Hope for War Ending Soon Echoes in Maidan Nezalezhnosti

Sergei (22) is among them. Dressed in a red pig costume, he offered to take pictures with tourists and fellow residents who were visiting the square. He did not charge a fee when tourists asked to take a photo with him.

KOMPAS/HARRY SUSILO

A resident holds one of the replicas of the Ukrainian flag that was planted near Maidan Plaza, Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday (12/6/2022).

A flock of gray doves flew high in the sky over Maidan Nezalezhnosti, or Independence Square, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday (12/6/2022). The birds seemed to be encouraging the local residents as they attended to their activities in the field to be strong in continuing with their lives, even though they were difficult and full of steep roads due to the ongoing war.

Even though day-to-day life has not yet fully recovered, the bustling citizens who packed the square on that day brought new enthusiasm and hope to Kyiv. This was especially so for those residents whose livelihoods depend on the tourists who come to the square.