(essay)

This week the rigid routine of Ukrainians has changed completely. Adults were late for work…pupils missed schools… The streets were deserted and all quarantine rules followed… There were no crowds in shops or buses… People stayed at home and drank hot tea… Is this a new outbreak of the corona? Lockdown? Not at all! The snowstorm snow has skied down! Ho-ho-ho!

“This is a fabulous gift from nature,” said my mother. The gift with name Volker… Hundreds of Ukrainian tiny towns were hidden under a snowy blanket. Hundreds of broken cars on white roads… Thousands of changed plans and funny photos on Instagram. Tons of snowdrifts, spoilt nerves and… smiles! Ho-ho-ho! In the snow!