Writing letters is vital!
As with depriving one of the senses sharpens all the others, those deprived of their freedom start perceiving their lives differently, because freedom itself is a vital organ—stripping of it changes one’s perception of life fatally.
Truth be told, my sentimentality grew on me greatly over the course of the last few years. All the things that I experience and try to conceive, they bring a lot of emotions. All the letters move me deeply, too. Every one of them carries a distinct flavor, a tiny universe, which I am invited to participate with, to step back from all the hardships, to immerse myself in it and forget about all trouble.
Sometimes a letter is like a teleport to other places, other lands, sometimes—like a time machine that takes you back in time, via memories, or far into the future, via fantasies or even bold plans. But letter’s occurrence is even more precious than its contents, it represents the fact that someone felt for you, took the time and the effort to write you and express their support. This fact stirs your soul. But even more, it helps to preserve the sense of life, shows you that you have not been shut off, you’re on the radar, someone remembers you and waits for you. That is beyond the price.
I like answering letters and writing in volume, sometimes I add a minute sketch or a photo. But all too often letters go missing, and it’s a challenge not to fret over them. But I learn the ropes. The circumstances have been infixing a great deal in me—patience and tolerance, above all, with and to everything and everyone, but also coming to terms with limitations: acceptance helps greatly to relish such a life.
In the long haul, we do not need much to be happy. Withdrawing from daily hustle and bustle helps recognize it—I used to escape from it to the mountains or to the rooftops of my hometown, to enjoy their peace. You can also get a grasp of it by loosing something or someone important. So far, every one of us lost something, and life became so distorted, one can hardly discern its essence and its purpose. I think, this fact has a great cunning to it too: someone said that only through pain can you achieve greatness, and those who have not been torn are asleep. We were sleeping fast, refusing to arouse, ignoring all the annoyances.
In the long haul, we do not need much to be happy. Withdrawing from daily hustle and bustle helps recognize it—I used to escape from it to the mountains or to the rooftops of my hometown, to enjoy their peace. You can also get a grasp of it by loosing something or someone important. So far, every one of us lost something, and life became so distorted, one can hardly discern its essence and its purpose. I think, this fact has a great cunning to it too: someone said that only through pain can you achieve greatness, and those who have not been torn are asleep. We were sleeping fast, refusing to arouse, ignoring all the annoyances.
But a genuine happiness exists not far off. It is embodied in a smile or a hug from your loved ones, in their good deeds and caring words. And if it turns out that no such person is in your life, one can become such for those who need it. I have an unwavering commitment to love—I believe, it has a tireless force in each of us, and it repays handsomely to express love. This is the essence: to love by hell or high water, to love each other, and to love life.
All who express their love in letters—you have my undying gratitude. Your support is tremendous, and it fill me with a greatest feeling of confidence—in myself, my actions, in others, in humanity, and lastly, in life itself. Though still confined, I believe that life persists. And this is what letter mean. Write letters to prisoners as it is a vital thing. My apologies to those of you to whose letters I have failed to answer personally. I hope this letter with find you. Please know that I read and hold on to every letter in hopes that one day, I will be able to write back to each one, as you deserve. Until then I remain yours truly,
Bogdan Ziza ☀️
08/31/2025
(Translated from Russian)