Kateryna S

“Voices of the Nightingale’s Land” is a digital audio archive featuring biographical accounts of twenty Ukrainian refugees who, following the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, have found refuge in Poland. Conducted by IOM Poland’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit as part of its community engagement activities, the project used one-on-one interviews in safe, supportive settings to encourage self-reflection and emotional expression. The personal stories explore themes of childhood, education, career choices, family life, and adaptation to Ukraine’s evolving social and political landscape of the 20th and 21st century. While the trauma of displacement and loss is a recurring thread, the narratives also celebrate cultural identity—highlighting traditions, language, nature, food, and community ties. The resulting series of 15–20-minute audio essays offers listeners a window into the lives of a vibrant, yet often underrepresented, community in Poland today. We invite you to explore their very rich, colourful and unique worlds.