Memories of Korostyshiv

Several years ago my parents moved from Kyiv in Ukraine to the small town of Korostyshiv to retire there. This quiet beautiful town is located in the northwest of Ukraine and is known for its striking nature and rich history. The first mention of this town’s existence dates back to 1495. It began as a small settlement and gradually grew into an important administrative unit in the area. Korostyshiv stands on rich granite deposits and the rock outcrops and the Teteriv River gives the town its special charm and picturesque color.

The Korostyshiv fjord-like granite canyon and spectacular flooded Korostyshiv Quarry are especially popular. These unique places are favoured for recreation and are beautiful places to visit. Tourists often come there to enjoy the picturesque views of the turquoise water and pine forest. Often these locations are used for filming music videos and feature films and local residents traditionally come to the canyon to take bright colorful photos for their wedding.

There are many historical monuments in the city. One example is the monument to Gustav Olizar, a Polish poet and the most famous owner of Korostyshiv. Under him, the city experienced a golden age. Prior to that the city housed the Olizar Palace and before the revolution, it housed collections of works by Polish artists of the eighteenth century, as well as medieval documents and letters. Unfortunately, the palace was destroyed and only four columns and the former bathhouse of the palace remain.

In Korostyshiv, there is an Orthodox church as well as a Catholic church and in the center of the city, in the House of Culture, is the spectacular Korostyshiv People’s History Museum. The exhibits there tell all about the history of this region from ancient times to the present day. There are several beautiful parks with a myriad of intriguing sculptures throughout this magical city.

Brilliant examples, that I have viewed, are the romantic sculptures like the “kissing stones” or the Statue of Christ, which is located in the upper part of the park. Below it one can see a cut stone fish that “bathes” in a stream of water. These sculptures are the work of renowned sculpturist Vitally Rozhik. Thanks to these creative works the city came to life and acquired a “zest” as they say.

My parents really loved living in this city and we, their children and grandchildren, enjoyed visiting them and going to the forest and walking around the city. Once, on a visit, I accidentally got to the middle of the celebration of the City Day Korostyshiv. There were a lot of people on the main street and children’s ensembles performed songs and dances in the main square. Tables with food were throughout the street and passers-by could try a variety of delicious dishes for free or for a little money. There was a wonderful atmosphere and parents and their friends were there with us also. It was August; it was warm, sunny and joyful.

Then, in 2022, when Russia attacked Ukraine, many young people from all parts of Ukraine found themselves at the front and the city of Korostyshiv was no exception. Every time a soldier is lost in this war the residents mourn each fallen soul from this war as if he were a relative and take to the streets to salute him. At the beginning of the war, my parents evacuated the city, but after a while they decided to return back home. When there was a relative calm, they hoped and prayed that the war would end.

My parents have their own small flower garden and a vegetable garden and a few chickens. It gives them something to do and they love their home. It cannot be said that returning home was safe, because over time, missile strikes on Ukraine have become more frequent and no one can guess where a missile or its debris will hit, or where the destruction will occur. It is a nightmare.

On the night of May 25, 2025, the city of Korostyshiv suffered from a brutal combined attack, houses were destroyed and damaged. No one slept that night and in the morning, the residents of the city were shocked by the news of dead children. There were three of them and all children were tragically from the same family. Their parents survived, but are in serious condition in the hospital.

The children who died that terrible night studied at the Gustav Olizar Lyceum. Lyceums are specialized secondary education schools that field specific secondary education.

The eldest of the three was 17 years old and his name was Roman. His younger sister Tamara was 12 years old, and their younger brother Stanislav was only 8 years old. A few days after the tragedy, Roman was supposed to celebrate his graduation from the lyceum. He was waiting for this day with hope and dreams. The younger children were supposed to have a happy childhood and a life full of events, meetings, impressions and discoveries.

I remembered my son’s school graduation and my heart sank with sadness at the thought that neither Roman nor any other children who have died in this awful war will be able to attend school celebrations, sit at a desk next to their classmates and dream about the future. Teachers and students of the lyceum, where the victims studied, are expressing their grief and raising funds to help the affected family.

On that terrible night, massive attacks were carried out in many cities of Ukraine. In the Kyiv region, four people were killed, sixteen were injured, in the city of Kyiv, eleven were injured and civilian infrastructure was destroyed. Kharkiv, Ternopil, Nikolaev and other cities shook from the sounds of rockets and there were victims.

My nieces live in Kyiv and are finishing school and going to leave the country to continue their studies in a safe place. Before leaving, the girls really want to visit their grandparents should there be an opportunity. After all, with all this uncertainty, no one knows how their lives will turn out. After sleepless nights from the sounds of explosions and heartbreaking news, Ukrainians continue to live their normal lives, each time hoping that this nightmare will not happen again. People need a sense of security in order to plan their future with a calm heart, create new families and enjoy every day.

Life goes on, no matter what. Wars, diseases and disasters should not break us, but they make us think about what leads to such consequences and how to prevent their further destructive effects on humanity.

In the small town of Korostyshiv last weekend it was a warm sunny day. Jasmine has bloomed in my parents’ garden. I adore its aroma and peonies are about to bloom, blooms that my parents always gave me peonies for my birthday, on Children’s Day. I really want fresh flowers to always stand on their table.

I wish everyone peace!

Author’s Note

Instead of celebrating the last day of school, the students of the lyceum went to the cemetery, to the graves of their dead classmates. “They brought toys, cards... and even pieces of cake, because yesterday was supposed to be Tamara’s 13th birthday. But now instead of balloons - candles of memory, instead of congratulations - tears...”, - the lyceum noted.

This is the story of one city but since the war began many children have died in other cities and of course it is terrible. This story touched me very deeply because my father, my grandmother and other relatives are from these places, I know what kind of people live there and how they perceive other people’s grief. I am very sorry that people are forced to experience all this.

I hesitated to touch on this topic deeply, but in this case it is connected with the city of my parents, with which I have many memories. The tragedy that happened to the children happened on the street where my childhood friend used to live and where I used to visit her house. That is why I chose to share my personal thoughts on this event, an event that evoked in me many associations with my parents, the city, my son and memories of how we were all there together before the war.