High school graduates spend their last school day at grave of classmate killed by Russians – photos, video
Eleventh-graders in Zhytomyr Oblast whose classmate who was killed by the Russians held their Last Bell ceremony (a celebration held after all the lessons are over but before the final exams) at his graveside. Seventeen-year-old Roman was killed in a Russian attack on Korostyshiv on 25 May. His brother and sister, Stanislav, 8, and Tamara, 12, were killed alongside him.
Source: Lyceum (specialised secondary school) No. 1 named after Gustaw Olizar
Details: Instead of having photos taken after their last lesson, the new graduates went to the cemetery to visit their friend.
They brought toys, cards and pieces of cake, as it was Tamara's birthday on 29 May.
"The Last Bell ceremony, which should have been full of joy, hugs, tears of happiness and a farewell to school, was turned into a day of silence, grief and deep pain," Yuliia Skok, the teacher who organised the ceremony, wrote on Facebook.
The 11th-grade class teacher held the ceremony for the children at the cemetery
"No loud bells, no loud music. But deep awe, respect, and love. This bell will ring in their hearts forever. Today, we felt once again how the war steals not only lives: it also steals childhoods, youth, celebrations, and memories that should be heartwarming," the post reads.
Background:
- Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukrainian cities on the night of 24-25 May.
- Three children from the Martyniuk family, 8-year-old Stanislav, 12-year-old Tamara and 17-year-old Roman, were killed in Zhytomyr Oblast. Their parents survived.
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