For Petro Rusanienko, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was nothing new. Petro is from the Donbas region of Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia since 2014. When the war broke out in 2014, Petro lived under Russian occupation before fleeing to Kyiv. “I lived in the occupation for two months; I realized I couldn’t [do this] more, and I moved to Kyiv,” Petro shared, reflecting on that time.
Upon arriving in Kyiv, Petro applied for and was selected to attend Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Karyi Theatre, Cinema, and Television University, the most prestigious performing arts university in Ukraine. “It’s the main theatre university in Ukraine. I was lucky to be selected,” Petro shares with a soft smile, “We have several theatre universities, but this is the main and the most famous one.”
Pictured: Petro Rusanienko
Within five years, Petro had obtained both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in acting. During that time, he also worked as an actor at the university before beginning his career as a producer. His passion for knowledge and learning new things moved him to Hungary to study gender studies at the Central European University. After completing his program, he returned home to Ukraine, only to leave again in 2022 due to Russia’s invasion.
“I crossed the border [out of Ukraine] as a student because men couldn’t cross the border since the war started. I used the opportunity as a student to cross the border because it’s super difficult to leave Ukraine now.”
Once Petro left Ukraine, he ended up in Vienna, where he found an apartment for one month. “I knew I wanted to go to Berlin, but I couldn’t find an apartment...I met with a boy who [received longer-term housing] from ORAM, and he provided me with information about your organization.” Petro wrote to ORAM and was on a waiting list for longer-term housing. After one and a half months of waiting, Petro received the news he had been hoping for...an apartment in Berlin was available for him. “I was lucky [to get] it because one girl, who was also on the waiting list, did not respond to the ORAM team.”
Petro, wanting to pursue his passions in his new home, began scouring the internet for opportunities in Berlin. After filling out several applications, he received a Vidnova Fellowship, a fellowship created in Berlin to build relationships and collaborate with Ukrainian civil actors and activists. Through the Vidnova Fellowship, Petro received a scholarship to study to be a facilitator, and importantly, they will provide money for Petro’s projects.
Pictured: Petro in his apartment that ORAM found as part of our longer-term housing program.
“I created a YouTube project about sexual education, and we will make a YouTube channel. We are in the stage of creating a team. We are just in the beginning,” Petro shared about his upcoming project. “I hope I will be successful with it [the YouTube channel].”
Petro, who likes to keep busy, is already planning for future projects. "In January, I will work with this theatre project in Ireland, not in Dublin, but in a small village close to Dublin.”
Petro’s face lit up with excitement when asked about returning to Berlin, as he explained how nice the city is. “[Berlin] really reminds me of the vibe of my city, of Kyiv.”
The entire ORAM team is proud of Petro for working hard to pursue his passions in Berlin, and we’re glad to be able to help him along his journey. Please donate here to help ORAM continue to support more LGBTIQ Ukrainians like Petro.
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