#hetalia?

I've been following your account for quite a while now, and your content is fascinating but it's certainly been hitting a brick wall, cracking it and discovering a completely different reality. And because of that I would like to know more about Ukraine. And actually, that's been complicated for me. And I don't know if you can help me to take a starting point, like some names of history books that you recommend or forums or newspaper news that don't contain Russian bias.

Anyway, thank you so much for what you already share, it's a treasure.

Thank you for your words, really. It's the best motivation for me to continue.

I... don't really know much books about Ukrainian history on English. I like this one:

I also like reading @ukr_arthistory (on Twitter) and @vintage-ukraine. @qirimlia (on Twitter) writes about Crimean Tatars.

This musical clip has English subtitles, and I cry every time watching it

This is the playlist of Ukrainian music, maybe something will hook your soul

Me and who?

i love this ask anon! and thank you! i do want to mention that there will be a heavy bias towards english speaking and american artists on this list, and getting other perspectives on this is probably also a good idea. but anyway! list! (which since its kind of long i shall also put on an spotify link)

Hand in My Pocket- Alanis Morissette

this song feels like acceptance to me, and i think it’s important to put on this list because imagine you’re born and you know there’s something different about you, and then when you’re like 8 years old someone’s like oh by the way. you’re the human representation of the country we’re currently living in, or smth like that. i would cry. i think it’d take a while to accept, and that a lot of them don’t really like themselves, but this just feels hopeful and ok and i think its very good. 

Into the West- Annie Lennox

my lotr brainrot is showing again lmao. this is half bc of elves also being semi immortal beings who live for thousands of years in tolkein’s work, and also because the nature of the song is that we’re saying goodbye to all these characters and especially goodbye to frodo and bilbo. i think that goodbyes are something that’s sort of central to life as an immortal, at least in a place where immortals are rare. 

Vienna- Billy Joel

it’s always been my interpretation of this song that vienna was supposed to represent heaven and a peaceful death. a piece of nation lore that i like is that they can be killed, but they’ll come back as long as there’s a nation still existing, and that a lot of them might want to die but they can’t, and are therefore dreaming of a ‘vienna’ of their own. 

Lost- Amanda Palmer

this song fits into the theme of death again, cause the message is that you never really lose anyone as long as they’re still with you emotionally. i like that vibe and i think it fits again with being an immortal in a world of humans. 

Wild Heart- Bleachers

this feels very much young and free, which is how i think the nations must look from the outside. 

Strangers Like Me- Phil Collins

once again it’s all about that ostracisation! wanting to know what it’s like to be a person, when you’re representing people, and it’s just..yea

Like Real People Do- Hozier

dont u ever wish u were a real boy 

What’s Up?- 4 Non Blondes

this is sense8 propaganda. i really like the way this song is used to emphasize the way the sensates are both lonely but also that literally always they have each other, and i think the bonds between nations are sort of similar. 

God’s Away On Business- Tom Waits

this is mostly bc of the title tbh. i like the vibe of them being abominations too though, like 

Don’t Let This Feeling Fade- Lindsey Stirling, Rivers Cuomo

this song is super inspirational to me, and i think it’s because of this bit: 

“What really matters in life? Is it a sprint or a marathon? And what if finish lines make us happy? Or are we glad we can run at all? I never do it to lose, but losing occurs And when I do it for the love, lose never hurts Loose, loose grip on what I can't hold Who you fooling with a handful of fool's gold? Lose, lose, when you do it for the wins only Love gave you meaning, it never was a trophy It never was a trophy Yeah, enjoy the race, homie”

i think the idea of life being a marathon is especially aplicable to the nations, bc they have no idea when their marathon is going to end. at least you and i know we’re going to die someday, and some of the probable causes. the being glad to run at is also a bit strengthening to me because yeah life is such a wonderful thing, even if you’re cursed with so much of it. finally, the line about love giving you meaning, rather than a trophy, is something that’s just so. good line. but it also has another layer of meaning where the nations are concerned, because love for the nation literally gives them existence (imo) so. yeah. and then trying to enjoy it, because that’s all you really can do. idk its powerful to me

Where Do We Go- Lindsey Stirling, Carah Faye

i really like this song, specifically bc of the idea of where do we go from here, and just. the desolation. chef’s kiss. 

Those Days- Lindsey Stirling, Dan + Shay

nostalgia!

I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow- The Soggy Bottom Boys (from O Brother Where Art Thou)

idk this is more about the instrumentals. i think its a good vibe though

I’ll Fly Away- Gillian Welch (from O Brother Where Art Thou)

i want to break free! but make it country and old fashioned. it also puts an emphasis on weariness i think and thats something that i think the nations also struggle with

Sleep Now In The Fire- Rage Against The Machine

this song is a bit anti colonialism

The Chain- Fleetwood Mac

i think this fits into like. lost chances and opportunities and the struggle to go on

Left Alone- Fiona Apple

i like the idea that the nations beg to be left alone and while they’re loveable in some senses, their people find it hard to love them on a personal level. like everybody loved american but alfred is just some dude and most people don’t really care about him

Relay- Fiona Apple

i love the imagery in this song, about evil and hatred and all that. its very song

If I Could Turn Back Time- Cher

turning back time while also having a positive outlook! 

[Cuba, Argentina y España] [Dedicaciones a México] 

Cuba: “Dedico esta inspiración desde mi tierra cubana , esa tierra mexicana , México baila y canta “

Argentina: “No me sorprende quererte . Vengo de otros aires pero vivo en esta tierra que abrigo mi pobre y triste corazón. Por vos México siento este amor. Si tenerte es mi suerte ,apuesto a quererte y me la juego por vos”  (Super romántico pero agresivo, por que orgulloso <3)  

España: “México , que lindo México . Eres la tierra más bella. Yo e soñado con la gloria y te confundí con ella . E de llevar a mi España un puñado de tu tierra . Y si mis ojos se cierran en donde vieron la luz la han de poner en mi cruz. ¿Qué más puedo yo pedirte? Igual que cubre un rebozo o mantilla de manola. Tenga tierra mexicana revuelta con española.” (Ahgk lo amo tanto , tan pasional tan romantico mori)