Suns and Clouds

M.’s hands carry both the suns of hope and the clouds of challenge as she rebuilds her life in Greece. Through cooking and daily rituals, she preserves her Ukrainian heritage while embracing a future full of courage and connection.

STORIES FROM GREECE

6/12/20261 min read

Today, she works as a cook on a boat, a role that reflects both her strength and her creativity. Cooking is more than a profession for her; it is also a way of caring, connecting, and preserving memory. Through food, she keeps a living link with Ukraine, where traditions are often passed from one generation to the next around the table. The preparation of dishes, the sharing of bread, the warmth of soup, and the rituals of family meals are all part of the intangible cultural heritage she continues to carry. Traditions such as Easter gatherings, festive cooking, and the importance of hospitality remain part of her identity, even far from home.

M.’s story is a reminder that even when clouds appear, the sun can still find its way through.

M.’s story is one of courage, movement, and hope. Coming from Ukraine and living in Greece for more than ten years, she carries within her a journey shaped by both light and difficulty, by the “suns” that gave her strength and the “clouds” that tested her along the way.

She left Ukraine in search of a better future, with the quiet determination of someone willing to begin again. Migration, for M., was not only a change of country, but a transformation of everyday life. It meant leaving behind familiar places, loved ones, and the reassuring rhythm of home, while learning how to build a new life in a different environment. Like many women who move across borders, she had to hold both uncertainty and resilience at the same time.

In her drawing, these emotions appear clearly. The suns represent the opportunities, hopes, and moments of joy that have illuminated her path. The clouds, however, remind us that this journey was not without struggle. They symbolize the fears, challenges, and emotional weight of adapting to a new country, language, and reality. Yet, M.’s story does not remain in darkness. It moves forward with energy, color, and life.

HERS

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