“You know that you are human?” often gets forgotten. But Roman hasn’t forgotten. To stand with Roman from L’Arche Ukraine, and ask this question is a way of staying serene in a world turned upside-down during the pandemic period.
Whoever we are, whatever our social background, faith or philosophical outlook, taller or shorter, younger or older, with more or with less, without an intellectual disability, or with one, we are all human beings. Listen, watch and join Roman as he proclaims the words of poet and fellow Ukrainian, Vasyl Symonenko “You know that you are human?”
Movie released – On December 3 – in honour of International Day for People with Disabilities 2020.
Poem from Vasyl Symonenko
You know that you’re a human?
You know that, or not?
That smile of yours is unique to you,
That torment of yours is unique to you,
Your eyes no other person has got.
Tomorrow you won’t be here present.
Tomorrow on this blesses land
Others will walk and love…
Good people and bad people
Today all the world is for you:
Forests and hills, valleys deep.
So hurry to live, please, hurry!
So hurry to love, please, hurry!
Don’t miss out on it, don’t oversleep!
‘Cause you on this Earth are a human.
And whether you want it or not,
That smile of yours is unique to you,
That torment of yours is unique to you,
Your eyes no other person has got.
___ Translation in Spanish___
¿Sabes que eres humano?
Eso lo sabes, ¿no?
Tu sonrisa es tuya y solo tuya.
Tu dolor es tuyo y solo tuyo.
Tus ojos son tuyos, nada más.
Mañana no estarás aquí.
Mañana, en esta tierra bendita
otros marcharán y amarán.
Los bondadosos y los malvados.
Hoy el mundo entero es para ti:
los bosques, las montañas, los valles.
Debes apresurarte para vivir.
Necesitas apurarte para amar.
Ten cuidado, no te lo pierdas.
Porque en esta tierra eres humano.
Y lo quieras o no lo quieras,
tu sonrisa es tuya y solo tuya.
Tu dolor es tuyo y solo tuyo.
Tus ojos son tuyos, nada más.