Egor Taranov 15, male from Kharkiv

My name is Antonina. I was born and raised in Kharkiv. My childhood was full of movement: I lived in a private house, spent a lot of time outdoors, running, playing with friends, and climbing trees. My parents and I often rode bicycles, went on hikes, and enjoyed skiing and ice skating in winter. Sports have always been an important part of my life—especially badminton, which I played every summer.  

From an early age, I loved reading books and watching their film adaptations. Over time, this passion grew into writing my own stories. I enjoyed creating new plots inspired by my favorite characters and sharing them with others. Eventually, I also became interested in video editing and started posting my work online.  

When the war started, everything changed. That day, my mom was far away, while my dad and I were in Kharkiv. I woke up to explosions, and the city I knew so well turned into a war zone. Staying there became too dangerous. Little by little, we adapted to a new reality full of anxiety and unexpected decisions. My family and I helped people in need, collecting supplies for people who had lost everything.  

Because of the war, I had to switch to remote learning. I miss real-life conversations, walks with friends, and a normal school life. But I try to adapt: I write more, study programming, and continue playing sports.  

Before the war, we traveled a lot, visited museums, and explored different cultures. Now, that’s no longer possible, but I believe that one day, I’ll be able to travel again. Life has changed, but I don’t want to lose the things that make me who I am—my curiosity, my love for creativity, and my determination to keep moving forward.

Thank you for your attention, I hope you found it interesting.