Respecting “freedom”
Back when Marie was traveling through the Soviet Union, she was frequently mistaken for a Kazakh. Likewise, the father of her host family in Germany would often mix up Taiwan with Hainan Island. People in Ukraine still have very limited knowledge of Taiwan even today. Ivan and Marie have worked hard to become a bridge of understanding between these two places, so that more people can gain a better understanding of Taiwan. Ivan has been profiled in Ukrainian print media, and his story has even been covered on television there. In Taiwan he has put on several painting exhibitions with a Ukrainian theme, such as the “Golden Ukraine” exhibition at the Kaohsiung County Cultural Center in 1998, his “Ukraine My Homeland” solo show at the Changhua County Cultural Center in 2003, and his “Memory over Ukraine” solo exhibition at the Hsinchu City Art Gallery in 2012. Taiwanese have also gained a perspective on their own homeland through the eyes of this Ukrainian painter, thanks to his “Qingshui Through the Eyes of a Ukrainian Painter” show at the Taichung City Seaport Art Center in 2000, and his “Heart of Taiwan” solo exhibition at the Tainan Cultural Center in 2018. Through the medium of painting he is helping people to gain better understandings of each other across geographic and cultural divides.
We visited Ivan on his birthday, and he offered us a simple, healthy meal of brown rice, a salad, shrimp and chicken soup. A discussion about food led to the issue of genetically modified foods before talk turned to Ivan’s paintings of old houses and his hopes for Taiwan. Ivan believes that the people of Taiwan should show more care for its natural ecosystems and for preserving traditional buildings. The bars over the windows of many of Taiwan’s residences made a big impression on Ivan when he first came here. In his estimation, windows should able to swing freely open. In Ukraine only the wealthy put bars over windows to secure their spaces. There are interesting cultural differences between the two places.
This family has a simple lifestyle and communicates through a mix of Chinese, English and Russian. They don’t have high material demands, but they live on a rich spiritual level. Ivan has wide-ranging interests. His mother was a chef, and he learned how to prepare several dishes from her. He can take driftwood and turn it into cute and colorful handicrafts. Happily chatting, Ivan brought out some home-brewed flower wine to make a toast. He was in good spirits that day, and he sang a few lines of a song. His resonant voice gave the impression that he is quite the singer too.
This multitalented man experienced a big turn in his life when he met Marie and decided to move to Taiwan. After Ukraine gained independence, Ivan, who was working in Moscow, became regarded as a foreigner there. As the cost of living there rose, his salary was cut. Meanwhile, Ukraine fell into a severe depression, such that many Ukrainians left to find work in various European nations. That’s why Ivan decided to leave for Taiwan, explained Lin. To that explanation Ivan added one word: “Freedom.”
Ivan has been in Taiwan for 23 years, and the island has become his second home. With a Taiwan identity card, he has become a genuine Taiwanese. He has witnessed the island’s progress on all fronts, and he regards the air of freedom in Taiwan as something that is sacrosanct and nonnegotiable.
“Another?” Ivan invited us to raise our glasses again. The wine went down smoothly, and its aroma was enchanting. We toasted to freedom!
Walking the road of life together, Ivan and Marie met in Moscow and settled down in Taiwan.
Ivan’s art is infused with a Taiwanese flavor: What joy is conveyed by these round melons! (courtesy of Art of Ivan Yehorov)
Ivan often finds a quiet spot outside to capture beautiful images of Taiwan. (courtesy of Art of Ivan Yehorov)
Taiwan has become a second homeland to Ivan, who uses paint to record its beauty.