Restorer from Zhytomyr fled the war in Ukraine: now he makes jewelry in Manhattan

Those who fled to America from the war in Ukraine have exactly one year to wait and return, or start a new life here. The document of legalization - the humanitarian password - is issued exactly for 365 days. Studies of past refugee crises show that the time factor is important. The longer the critical situation in the homeland lasts, the less the desire to return. Refugees in New York do not have time to think, as there are no benefits expected. You need to rely only on yourself or on your loved ones. The story of a restorer from Zhytomyr, who became an artist and jeweler in Bryant Park, was told on Voice of America.

“If I had been told at least a couple of months ago that I would sit and work as a goldsmith in New York, in Manhattan, I would never have believed it. I would probably go crazy. Well, how can it be? I was lucky - I was called to post-work on metal in this company. I showed my work, and - as an artist - the owner of the company appreciated it,” says Nikolai Kopay-Gora.

Nicholas is from Ukraine, but the war found him in Poland. He received a call at 5 am from his native Kramatorsk. My daughter literally screamed into the phone that the war had begun. After that, there were several weeks of sleepless nights, because the family stayed there, and he stayed in Poland. The man did his best to bring his relatives to Poland. However, Polish salaries were not enough to support a family.

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“I was lucky, because my friends gave me an apartment. I settled my family there, and I went further to Europe to work. In Germany and the Netherlands, wages are higher. And already when I was working in Holland, my friends from America contacted me and helped me move. This is crazy: 8 flights to get to New York, ”said the refugee.

Mykola admitted that the move is difficult from a psychological point of view, because Europe is very different from Ukraine. And American culture is different from all cultures. Transport schedule, lifestyle, way of thinking - everything is radically different. In principle, it is very difficult to adapt when you grew up in a different environment.

Nikolai's son dreams of going to the Empire State Building and trying New York pizza. The man hopes that as soon as he gets on his feet a little, he will be able to bring children here, because "this country gives opportunities and chances."

“When there is absolutely nothing to eat, I can go and draw a portrait. A person gives some money for this. The life of a freelance artist for a loner is ideal. But when there is a family, obligations, this is not enough, unfortunately, ”the man admits.

Nikolai says he never had the American dream. He is here only thanks to his friends. But now the artist dreams of making an exhibition of his paintings about the Grand American Canyon.