War in Ukraine: Quote by Jana Riemann

Quote Jana Riemann, curator of the Cottbus Film Festival and member of the "Short Film Competition" selection committe
3.2.2022

"I have the privilege of commenting on the war in Ukraine today from the safety of my home office.I freeze as I watch the images on my screen and I can hardly imagine how this can be happening now in my home country.

The war of aggression is aimed at razing Ukrainian culture, the country, the people - their freedom, democracy and everything they have fought for in the last 30 years of their independence - to the ground.For the past three years I have been working for the Cottbus Film Festival, which works to bring the cheerfulness and humour, the diversity and complexity of Eastern European culture to German viewers.

I am very grateful to all those who support Ukraine, go to demos, make donations in cash and in kind, help refugees and express their opinions publicly, even if they have to fear dire consequences for doing so. I am very proud of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian army who are fighting so fearlessly and bravely against the Russian troops and admire their courage and cohesion."

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)