Hleb Kavaliou and Yulia Krasilnikava

Hleb:

I was born in Homel. I moved to Minsk for my studies. Festivities and the buzz of parties are essential to me. This led to the birth of ‘Karma’ bar, where I was co-owner. The bar was adorned with stickers and graffiti, bustling with hipsters, and with bartenders who casually addressed everyone. Our establishment stood out significantly amidst the decorous streets of central Minsk.

On the day of the presidential elections on August 9th, 2020, a crowd gathered at Karma, drinking beers with a palpable sense of unease. Occasionally, journalists dashed in to send photos to their editorial offices. Even though the internet in the city was being blocked, somehow it still functioned in the bar. Suddenly chaos erupted outside, with people running down the streets. We lowered the iron shutters hastily. Inside the bar, around fifty people occupied the cramped space of approximately 50 square meters. The air was scarce, and law enforcement officers banged and shouted for the door to be opened. Closing up proved to be the wisest decision unlike our neighboring bar, which remained open, where the people there were beaten and detained. Eventually, Karma in Minsk shut its doors due to our refusal to fund the regime through taxes.

Recognizing new prospects, I resolved to leave the country. Upon leaving, I swiftly acknowledged that I would never succumb to that paranoia again. Initially, I went to Kyiv, where, in collaboration with partners, we opened another bar named “Karma.” It was there that I met Yulia.

Yulia:

In 2021, I came to Ukraine from Russia on a three-month business trip and decided to stay. As the chief editor, I launched a new media outlet there and started the process of acquiring residency based on my father’s heritage.

Hleb appeared in my life and I began to feel I had someone dependable by my side. This played a significant role in my choice to remain in Kyiv.

On February 23, 2022, a friend of Hleb’s called and said that war was about to break out. I asked if he genuinely believed that, and went to bed. Hleb, however, stayed awake all night, preparing the evacuation car.

Hleb Kavaliou and Yulia Krasilnikava arrived
in Poland in 2022.