Three Years in Austria: Interview mit Oleksandr Dmytrenko
Who are you? How has your life changed since the invasion and your moving to Austria?
I, Oleksandr Dmytrenko, am a Ukrainian artist (painting, drawing, sculpture, performance), scholar (history and theory of fine arts), teacher of artistic disciplines, professional jazz musician (guitar, double bass), active concert performer, bandleader. I am a winner of art awards and international jazz festivals.
I arrived in Austria on June 1, 2022, to continue my professional creative and scientific activities in proper conditions. In connection with the outbreak of the Russian war against Ukraine, I used the help of the Office Ukraine. I came to Graz to continue my professional activity under the conditions of the urgent protection of Ukrainians in Austria. Practically, my life has not changed compared to how I lived in Ukraine before the invasion. Of course, except for the fact that I am in a different language environment, in a different apartment (albeit a comfortable one and one that corresponds to the conditions I lived in in Ukraine). To a certain extent, the forms of communication with artistic, state, public organizations, educational institutions, relatives and friends who are now in Ukraine have also changed. In my opinion, the fact of a long and brutal war has radically changed the lives of Ukrainians, no matter where they are. But in terms of professional activities (creativity, research, online teaching, masterclasses for students and pupils) life is going on as usual.
How often do you visit Ukraine and why is it important for you?
Of course, it is extremely important for me to be able to visit Ukraine for a short time. First of all, it is necessary for the implementation of professional tasks and duties (I am the head of the Kyiv regional organisation of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, a member of the advisory institutions of Ukrainian regional local governments (Kyiv region, Kyiv, Bila Tserkva). My trips to Ukraine are related to the work of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, opening of exhibitions and concerts in Ukraine, publishing academic papers, and preparing other legal documents when my presence in Ukraine is required. These infrequent visits to Ukraine (once a year) are important for maintaining and developing artistic and academic contacts between Austria and Ukraine and are an integral part of cultural, ‘people-to-people’ diplomacy. The dangers associated with the war on the one hand, and certain financial and legal restrictions for persons under temporary protection in Austria on the other hand, make my visits to Ukraine very rare and only in cases of extreme organizational necessity and in full compliance with the established rules and regulations for the movement of persons under temporary protection in Austria. In my opinion, liberalization of permits (terms, conditions) for the movement of Ukrainians in need of urgent protection would be appropriate and would not threaten Austria’s financial and political security. Freedom of movement would improve the psychological state of people who suffer from the horrors of war and are forced to stay away from their country and their families. At the same time, it should be noted that the restrictions on the movement of Ukrainians (primarily men) abroad, which were imposed by the Ukrainian government and are currently in place, equally complicate the situation and often lead to stressful situations, psychological trauma, and family problems. This should be of concern to the governments of Austria, Ukraine, and other countries that are partners of Ukraine. This is my impression, which arose during my recent observations.
What new connections have you already found in Austria?
Literally from the first days of my stay in Austria in Graz and up to now, I have been able to actively communicate with various institutions, organizations, agencies, and individual colleagues in academia and art (museums, galleries, artists’ associations, music groups, academical and educational institutions, individual artists, musicians). I have the opportunity to realize my creative plans, and musical ideas, and conduct academic research. In this regard, I have full mutual understanding and active communication with colleagues and institutions in Austria. In addition, in past years, I even received a scholarship from the Austrian government to continue my artistic work. Personally, my situation is complicated by the fact that I am already 65 years old, which narrows the employment market for me as an employee in the field of education, and culture. At the same time, I am grateful for Austria’s care for the elderly, and thanks to this support, I also enjoy transport privileges from institutions for the elderly (so-called ‘Senioren’).
What do you think about the future in Austria? Do you want to live here, do you feel connected to the country, and do you feel threatened by the possible changes to residence permits for Ukrainians?
In my answer to the previous question, I mentioned that I am already over the age of 65, so this certainly determines my possibilities and plans for staying in Austria. However, it is the ongoing war in Ukraine that is the main factor for me when thinking about the future. Now I am very active in creativity, and research, and I am in contact with Austrian cultural institutions, artists, teachers, and musicians. I feel comfortable in the Austrian cultural space. In my opinion, today I am a part of the cultural space of Austria and Graz. I try to do as much as I can to enrich cultural relations, contacts, and exchanges between Ukraine and Austria. I do not see any threat to me personally from possible changes in residence permits for Ukrainians. If the residence permits for Ukrainians are restricted and I am forced to leave Austria, I will leave it only out of gratitude for the help provided! If I have the opportunity to return to Ukraine, I will bring back to my country a lot of useful impressions, thoughts, ideas for implementation, a lot of new useful and necessary contacts with Austrian artistic and scientific institutions, and individual cultural and artistic figures. I will undoubtedly bring to Ukraine a part of Austria’s cultural life because today I am also a part of Austria (hopefully a cultural one…). If my return to Ukraine is complicated for some time and I have to leave Austria, I will sincerely thank Austria and will be happy to create, research, study, teach, and play music in a country that will not consider me superfluous, and maybe even essential to some extent.
© The Schubidu Quartet