Petro Rudyy

Petro Rudyi is 84 years old, and he’s from Ivano-Frankivsk. His voice is calm, but there’s a deep weariness in his eyes.

Despite the difficult years, Petro continued his studies. He graduated from school and served in the military. In his youth, he was drawn to literature, fascinated by poetry. Taras Shevchenko, Vasyl Symonenko, Ivan Franko, Vasyl Stus—he found truth in their verses. Perhaps it was this connection to truth that led him to choose the profession of a doctor—he wanted not only to understand pain but also to heal it.

The medical university in Ivano-Frankivsk opened up a world of knowledge for him.

He delved deeply into medicine, studying anatomy and mastering the art of healing.

“I have seen a lot of pain,” says Mr. Petro, “but I knew that I had to do my job.”

His love for books has not faded with age. He still reads a lot. He recalls Professor Stepan Henyk, who researched the last days of Shevchenko’s life. This has always fascinated him—life, death, and the trace we leave behind.

“By increasing knowledge, we increase sorrows,” sighs the man. “Perhaps, if I knew less, it would be easier to live.”

Mr. Petro knows several languages: his native Ukrainian, Polish, Latin, and a bit of German. His mind is filled with dozens of quotes and proverbs, and his heart is filled with music. Solomiya Krushelnytska, Volodymyr Ivasyuk, Beethoven—these are his favorite performers.

“Music heals just like words,” says Mr. Petro.

His memory is the memory of an entire generation that endured wars, repressions, poverty, yet never lost its dignity. Even now, at 84 years old, he remains faithful to his ideals: to know, to remember, to heal, and to live.