مؤلف: Brigitte Schulze

The German journalist and book author Brigitte Schulze was professionally active in Ukraine for more than twenty-five years. She began in Kiev as a freelance ­correspondent for numerous German media. Then, as a consultant for media ­policies, she promoted the ­professional development of ­journalists in Ukraine. In ­Odessa, she served several years as an advisor for ­cultural ­promotion and tourism. For her dedicated commitment to the presenta­tion of an authentic picture of Ukraine to the rest of the world, in her travel guides and other publications, the ­Council for ­Tourism and Health Resorts in Kiev awarded her the title of ­Ambassador for ­Ukrainian ­Tourism. Repeatedly in the past, she had plans to leave ­Ukraine but a new, interesting project always ­detained her. When the ­conflict in East Ukraine began, she was in action again, this time as an ­observer with the ­Organization for ­Security and ­Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Her precise observations and, in particular, her numerous personal ­contacts with the people in Ukraine give her a profound ­understanding of the country. In her travel books she describes ­her encounters with the Ukrainian people and country with ­sensitivity and empathy. Now, in this book, she presents a very personal view of her life and ­experiences in Ukraine. She intensively experienced the development of ­Ukraine during the years before and since ­independence in 1991. This makes her anecdotes and reports about this country so authentic.