The basis of our story will be an event that took place in Kharkiv at the beginning of the Russian invasion. During the constant shelling, Kharkiv residents were forced to seek shelter in the Kharkiv metro. Whole families lived underground for months, but it was especially difficult for children. One day, Mykola Kolomiets, artistic director of the Aza Nizi Maza studio, came to the subway and offered the children creative leisure. Many kids who were looking for something to fill their time gathered around him. Creativity has become their solace, and for some of them, the meaning of life.

I accidentally witnessed Mykola speaking with a young artist, reflecting on the true essence of art. This scene deeply moved me, but what impressed me the most were the words and thoughts of the boy himself, who, despite his young age, had an astonishingly profound understanding of the world and art.

We were driving through the center of nighttime Kharkiv, past one of the largest squares in Europe, engulfed in impenetrable darkness. The city was submerged in shadow, and only the headlights of cars pierced through the gloom, reminding us that even in the dark, life continued in the city. We drove in silence, captivated by the atmosphere, while at the same time realizing that more than a million people live here. That thought sent a chill down our spines.

Kharkiv. Pivnichna Saltivka. A district where, before the Russian invasion, about 400,000 people lived. Now, it’s devastated, bombed, and shattered. I will never forget the feeling as I walked through the streets in complete silence, as if I had stepped into a scene from a video game where all the people had vanished. There were no birds singing, no chatter, no children laughing—only the wind howling between the high-rise buildings. All around were shattered schools, kindergartens, and destroyed playgrounds.

The Botanical Garden of V.N. Karmazin Kharkiv National University is a unique place that houses an extraordinarily rich collection of trees and herbaceous plants. Over 7,000 species of flora from around the world are presented in the dendrology, natural flora, ornamental outdoor plants, and tropical and subtropical plants sections. The garden is home to more than 1,000 species and forms of trees and shrubs, over 1,000 species of herbaceous plants from the natural flora, 2,000 species and varieties of ornamental plants, and its collection of tropical and subtropical plants includes around 3,000 taxa. This centuries-old garden, a true gem of botanical science, almost disappeared under Russian shelling.

I was captivated by the scene where Pavlo Makov, a true gem of Ukrainian art, explained the nuances of art grants, comparing the present day to the past, particularly to the time of Leonardo da Vinci. It was quite an amusing conversation that is sure to bring a smile to your face. It turns out that while times change, the rules remain the same.

At the start of the war, when Russian forces approached Kharkiv and began shelling the city with artillery, many people found themselves trapped. Elderly people, in particular, suffered the most—those who relied on social services for care. In the chaos, they were simply forgotten and left alone. Most of them were bedridden and unable to care for themselves. But the world is not without kind people. The people of Kharkiv came together and created a new refuge for the elderly, a place where they are cared for every day. It’s hard to put my feelings into words, but when I visited this home, I felt that light will surely overcome the darkness.

We will also attend the enchanting puppet show at the Kharkiv Puppet Theater — "Mons the Giraffe," directed by Oksana Dmytriieva. This performance, based on Oleg Mykhailov’s fairy tale, deeply moved me. In an allegorical fairy-tale form, the Giraffe, who lives in the Kharkiv Zoo during World War II, experiences the horrors of war. The distancing of the plot from modern events and the parable-like structure of the piece allow the story to tackle painful topics without overwhelming the audience. The story of Mons the Giraffe offers a child's perspective on war, as they experience fear and loneliness in their own way. It's a delicate, heartfelt conversation about war, compassion, and support, addressed to both children and adults.

I seek to unveil the metaphor of the garden, as gardens, like the plants that grow within them, are all different. A garden requires constant care and attention — each tree, each flower, has its own unique needs. Some require abundant water and nurturing, while others need only fertile soil and sunlight. If a garden is tended with love and understanding, it will yield plentiful fruits. But if neglected, the seedlings will never sprout, losing their chance at life. The world around us is also a garden, and its beauty or decay depends on what we cultivate in it. "AZA NIZI MAZA" is just such a garden, where every child blossoms like a unique plant. This garden has its own caring gardener — Mykola Kolomiiets, who has been lovingly nurturing it for many years with his daily dedication. It is a place where the talents of Kharkiv’s children, like flowers, bloom, grow strong, and bear fruit.

Pavlo Makov is an artist and master of graphic art, known for his ability to convey complex concepts through his work. Born in 1958 in St. Petersburg, he studied at the Crimean Art School and the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, which shaped him as an artist. A member of the Ukrainian Union of Artists and the Royal Society of Painters in Great Britain, Makov participates in numerous international biennales. His works, housed in museums worldwide, impress viewers with their depth of ideas and technique. Makov reinterprets utopia, playing with reality and myth, creating his unique style. In the film, he appears as a symbol of creative exploration and inspiration.

Oksana Dmytriieva is the chief director of the V. Afanasyev Kharkiv State Academic Puppet Theater, shaping the city's theatrical culture since 2010. A graduate of the Kharkiv State University of Arts, she is known for her innovative productions that combine dramaturgy with experimental forms, such as "Mother Courage and Her Children" by Bertolt Brecht, reimagined by Serhiy Zhadan. During the war, under her leadership, the theater became a cultural and volunteer hub, as well as a bomb shelter, where Dmytriieva continued performances, uplifting the city's spirit. Her works address contemporary painful issues, reflecting the spirit of resilience and resistance, transforming the theater into a tool of cultural struggle.

Olha Kleitman, an architect from Kharkiv and co-founder of SBM Studio, is known for her projects that integrate architecture with nature, such as the reconstruction of Sarzhyn Yar Park. She works on the concept of gardens as symbols of Kharkiv’s recovery after the war, combining historical memory with natural environments. Through the organization "Through the War," Olha helps military personnel and participates in rebuilding the city, creating new green spaces as symbols of hope. In the film, she appears as an architect using her vision to restore the city through the concept of "gardens on ruins," showcasing the strength and resilience needed for Kharkiv’s revival.