In early March 2022, I was out on an errand in the city of Kyiv when the air raid sirens sounded. I had to head towards the nearest available bunker, which was inside an underground Metro station, and joined the flow of other Ukrainians around the area as we sought shelter from the incoming bombardment. There was no way of predicting how long the air raid might last - it could be anywhere between 20 minutes and 20 hours.
It was then that I noticed an elderly gentleman carrying a small suitcase. My first thought was, how many days was he planning to stay down here?
As we huddled together in anticipation of another bombing, fear and anxiety took over, and most of us were busy doom-scrolling the endless coverage of the war on our smartphones. The elderly gentleman, however, unpacked his suitcase and unfolded it into an accordion. And he began to play.
His music filled the cold and dank shelter. The traditional Ukrainian melody captured our attention, and we looked away from our phones. A feeling of calm and comfort transcended the chaos around us. It was the warmth that we desperately needed.
LIVING IN A WAR ZONE
This story is from the August 2023 edition of Her World Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2023 edition of Her World Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Looking Ahead
Here are three national policies that are making an impact on our lives.
How Did Some Of The World's Iconic Chronographs Become So Famous?
Karishma Tulsidas answers.
What Are Some Fun And Interesting Ways To Wear A Leather Jacket?
Lena Kamarudin answers.
Is My Adult Acne Caused By Hormonal Changes?
Quinn Chen answers.
Is It Ever A Good Idea To Engage In Online Discourse?
Sarah Bagharib answers.
Breaking Down The Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid
Here's why this popular skincare ingredient is a potent fix for dehydrated complexions.
Heritage in a Bottle
Crafted by Swiss perfumer Christine Nagel, Barenia is the first chypre fragrance from Hermes, a seductive scent that is a dance between the delicate butterfly lily and the vibrant burst of miracle berry.
BEST IN CLASS
MOVING AWAY FROM INTRODUCING ENTIRELY NEW PRODUCTS, BRANDS SUCH AS SHISEIDO, CLE DE PEAU BEAUTE AND SULWHASOO HAVE CHOSEN TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD TO ELEVATE TRIED-AND-TRUE FORMULAS. THESE ICONIC CLASSICS ARE MORE EFFICACIOUS AND LUXURIOUS THAN BEFORE.
Sneak Peek
We've got our sights set on these new must-haves that promise to breathe new life into tired-looking eyes.
ACTS OF SERVICE
Beauty brands are enticing customers with a range of in-store treatments and services that offer expert tips, demonstrations and pampering.
