Tulips and Ashes

Embark on a raw and moving journey through a year in war-torn Ukraine with Iryna Kapitonova. Iryna invites you to join her in grappling with the pain of loss, uncertainty, and the terrible degradations of evil. As she chronicles her daily life in her beloved homeland of Ukraine, she also invites you to look for hope, to find reasons to celebrate, and to believe that a better day is coming. Witness the depths of loss, uncertainty, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through the pages of her daily chronicle discover hope blooming amidst chaos and the unwavering strength that can be found in moments of despair. Join her in exploring the profound interplay between faith, loss, and the enduring pursuit of hope in the face of adversity. As Iryna leads you through the first year of the 2022 war, you will find yourself alternately weeping and rejoicing, ever aware that war continues on. Join Iryna in bearing witness to the horrible and awesome potential of the human spirit.



The written word has always inspired Iryna Kapitonova, and books were close companions throughout her school years. She holds a qualification in international economics and translation from the National Aviation University (Kyiv). She has worked a library at the Ukrainian Education Center ministry in Kyivm and has served as an interpreter, teacher, and mentor at YWAM Kyiv’s School of Biblical Studies. Kapitonova lives in Kyiv with her husband and son, where she teaches elementary school English.



Embark on a raw and moving journey through a year in war-torn Ukraine with Iryna Kapitonova. Iryna invites you to grapple with the pain of loss, uncertainty, and the terrible degradations of evil, while also finding reasons for celebration and joy. Experience the interplay of faith, loss, and enduring hope in conflict's depths.