How NOT to flee a war: Leeds alumna and journalist to give talk about fleeing Kyiv
Maria Romanenko will return to the University of Leeds tomorrow afternoon
Award-winning Ukrainian journalist and Leeds alumna, Maria Romanenko, will return to the University of Leeds tomorrow afternoon to deliver a talk about her experience fleeing Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
Maria and her partner, Jez Myers, will both give the talk, titled, ‘How NOT to Flee a War’. It will provide a first-hand illustrated account of their journey out of Kyiv in the early days of the invasion in February 2022.
The couple travelled for 23 hours through the Polish border as they attempted to reach safety. The talk is expected to explore the decisions they made, the challenges they encountered, and how close their escape came to going wrong. It will also include exclusive images taken during their journey.
The talk aims to give attendees a clearer understanding of what it was like to be in Ukraine at the start of the war. The former Leeds student will present both serious reflections and lighter moments, aiming it at a general audience.
Since studying mathematics and Soviet studies at the University of Leeds, Maria has built a career in journalism, working with international outlets such as the BBC, ITV, ABC News, and Sky News.
From 2018 to 2020, she served as Editor-in-Chief of Hromadske International, an English-language Ukrainian news outlet.
Since the start of the war, Maria has worked to document and share experiences from Ukraine through her journalism and public speaking. In addition to her media work, she has been active in supporting Ukrainians living abroad.
The alumna has organised free walking tours in Ukrainian, campaigned, raised funds, and helped raise international awareness of the situation.
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In recognition of her voluntary efforts, Maria recently became the first Ukrainian recipient of the UK Prime Minister’s Points of Light award, which honours outstanding individual volunteers.
Speaking ahead of the event, Maria said: “I’m returning to Leeds later this month to give a very personal talk at the university.
“It’s an emotional, raw, and often darkly funny account of what my partner and I experienced when fleeing Kyiv in the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion.”
Maria added that it would mean a lot to have student voices there as the talk is an opportunity for attendees to hear a unique, personal account of the invasion.
This is the first time How NOT to Flee a War will be presented in Leeds.
The event will take place on Wednesday 30th April from 4:30pm to 6:00pm, now in Baines Wing (seminar room 1.13) due to overwhelming demand. Attendance is free and open to all.
Featured Image via Facebook
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