Every day at 9:00 since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a minute of silence has been held all over Ukraine to honor those who have been killed in the war. The goal? To allow everyone who finds themselves in public spaces to grieve collectively and show respect for those who have died.

Oksana Dovhopolova, a curator and the founder of the Mynule/ Maibutnie/ Mystetstvo (Past/ Future/ Art) platform, writes in the Ukraina Moderna (Modern Ukraine) magazine that many of todays’ remembrance practices and ways to process tragedy are underpinned by care.

“Ukrainian society has been profoundly traumatized… But there is a thin thread of extreme sensitivity and care, which was made possible by the war, with everyone finding themselves at the threshold between life and death and being prepared to share the pain of others… Maybe this will underpin the new mode of memory that’s being formed in Ukraine today,” Dovhopolova writes.

The Village Ukraine talked to several cafés across Ukraine about why they observe the minute of silence, how it affects their routine operations, and how their customers respond to it – as well as about how taking a moment to pay respect to those killed in the war can be an act of self-care.

Ukrainian society has been profoundly traumatized… But there is a thin thread of extreme sensitivity and care, which was made possible by the war, with everyone finding themselves at the threshold between life and death and being prepared to share the pain of others… Maybe this will underpin the new mode of memory that’s being formed in Ukraine today,

Dovhopolova writes.

The Village Ukraine talked to several cafés across Ukraine about why they observe the minute of silence, how it affects their routine operations, and how their customers respond to it – as well as about how taking a moment to pay respect to those killed in the war can be an act of self-care.

Druzhba, Parking Coffee, Shchyro

We have customers at our sports hub and cafés who joined the military and were killed in combat.  And there are those who have lost their partners, brothers, sisters, friends, and children.

As a team that interacts with a large number of customers daily, and that cares about having a great environment and excellent service, we see that some people unfortunately forget why we are able to continue enjoying the small daily pleasures we are used to.

When Olena Ryzh, a servicewoman, explained the ethos behind the minute of silence to us, we understood how important it was. Everything stops just for a minute, and it’s an opportunity to think about those who can no longer have a coffee or join a morning strength training class. That’s the ethos we have to convey to the next generation.

– Davyd Horokhovskyi, cofounder

BWTC Café & Roasters 

We introduced the minute of silence at our coffee shop and production facilities in May 2024. We decided to do it after Iryna Tsybukh’s lecture at the Veteran Hub in early May. She explained, methodically and in detail, citing research, why it’s important to have a public culture of remembering those who enable us to continue living our lives each day.

We dedicated BWTC café’s first minute of silence to Roman Skrypka, a customer of ours who was killed last autumn. We believe that the minute of silence has to be part of every Ukrainian’s life. It’s important and necessary to remember. It’s a moment to honor the privilege of sharing our blood and our country with people fighting for our freedom.

Of course at first we were curious to see how our customers would react to the fact that we can’t serve them during this minute. But we found it reassuring that they knew what was going on (there are signs at the tills and we pause the music) and joined in. Not a single person has left the café during that minute.

– Yana Bilym, manager 

100 Rokiv Tomu Vpered, Poltava, Inshi

Ukraine has to pause what it’s doing at 09:00 each day to honor the fallen soldiers. It’s only a minute, but it carries so much meaning. It’s all about gratitude and respect, and the culture of remembering and honoring the people defending Ukraine.

It’s simple and necessary. That’s why all of our restaurants (100 Rokiv Tomu Vpered, Poltava, Inshi) and dark kitchens stop their work for a minute and observe the silence. We do it ourselves and we encourage all Ukrainians to join in this simple gesture.

– Olha Chasovska, marketing manager at Inakshi Holding

Spelta

We have been thinking about observing the minute of silence in our café for quite a while. We finally decided to implement it in late August this year and are very glad that our staff and customers support this initiative. They stand up or just bow their heads to honor [the memory of those killed in the war].

We understand that cafés and restaurants might have doubts about whether this sad and uncharacteristic gesture is appropriate for the middle of busy breakfast service at 09:00, or whether it’s depressing,  but we must always remember those making it possible for us to have breakfast on outdoor patios in the summer, or to do our work in peace.

Heroes must not be forgotten. We have to be grateful and honor their heroic deeds.

 – Halyna Dunai, COO at Spelta and Foodspot

Cheese Bakery

From our café on Halytska Street, we can see funerals and memorial services for soldiers taking place on the Rynok (Market) Square in Lviv almost every day. For us and for our customers, observing the minute of silence is about fulfilling a private need rather than about meeting certain demands or standards.

Stopping in the middle of the workday to honor the fallen heroes and think about people who have given their lives for Ukraine is a reminder of whom we owe the opportunity to live freely, to have breakfast at our favorite spots, to do business, and plan for tomorrow. It is also a daily reminder that we need to help our military.

– Tania and Andrii Mykytyn, cofounders

First Point

We started observing the minute of silence in late May this year, after an event organized by Iryna Tsybukh as part of the Vshanui (Honor) project. The event was held to encourage small businesses to think about remembrance. I think Iryna has a talent for inspiring people to take action when it really matters.

Some of our staff are serving in the Armed Forces and defending Ukraine. We also have a lot of soldiers and volunteers among our customers. This minute of silence is dedicated to them as well, it’s our way of showing our respect and gratitude.

Our customers support [this initiative], most of them stand up – and those who don’t likely have just never observed the minute of silence before. We think that this gesture unites people, in a way, without the need for words. Everyone has something to be silent about.

– Olha Kustenko and Yurii Bezditnyi, co-owners

Bakehouse

We started observing the nationwide minute of silence this July. For us, it’s about honoring those who have made it possible for us to live in a free country. Those who have lost their lives in Russia’s war against Ukraine – those whom we have no right to forget. 

It’s our way of remembering, of expressing gratitude, and of reminding ourselves that we have to be worthy of each Hero. Our staff proposed that we implement the minute of silence. We are lucky to have committed and conscientious staff. People are always the catalysts of action.

I’ll be honest, I can’t say how our customers respond to the initiative. Of course they stop, and I think they thank [Ukrainian soldiers] in their thoughts. But for the most part, we joined the initiative for ourselves. We’re not trying to teach anyone any lessons or to spread the idea. We’re just doing what matters to us.

– Yaryna Udala, head of Bakehouse Garage

Café Mariia

We live in the time when everyone has loved ones, friends, colleagues or acquaintances who have joined the military. It’s our reality. We think it’s our duty and our responsibility to remember and honor the people who have given their life for our country. As a community, we have taken responsibility to make our customers and the society in general aware of the minute of silence.

The café stops in its tracks at 09:00, and has every day for a few months now, to honor the fallen soldiers. It’s part of our daily routine now. It’s good to see that more and more customers are joining us every day to observe this minute.

– Mariia Pidvysotska, communications manager