Ekaterina Netchitailova

In January I posted a video on Twitter where I talk about me going to attend a service at Russian Orthodox Church, and being a coward, I deleted the video, because several people contacted me and threatened me to remove any reference to being Russian from my profile.

I have a reason to act as a coward, because I am a single mum with a bipolar disorder. I am scared.

But after a while, I decided that living my life as a coward is not a path I want to choose, and it’s definitely not a path I want to teach my son, a growing man.

Yes, I was born in Russia. I do consider myself as Russian. I am also a proud Dutch citizen, a citizenship I earned through hard work, and not through a marriage or rich parents. Everything in my life I achieved by myself. I love the Netherlands and being Dutch allows me to express my opinion about several matters, without being afraid of censorship or persecution. I love The Netherlands for that: for its freedom of speech, for its caring towards its citizens, for its tolerance towards the difference, and acceptance of the versality of life.

And so, let me speak my mind.

I was born in the most beautiful country on earth: RUSSIA. It’s a country of different time zones and amazing nature. It’s the country where people love deep philosophical discussions and where the earth is rich. I spent half of my childhood in Donbas, where the smell of the mines is forever integrated in my DNA. I have Russian and Ukrainian friends, and in general I love people. I love different cultures, languages, and discovering something that I don’t know.

I know that the war is raging. I know it all too well. Half of my family is in Russia, and another half, in Ukraine. As a European citizen I suffer. I don’t know how I am going to pay my energy and gas bills next winter. It is simply insane.

But you will never hear me saying that I hate Russia, or be able to force me to feel stupid, and guilty. Of what? Just because I am Russian? Here, nineteen years of your life – just go, hop, hop, in the bin?

I was born in Russia and it’s in Russia where I learned to speak, love, and form friendships. It was in Russia where I received excellent education that allowed me to continue my studies in Europe, obtain two master’s degrees, and earn a PhD in England.

It was in Russia where I was taught to love the country that feeds you. As a result, I love all four countries where I had the privilege to live: Russia, The United Kingdom, Belgium and The Netherlands. I speak Russian, French, English and Dutch.

So, if you find it funny and rewarding to post pictures that touch on the national symbolism of ANY country, please, don’t follow me, and don’t try to be my friend. I respect all countries, their national symbols, languages, and walks of life.