Couch surfer Stephan Orth: Touching stories from War Ukraine

Couch surfer Stephan Orth: Touching stories from War Ukraine

Nottuln, Deutschland - A moving evening in Nottuln! Couch surfer and journalist Stephan Orth was a guest for the third time at the invitation of the Association of Art & Culture Nottuln. In front of around 60 enthusiastic listeners, he presented his new book "Couchsurfing in Ukraine - my journey through a country in the war". With siren howl, Orth began his multimedia reading and took those present to the war-paved Ukraine, where he received deeper insight into the life of the people on site through his Ukrainian girlfriend Julija.

Orth urgently asked the questions: "How are people who have remained? What does hope give them?" His trips took him to Kyjiw, Odessa, Kharkiw and the Carpathians, where he lived with locals and heard their moving stories. The lawyer Polina, who, despite the dangers as a hiking guide, works in the Carpathian and even wanted to take Orth to the front line. However, she stopped a missed vehicle failure, which seasoned the evening with a dash of thrills.

Courage and will to live in Ukraine

Another moving example was 85-year-old Iryna from Lyman, who has been living in her basement for 18 months after her apartment has been destroyed. Despite these adverse circumstances, it preserves a positive attitude to life. Orth's urgent report gave the listeners a perspective on Ukraine, which goes beyond the horrors of the war and shows the tireless desire of people for normality.

Orth also reminded of his former book "Couchsurfing in Russia" and found that he could no longer criticize the political situation today. The terrifying examples from Russia clarify that many people live in a completely different reality. But despite all the challenges he experienced on his trip, Orth found hope in the stories of the people he met. "What gives me hope are these people," he concluded his reading and left a strong feeling of inspiration in the room.