In a village in northern Ukraine that was devastated by Russian attacks and occupation forces only months ago, a techno party in a bombed-out building brought together more than 200 young people who have found a novel way to help rebuild a shattered community.
Volunteers In Ukraine Use Techno Parties To Rebuild Villages Destroyed By Russian Attacks
- By RFE/RL
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A DJ pumps out the beats, as volunteers from a "cleanup rave" organized by the Repair Together Initiative rebuild a cultural center that was destroyed by a Russian missile strike in the village of Yahidne.
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Hundreds of volunteers have joined in to clean up and repair damaged buildings.
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The "cleanup rave" was the group's eighth project so far.
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"Volunteering is my life now," said Tanya Buryanova, an organizer with the Repair Together initiative. She added, "I like electronic music and I used to party. But now it's wartime and we want to help, and we're doing it with music."
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The once-thriving club scene in Ukraine abruptly came to a halt on February 24 with the Russian invasion. In the midst of curfews and missile attacks, Ukraine's rave culture has sought innovative ways to combine the happiness and freedom of a music festival with aiding in the nation's reconstruction.
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The majority of the volunteers were in their 20s and 30s and came from Kyiv, which was roughly a two-hour drive away. Some of the volunteers came from Germany, the United States, Portugal, and other nations.
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Local resident Nina, 68, said she spent weeks living in a basement before Russian troops withdrew and that 11 people died as a result of the poor conditions. She was grateful to see young people coming together to help the village recover.
"They already repaired our windows, doors, and entrances," Nina said of the volunteers. “We couldn't do it ourselves with our salaries or pensions. I'm thankful that they helped us.”
"They already repaired our windows, doors, and entrances," Nina said of the volunteers. “We couldn't do it ourselves with our salaries or pensions. I'm thankful that they helped us.”
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According to DJ Oleksandr Buchinskiy, the volunteers share a sense of responsibility and optimism.
"These are all young people who still have a passion for life, but they feel pain and are very sad and angry because of the war," Buchinskiy said. "But they feel a need to take part in this historical moment and help people and make Ukraine a better place with a smile on their faces."
"These are all young people who still have a passion for life, but they feel pain and are very sad and angry because of the war," Buchinskiy said. "But they feel a need to take part in this historical moment and help people and make Ukraine a better place with a smile on their faces."
