The young woman became an iconic hero of the Maidan last winter when she devoted herself tirelessly to helping out on Independence Square.
Six months ago, Liza Shaposhnyk helped out in the kitchen of the Euromaidan in Kyiv: she tore the strings off tea bags. Liza, who has had limited capabilities since childhood is once again dealing with strings. This time it’s the strings of explosive devices that the Right Sector fighters are training to set on the ground, reports Radio Liberty.
In December, a group of volunteers at the Maidan kitchen in the House of Trade Unions was named after Liza Shaposhnyk, the Euromaidan activist who came to Kyiv from Donbas. Now, the activist dreams of house-keeping in her own kitchen. This week she is getting married.Her fiance Vitaliy is from Yakutia (Sakha Republic), but he also has Ukrainian roots. His great- great-grandmother, who was half Ukrainian and half Polish, was in the ranks of the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army). In 1944, she was arrested and sent into exile to Russia. After her discharge, Anfisa Sosina remained in Yakutia and married. She did not manage to return to Ukraine. Seventy years later, her great-great grandson Vitali did.Taking only a toothbrush from home, he arrived in Kyiv, for a business trip. But, he happened on the fiery Independence Square on February 18 and stayed there. He says that during the fighting on Institutska St. he decided that he would not return to Russia until he saw a happy ending to this part of history in Ukraine.
Vitali and Lisa met at Easter. He first saw Liza on the internet, and she really appealed to him, but he did not have the courage to come up and speak to her. Chance intervened. Lisa and Vitali performed an assignment together – they followed a suspected Russian agent.
“Everyone is walking around, but we were working, “ Vitali explains. We started talking and Lisa suddenly said, “You are so nice, I do not want people like you to leave Ukraine. Let’s get married!” I was surprised, but immediately said: “Let’s!”
They laugh together. They explain at the same time, though do not interrupt, but instead complement each other. In the same way, in a duet, they talk about how, sooner or later, the Red Square in Russia will have its own Maidan. And about how they will create a third Maidan here, in Ukraine, if the authorities continue to step-by-step surrender the country. They worry about Crimea and Donbas.
Liza has a small disability pension. Vitali makes additional earnings on the Internet. They eat mostly “Mivna” instant noodles. They are thankful to the good people who helped Liza when she became ill and money was needed for treatment – it was sent to a charity account. A year later, she will need to undergo an examination again. Doctors forbid Liza from standing and walking for too long.
The young woman said that in a Ukrainian hospital she encountered terrible rudeness. “It’s nothing; we will hold the medical chief of this hospital to account…” But Liza was fortunate to be examined in France. From there, in addition to pleasant memories, she brought back a gift, a turtle named Ninja. That’s right, says Liza, just like the rapid response unit of the Right Sector.
For their turtle, Liza and Vitali cut grass in an abandoned courtyard near the Maidan. Friends helped them find a room in an old house, which is near the office of the Right Sector on the Maidan. Liza says that she was evicted from her home in Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region and that a 15-year sentence is already awaiting her, issued by the self-proclaimed Donetsk authorities to the “fascist and Banderite.”
In Kyiv, on her pillow, instead of a pillowcase Liza has a flag of Ukraine. She says that that for her it is more peaceful that way.
Source: http://life.pravda.com.ua/society/2014/05/21/169143/
Translated by Olena Wawryshyn
Let’s support and help the newlyweds
Message from friends of Liza and Vitali:
Our young associates Liza and Vitali met in the turbulent times of the Euromaidan Revolution. Both have been on Independence Square, the Maidan, since November. They passed through this inferno with dignity. Vitali is a journalist and Lisa, despite having a congenital cerebral palsy, helped at the Maidan in very dangerous circumstances. On account of her participation in the revolution, Liza was illegally evicted from her apartment in Donetsk. Liza then decided to join the Right Sector and her boyfriend is a long-time member of our organization.
The young couple always lived in the Ukrainian House, and now are living in the Right Sector headquarters in Kyiv.
We invite you to congratulate the newlyweds on Saturday May 24. They will be warmed by your greetings. You can bring and drop off gifts for them with the staff at Khreschatyk 22 (entrance to the Post Office side of the street Khreschatyk).
The newlyweds are lovely people, very idealistic and honest. Currently, they are virtually homeless and have only camouflage clothing and military boots, and could do with proper accommodations and clothing. If you would like to help them, donations can be made to their account at Privat Bank: 5168755325828255 Shaposhnyk Elizabeth S.
Lisa and Vitali, may you will have the most romantic wedding!
Let’s support and send our best wishes to this wonderful couple!
With faith in our fraternity,
Maria Zvirobiy
Right Sector Coordinator
Kyiv Region
Source: facebook
