Miss Ukraine – Yelizaveta Yastremskaya, who represented her country at Miss Universe last year, is visiting France. Invited by the Miss Languedoc-Roussillon committee, the 28-year-old hopes to raise funds for Ukrainian children through an online fundraiser. “I am appealing to the French for help because Ukraine really needs it,” she told us.
His eyes are made up in the colors of Ukraine. Yellow and blue, which have become a symbol of resistance throughout Europe. If her long princess dress gives her a festive air, Yelizaveta Yastremskaya has a serious look, almost lost. His life changed at the same time as that of his country, on the morning of February 24, when Russia attacked.
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The 28-year-old, who had to flee her hometown of Kiev without yet being able to return, is now using her best weapon to publicize her people’s fight for freedom. Her Miss Ukraine scarf, with which she participated in Miss Universe last year with France’s Amandine Petit.
Yelizaveta Yastremskaya was in Paris on Tuesday, June 14 where she was the guest of honor at the Gala des Bonnes Fées, the association of 17 Miss France that helps women victims of cancer. “We are very happy to welcome her as a little sister among us,” says Diane Leyre, Miss France 2022. “She is in France to raise funds for orphans in Ukraine.
It was important to invite him to explain his struggle. And if our patrons can help Ukraine a little bit, we will have killed two birds with one stone tonight,” adds Sylvie Tellier, president of the Miss France Society.
I woke up in Kiev on the first day of the war. I know what happened
Yelizaveta Yastremskaya
This Saturday, June 18, Yelizaveta Yastremskaya will be in the Hérault where she will attend the election of Miss Montpellier. The Miss Languedoc-Roussillon committee will donate the donations collected through an online fundraiser to the Ukrainian association Tvoya Opora. TF1info was able to talk for a few minutes with the Ukrainian beauty queen.
Why is it important for you to be in France today?
I’m with the Good Fairies tonight, but I came to France to be on the jury of Miss Montpellier. We raise funds for Ukrainian children with the Miss Languedoc-Roussillon committee. I also give a lot of interviews to talk about the situation in Ukraine. I think people need to hear my story because I woke up in Kiev on the first day of the war. I know what happened. I appeal to the French for help because Ukraine really needs it. We can win together.
Do you think you can be the good fairy of Ukrainian children?
That would be with pleasure. I love children, I led many projects with them before the war. Donations since the France for Ukrainian children can be made on the website of the Miss Languedoc-Roussillon committee.
You still live in Ukraine and you have made a long journey to get to us…
It was very long indeed. Airports are closed in Ukraine because of the war. I drove to Romania. From Romania, I flew to London. I made my connection at another London airport and then arrived in Paris.
What do you want people to know about the situation in Ukraine?
It is a real war. People are dying, cities are being bombed. It’s happening now, in the center of Europe. I think Ukraine has to win this war otherwise (It pauses) the aggressor may want to attack another country. I think everyone understands that. Ukraine is a starting point.
Critics of beauty pageants often mock the calls for peace made there. But today, it is a message that makes sense…
Yes, we want peace in the world and in Ukraine. We need it. We want to live normally and we want to go home, nothing more (she blows, very moved).” Women want to save their children. We really just want to live normally, that’s all.
The Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won eurovision. Do you think the world of culture can help to understand what is at stake in Ukraine?
Yes, but I think the whole world understands what is at stake in Ukraine. It’s really hard right now not to understand because everything is documented on videos, photos, in interviews… It’s very easy to be aware. It wasn’t 100 years ago, it’s now! We can see everything on the Internet and social networks.
Do you know what you will do when you return to Ukraine with your family?
(She thinks long and hard, very moved) Right now, I’m only thinking about one thing: that the war stops. This is my biggest dream in the world. Nothing more, really.
Miss Ukraine: “We want to go home and live normally, nothing more”
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