, hospital supplies, etc.

• • • United Ukrainian American Relief Committee
    • The Kyiv Independent

  –support the independent Ukrainian English-language journalism.

  • The Ukrainian Museum in New York City
  • The Ukrainian Institute
  • Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University
  • A unique animal charity recommended by our reader Sofie. “A charity in Kherson, Warriors of Wildlife, https://www.warriorsofwildlife.org/ukraine-war/ is run by one man (Lional de Lange) , sometimes with volunteers, and a small group of Ukrainian elderly who don’t want to leave Kherson and the many animals there. Lionel de Lange is quite desperate as it is very hard to feed the animals because donations have gotten more sparse in the course of the war, and generally people’s financial situations often being difficult. He will never leave the animals, but he is not young and his health is not good, and he often risks his life as the drones in Kherson are really horrible, following people and animals so quickly that escape is almost impossible.” Please support Warriors of Wildlife.

Communicate your support for Ukraine to your political leaders. This makes a major difference.

How to Contact Your Elected Officials

Every U.S. citizen has one Representative and two Senators, all of whom can be contacted through various methods. Here are the most effective ways to reach them:

• Call their office  This is usually the most direct and effective approach. You might speak with a staffer or get voicemail (though voicemail boxes can sometimes be full).
• Send an email   Less impactful than a call, but still worth doing. Many legislators have contact forms on their official websites.
• Mail a letter   A traditional but slower method. Still, it’s very effective.

See an example message here, but keep in mind that you need to edit it to update it (the war has been going on for 3 years already, not 8 months, as in this example).

Take part in a local action

• Contact your representatives in your country

Learn about Ukraine and its culture.

There are many reading lists online, and I will add my own later. The list by the historian Serhii Plokhy is very good: Five Books.

My book The Rooster House is not about the current war, but it explains the context in which it takes place. I also recommend this podcast to learn about Ukraine and its identity: The Ukrainian identity (with Lydia Tomkiw)

• • Twitter accounts to follow – scholars: @channelljustice, @SPlokhy, @Oleh_kotsyuba  @dobczansky, @ksvarnon, @OKhromeychuk, @OxanaShevel, @darelasn, @JesZychowicz, @HJColeman68, @tanyalokot, @oonuch, @UmlandAndreas, @ykomska, @Marusiasays, @steven_seegel, @JohnVsetecka
  • Twitter and Instagram accounts to follow – art:  @ukr_arthistory, @honchar.museum @pyrohiv.museum
  • Instagram accounts – crafts, cuisine: @vydymonevydymo @klopotenko, @olia.hercules
  • There are many other accounts, of course. I’m mentioning my personal favorites and I will be adding more to the list over time.

In Conclusion

I urge you to notice beauty. Beauty in the moment. Beauty in nature. Beauty that cannot be erased or destroyed. That kind of beauty exists within us, too. Some call divine, others natural. Being mindful of it—through whatever channels speak to you, whether art, books, writing, cooking, perfume, or gardening—makes you remarkably resilient.

That’s why I will always remember the flowers on the frontlines—and never give up hope.

Photography by Bois de Jasmin, from the frontlines.