Voice of Ukraine

From: Maia Mikhaluk in Kyiv (969th day) — After we finished watching The Rings of Power we decided to continue and rewatch The Hobbit. Tolkien’s world has always offered thought-provoking metaphors, but now, living in the realities of war, we see a lot in a new light. I already shared how the ugliness of ruzzian atrocities made the ugliness of orcs seem not that bad. I better understood Tolkien’s choice to portray evil in graphic ways that cause physical disgust.

While watching The Hobbit, I kept thinking that Bilbo Baggins was a symbolic image of Ukraine (Ukrainians). He is small, appears to be weak, he doesn’t have battle experience, and joins the unexpected journey reluctantly, but he is resilient, committed, and faithful and he becomes a key to the success of the mission. There is this episode where Galadriel is asking Gandalf why a hobbit was included in a group of dwarves who are going to reclaim their mountain:

Galadriel : Mithrandir? Why the Halfling?

Gandalf : I don’t know. Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I’ve found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.

It’s true, the world believes that it’s only great powers, like the USA, or NATO block that could stop ruzzia. The world believed Ukraine would be defeated in just a few days. But it’s Ukraine that is holding ruzzian invaders from becoming a threat to Europe. Of course, we couldn’t have done it without weapons from our Western partners, but it’s the courageous Ukrainian defenders who continue keeping darkness at bay. We pray and hope that Ukraine will bring the fall of the Colossus on clay feet, just like we helped with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.