Children, who saw the war,— others .They have other fears, other dreams. And fairy tales, whose heroes and plots will become guideposts in the future, are also different from ordinary ones. Because many of them were told by parents to the accompaniment of air alarms. 

"Tales from the Shelter" by Oksana Tribun are stories, who were born to the sound of sirens. In February 2022, hiding in cold basements from Russian missiles, she sought peace in creativity - for herself and for people, who were around then. And as a reward she received... a victory in this year's contest for writers-beginners from the "It`s Craft" fund.

About helping people, who suffered from the war, and story-telling as an art of healing the soul was told by the author of "Tales from the shelter" Oksana Tribun.

     

"Before the war, the grandchildren came to visit the grandparents.The invasion of the occupiers was at first a shock for the grandparents, but they were able to quickly control themselves and arrange a shelter for their safety. Every time, when the air alarm sounded, grandparents helped the children down into the shelter, where the grandmother told them fairy tales, to reduce anxiety, and nurtured patriotism towards the native land".

The epigraph to Oksana Tribun's collection is like a backdrop to her biography. Behind them, instead of a stage, is real life, and instead of actors - fictional people.The author was told to furnish the plots for "Tales from the Hideout".,in which she, like millions of Ukrainians, found herself 24 February 2022.

Oksana Tribun is an experienced specialist in personality development and crisis psychology.From the first days of the full-scale invasion, she went from one shelter outside Berdychev's house to another, to help people.She taught them emotional self-regulation:how to breathe correctly, what exercises for the body to do.She did everything possible, to distract people from their fears, who then persecuted them.Together they sang songs, recited poems.And also - they told fairy tales, looking for solace in metaphors. 

"Metaphor heals,- says Oksana.- I, when I work with clients,I explain everything to them through fables, tales, proverb. This is our wisdom.You can see a way out of this or that situation in them.Symbols of the subconscious are hidden behind fairy-tale images.And this relationship between fiction and real life can be a tool, which you can use to solve your own problems. Listening, repeating or making up stories, a person gives free rein to his feelings, pours out aggressiveness and fears".

That child will grow up happy, which will be raised by happy parents

Oksana Tribun copied the characters of fairy tales from her grandchildren -10-annual Government and 14-year-old Catherine.I listened to their conversations.I watched that, how they react to everything, what is happening around.How they behave, what are they afraid of... And then she looked for ways, how to help children overcome the first life challenges, and turned decisions into metaphors.So that already in the real world they could take over the experience of fictional heroes. 

"Tales from the shelter are an echo of my heart during the war.These are stories about courage, courage and mutual support.They are created, to bring some joy and fun to those, who reads them.To help you get through difficult times, forget about fear, and instead find faith in the future,- says the storyteller.- Because war is time, when people are going through the most difficult moments in life.She is anxious and helpless… It was my way of expressing my support and solidarity to everyone, who is not easy". 

And these stories about personal boundaries.About that, how they are broken and how they return. Oksana Tribun is an international Ven Do and assertiveness trainer.One of eight certified specialists in Ukraine, who teach women self-defense, the ability to regulate emotional states and protect one's own boundaries. 

"That child will grow up happy, which will be raised by happy parents, Oksana believes.- This is what I teach women at trainings and tell about it in my fairy tales.Therefore, adults will also be interested in reading the collection.This will help parents strengthen their children's moral values ​​and develop positive thinking in them.". 

An artist should be useful

Write fairy tales, in which good triumphs over evil, Oksana Tribun started a few years before the full-scale invasion. After, how she overcame her own challenge - underwent an operation due to the detected oncology.Then I felt the need to give light and hope to them, who also needed support. 

IN2022-she didn't just write to him anymore, to encourage Ukrainians. Oksana saved herself with creativity.She prescribed personal pain. 

"In February, my son joined the Kyiv National Guard.Then he was on the front line, in assault troops.Freed Bucha. The daughter was in Melitopol at that time.She lived in the occupation for a month.It was a difficult period.Therefore, fairy tales helped not only people - they helped me.Storytelling can be called the art of healing the soul".

By the way,"Tales from the shelter" can be told abroad - sharing the truth about the war with people, who do not see or hear her.The collection is already translated into Polish. 

"It is important for an artist to be able to keep his finger on the pulse and help with creativity, Oksana is certain.- You know, my husband is a pianist, professional musician. And that's when we gather in self-help groups, and he starts playing, such powerful music is pouring out, that our participants, women-relocations, start to glow!..An artist should be useful".

 

Writer: Iryna Shatalov