Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska is the cover star of the September issue of ELLE Lithuania. In an interview, she spoke about the lives of Ukrainians during the war and their children’s education, and explained why culture has become a way for many to maintain a sense of normalcy and keep their spirits up.
Olena Zelenska graced the September cover of the Lithuanian edition of ELLE. This time, the conversation with the First Lady was less about fashion or style and more about how the daily lives of Ukrainians have changed since the start of the full-scale war.
In her interview, Zelenska spoke about children, education, work, and culture. She specifically mentioned the first weeks of the full-scale invasion, when Ukrainian families faced a difficult choice—how to continue their normal lives when danger was all around.
Ukrainian children continue their education
According to Olena Zelenska, one of the main concerns for parents at the start of the full-scale war was their children’s education. Despite shelling, air raid alerts, and constant danger, Ukrainian schoolchildren have continued their education. They are taking exams, finishing the school year, and celebrating graduation. The First Lady emphasized that the childhood of Ukrainians today is nothing like that of their peers before 2022. The war has affected everyday things—education, socializing, leisure, and plans for the future.
At the same time, in her view, children should be able to remain children even during wartime. It’s not just about lessons and grades. It’s important for children to be able to socialize with friends, spend time together, participate in school events, and plan for their future. That’s why Ukrainians are trying to preserve the things that are familiar to children, even when that means adapting to the realities of war.
Culture has become a way to maintain a sense of normalcy
Zelenska also spoke about Ukraine’s cultural life. Despite the war, Ukrainian theaters, concert venues, festivals, and book fairs continue to operate. An air raid alert may interrupt a performance or concert, forcing the audience to take shelter. But once the all-clear is given, people return to their daily lives, and cultural events continue. “It’s a way to lift our spirits and maintain a sense of normalcy,” the First Lady noted.
According to Zelenska, during the war, culture has ceased to be merely entertainment for Ukrainians. It has become a way to recover psychologically, take a break from constant tension, and return to normal life—at least for a little while. Ukrainians may spend part of the evening in a shelter due to an air raid alert, and the next day go to a play, concert, or festival again. This, according to the First Lady, shows just how important culture has become to society. People continue to read books, go to the theater, listen to music, and attend cultural events even during the most difficult times.
Life goes on despite the war
Zelenska’s interview with ELLE Lithuania is largely devoted to how Ukrainians are trying to carry on with their lives amid the war. It focuses on simple things that might once have seemed like a normal part of life. Children go to school, young people enroll in universities, adults work, and people continue to socialize, attend cultural events, and make plans.
The war has changed these routines, but it hasn’t forced Ukrainians to give them up entirely. It’s especially important for children to maintain a sense of the future. Even if their childhood is spent amid the sounds of sirens and in shelters, they continue to study, take exams, and plan for their future.
Culture also plays an important role in this process. It helps people not only take their minds off things but also stay connected to their country, language, history, and contemporary Ukrainian life.
What the ELLE Cover Tells Us
The editorial team at ELLE Lithuania emphasizes that the September issue is dedicated to the story of Ukraine and its ability to continue living and developing despite the war. The cover featuring Zelenska has become part of this story. Through the interview, the magazine highlights not only the consequences of the war but also how Ukrainians are trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and build new lives under extraordinary circumstances.
For the First Lady, this conversation was an opportunity to talk about what is happening beyond the front lines—in schools, families, theaters, universities, and everyday life. The main message of the interview is that the war should not deprive Ukrainians of the opportunity to learn, work, create, and remain true to themselves. That is why, despite air raid alerts and attacks, schools and cultural institutions in Ukraine continue to operate, and people are trying to make plans for the future.
Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska accessorized her outfit with a handmade piece from the Ukrainian brand Gunia Project. She wore the apron, featuring symbolic embroidery, during the sixth ceremony to award the honorary title “National Legend of Ukraine.”
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