At the Fedir Potushniak Zakarpattia Regional Universal Science Library, a screening of Antonio Lukich’s documentary How I Spent My Summer Holidays? took place as part of the 22nd Travelling Docudays UA International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival in Zakarpattia.

The event brought viewers together for a frank conversation with the director about childhood, the war, and the strength of the human spirit. The screening was organised by the regional coordinators of the Travelling Festival in Zakarpattia: Mariia Symkovych, Mariia Mendzhul, and Lesia Nosenko, together with Yevheniia Napuda. They succeeded in creating an atmosphere of sincerity and trust, where everyone present could share their own feelings and thoughts.

Childhood that continues despite the war

Lukich’s film immerses the viewer in the everyday lives of Ukrainian schoolchildren whose lives have been changed by the war. Despite sirens, shelters, and loss, these children continue studying, making friends, dreaming — and simply being children.

“This film set out to show what it means to be a schoolchild in Ukraine. And even for me, it revealed new emotions — a sense of adults’ guilt towards childhood. It’s horrifying when children in a basement sing Imagine by John Lennon, and that’s all they have left for their English lesson…”, director Antonio Lukich shared during the discussion.

He explained that the film had initially been conceived as a story about learning English in different countries around the world, but it evolved into something much deeper — a story about encountering contemporary Ukrainian children who are learning to find an understanding of the world despite the war.

Photo: by Anna Martynova, Lesya Nosenko, Maria Simkovich

“The film really touched me to the core”

The screening was followed by an open conversation in which viewers shared their emotions and reflections. Many noted how vital education has become for children living in frontline and de-occupied communities.

“For children in Kharkiv, studying has become incredibly important. They go to school, even if it’s just once a week, simply to see their friends. The film really touched me to the core,” one participant remarked.

As part of the event, a message from human rights defender Maksym Butkevych was also read, calling on people to contribute to fundraising for the rehabilitation of those released from Russian captivity. His words served as a powerful reminder of the importance of solidarity — both in films and in life.

Photo: by Anna Martynova, Lesya Nosenko, Maria Simkovich

Films that open our hearts

The screening of How I Spent My Summer Holidays? in Uzhhorod became more than a cultural event — it became a space for shared emotion and reflection on childhood which is learning to live within new realities.

Even in times of war, children do not stop dreaming. And perhaps this, more than anything, is our greatest hope.

The 22nd Travelling Docudays UA is held with the financial support of the European Union, the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine, and International Media Support. The opinions, conclusions or recommendations do not necessarily correspond to the views of the European Union, the governments or charities of these countries. Responsibility for the content of the publication lies solely on its authors.