in the wake of intense conflict, ukraine's kharkiv region, once liberated, found itself thrust back into the front lines. a testament to this enduring spirit is a unique barbershop, aptly named 'durnyye golovy'.
while its conception stemmed from a single individual, the day-to-day operations are largely managed by its stylists, as the founder remains enlisted and frequently rotates to the front lines.
durnyye golovy: a fusion of military grit and personal expression
durnyye golovy distinguishes itself significantly from other barber establishments in kharkiv.
the dimly lit, spacious interior of the barbershop is a canvas adorned with an eclectic array of stickers. these range from emblems of military brigades to simple smiley faces and tokens gifted by friends. further personal touches include framed photographs of the founder, often referred to as kuzia, alongside his military unit, adorning the walls.
the ambiance is amplified by alternative music pulsating from the speakers.
strategically located underground, the establishment doubles as a bomb shelter. outside, a striking mural depicts a large white skull sporting a mohawk, with a spider subtly dangling from one eye, embodying a unique blend of defiance and artistic expression.
ksenia's perspective: navigating wartime trauma and camaraderie
within this unique setting, ksenia, one of the barbers, forms strong friendships with many soldiers.
she often engages in lighthearted banter with them, yet the pervasive horrors of war remain a constant, sobering presence in her mind.
she recounts instances where some of her clients have sustained injuries in combat. a particularly poignant memory is of a young soldier, just 19 years old, who was tragically killed shortly after she had cut his hair the previous spring.
as she speaks, her hood pulled up, ksenia expertly maneuvers an electric razor through the hair of vadym, a 24-year-old military medic. she pauses periodically, focusing intently on her task.
vadym's journey: from civilian life to military service and recovery
vadym's life was irrevocably altered when the war began.
he was a civilian residing in kharkiv when a russian grad missile impacted a street he was walking on in april. fragments of shrapnel pierced his left side, and one piece fractured his knee. following the injury, vadym was transported to a medical facility in the western city of lviv, where he underwent surgery to extract shrapnel lodged in his leg.
vadym recounts his injuries with a casual demeanor, punctuating his narrative with occasional expletives as he describes the traumatic experience.
confinement to his hospital bed rendered him dependent for basic necessities like using the bathroom or showering. he admits, "i had some really serious psychological problems, even though i was with my mother and was in the lviv region."
during this period, vadym was unable to visit the barbershop or attend to his personal grooming.
the difficulty in maintaining his appearance independently exacerbated the depression he experienced from his immobility. upon his discharge from the hospital, he returned to kharkiv, resuming his work as a medic and now dedicates his time to instructing both civilians and soldiers in first aid.
the bond between vadym and ksenia: finding solace in normalcy
vadym and ksenia first crossed paths in autumn of the previous year, and since then, no one else has been permitted to cut his hair.
their connection has blossomed into a genuine friendship. vadym shares that he feels a sense of calm and relaxation when he is with ksenia. he notes that after a haircut, he experiences a surge in confidence and a return to a feeling of normalcy, even during the most challenging moments of intense conflict, punctuated by the blare of air raid sirens.
a snapshot of ukrainian culture and resilience
beyond the barbershop narrative, the broader context of ukrainian society reveals a profound sense of resilience and adaptation.
the article touches upon various facets of modern ukrainian life, including fashion, culture, and lifestyle, highlighting the country's vibrant civil society and modern cultural landscape, characterized by a thriving arts scene, rave culture, and diverse forms of expression.
the piece also delves into the personal experiences of young ukrainians who have been mobilized or have otherwise contributed to the war effort.
it explores themes of national identity, freedom, and the generational legacy of conflict.
generations bearing the weight of history
the narrative broadens to encompass the experiences of three 25-year-old men: oleh, oleksandr, and vlad.
born in the twilight of the previous millennium, they came of age in a ukraine where aspirations for freedom were taking root, yet the shadows of a totalitarian and colonial past still lingered.
generations of suffering and loss preceded them, and it seemed they might be the ones to break these cycles of hardship. however, they now find themselves mirroring the destinies of their grandparents, bearing the burden of war, with an added layer of complexity: all three men are queer.
these three individuals have been thrust into a fight for their nation's survival.
even amidst the brutal realities of war, they acknowledge that the persecution they face feels tangible, specific, and uniquely cruel. the article references instances where two men were detained after russian soldiers discovered gay dating applications on their phones, with one subsequently taken to the woods and shot in the leg.
ukraine's liberal democracy versus russian repression
in stark contrast, ukraine is presented as a westernized, liberal democracy.
while acknowledging its own history of homophobia, particularly in the years following its independence from the soviet union in 1991, the article emphasizes that even during wartime, ukraine retains a strong civil society and a modern cultural identity.
this includes a vibrant arts scene, rave culture, and a diversity of personal expression.
the generational differences are further explored, with younger generations distancing themselves from the fears and restrictions of the soviet era, a past that imposed limitations and a sense of powerlessness.
this outlook inherently clashes with the values cultivated in russia, a country where dissent faces criminal prosecution, entrenched homophobia is prevalent, and civil rights are suppressed, reflecting a drive towards societal control and repression.
camaraderie and acceptance in the trenches
oleh recounts his initial deployment, surrounded by men as young as 19 or 20.
he reflects with a somber tone that many of them are no longer alive, acknowledging the razor-thin chances of survival. he stresses the importance of self-care, a sentiment echoed by many in his unit.
it was only after his region was liberated that oleh felt comfortable enough to openly come out to his comrades.
he exercised caution, mentioning his identity only when directly asked about a girlfriend or wife. the acceptance he received was notable. he shares, "i only mentioned it if someone asked about a girlfriend or wife. how does that work?" since then, oleh has been committed to challenging stereotypes and demonstrating that gay ukrainians are integral to the war effort.
his combat experience eventually concluded in the spring of the previous year with his demobilization, following periods of fighting in sumy and later in zaporizhzhya, after relentless russian bombardments leveled his city.
he notes the consistent acceptance he received from his comrades: "everywhere he went, his comrades accepted him the same way. they always took it in stride. the main thing is to do your job well."
vlad's experience: finding authenticity amidst the chaos
in his sector of the battlefield, vlad was compelled to adopt a more pragmatic approach.
he recounts a harrowing experience while huddled in a trench during a fierce russian assault. despite the constant threat to his life, he found that he could still be himself. the exhaustion of concealing his identity was immense, but even in the direst circumstances, the ability to be authentic provided a measure of solace.
the narrative concludes by emphasizing the profound personal struggles and the unwavering resilience of individuals like vlad, who strive to maintain their sense of self amidst the brutal realities of war.