A Ukrainian Birthday at Chenonceau

 

Makari has just swallowed a rather large dollop of wasabi on a sushi roll. He had to tough it out, much to everyone's amusement.

 

My friend Ros, who is hosting Masha, a young Ukrainian refugee, near Le Blanc, contacted me recently to say that it was Masha's 19th birthday on 11 September. She and Tony, her husband, wanted to do something special as Masha is now all on her own in France. She arrived with her mother and little brother, after spending a month in a cellar in Kharkiv, but now her mother and brother have returned to Ukraine to be with Masha's father. Masha has chosen to stay in France but continue her Ukrainian university studies remotely.

Makari and Varvara brought balloons and a small handmade present for Masha. I thought it was very touching, as they have only met her once before.

 

In Preuilly and the immediately surrounding villages we have about 40 Ukrainian refugees, including teenagers about Masha's age, so when Ros asked me to suggest a chateau to visit for Masha's birthday, I recommended Chenonceau, and said I would invite Makari and Varvara, two of 'our' refugees in Preuilly.

Masha blowing the candles out on the birthday cake.

 

One of the things Masha was missing was speaking Ukrainian so we thought company her own age would be just the treat she needed. The outing was planned in utmost secrecy from her and when Makari and Varvara appeared in the Chenonceau carpark brandishing balloons and singing Happy Birthday she was very surprised.

Sitting down to a picnic before visiting the chateau.

 

Ros supplied a picnic which included lots of sushi, because she had learnt that Ukrainians really like sushi. When the cake was cut and Happy Birthday sung once again, all the adjoining tables of French picnickers joined in.

Makari and Varvara surprise Masha with their birthday greetings and a gift in the carpark.

 

After eating ourselves to a standstill we visited the interior of the chateau. Chenonceau had very generously given the Ukrainians free passes for the day (I didn't ask for free tickets, they were offered when I told the Visitor Services Manager the story).

 

During the visit Masha took lots of calls from friends and family in Ukraine wanting to wish her a happy birthday. I had strict instructions from Makari and Varvara's mum Natasha to take lots of photos, so these are some of them.

Makari, Varvara and Masha on the balcony at Chenonceau.