Many of us feel uncertainty, anxiety and fear these days. Some are worried about the life and health of their loved ones in Ukraine. Others are terrified that they will be spit in the back just because they are from Russia. And no one will care that he or she is against the war and does not support Putin's policies. Still others, from Belarus, do not understand at all why their country was drawn into the war.
Director of the Skazka Russian School in Amsterdam, Marina Lubberding, extends a helping hand to anyone who feels helpless and desperate, and offers to meet at school on Saturdays from 10.00 to 13.00 - just to talk.
“There are many Russians in the Netherlands who have never supported the official policy of the Kremlin and who are now experiencing a range of feelings: from helplessness, despair to shame for Russian aggression against Ukraine, fear for their future, their relatives and friends in Russia, sincere compassion for Ukrainians and other victims of Russian military interventions,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
“In recent days, these people have received a huge portion of unkind treatment from Europeans, since many naively do not realize that not every Russian supports the policies of his government. And they have long experienced hatred and attacks from their pro-Putin members of the diaspora.
To all such Russians, as well as Ukrainians and all friends who support Ukraine, I offer our school in Amsterdam on Saturdays as a meeting place where you can just come and talk over a cup of tea / coffee, find like-minded people, a friendly shoulder. You can organize thematic meetings, lectures, debates, offer each other help, etc.”
School address: Noorderakerweg 2, 1069 PC Amsterdam.
Link to Marina's page Facebook.
