A photo exhibition “Free People” took place at “Kryjivka” dedicated to the anniversary of Revolution of Dignity. Pavlo Didula, a photographer, was an active member at Maidan. Who are Free People, how the idea has come up, why Maidan photos differ from other photos – all these answers you can find in an interview with Pavlo Didula, an inspirer of Free People.

- The first question that has been probably asked you many times - how did you come up with a title?

Pavlo: This title is like a declaration and a heart cry, a human wish. It was put by the God from birth and has come up when you realize it should be out. It happened during the Revolution. Although, my friends and I chose the very title “Free People” about three years ago for our company as it didn’t have any organizational structure, a leader…

- Now I’ve understood, it’s a company)))

Pavlo: Yes. And we thought that our company must have some name and decided to arrange our dream in a written form. February 15 is a birthday of our company. It’s the date when I prepared series of photos “Angels”, people with wings. There was an exhibition at Ruska Street where I gave wings to different people.

- Now it’s clear because many people can think that the title was established at Maidan. 

Pavlo: The fact is that it happened at Maidan. Andriy Zhupnyk called “Free People” a defending group (“sotnya”)... He is my friend from the Scout Organization. I wasn’t a part of that group yet, I just visited Maidan from time to time, spoke with people where I could join. I worked in the kitchen during Maidan. And when Maidan was dispersed in December I became a part of group 15, a Scout one, where I have many friends. Then I saw a flag “Free People”. It’s just a coincidence. Symbols and signs are very important to me in life, I take them very seriously, they are my sign roads that lead me during my life and won’t let me fall down.

- Is it worth to be free?

Pavlo: Such question doesn’t exist for me as it’s the most natural for each person to be free. An issue can only lie in freedom demonstration – it’s some illusion or invention.

- Is your photograph interest also freedom demonstration?

Pavlo: Of course, creativity and freedom coincide. It’s like an internal search, a search for answers.

I am finding my freedom in photos, other people can find it in business, in politics, etc.

- Thus,freedomisanessentialguide in life and does everything comply with it?

Pavlo: I wish everything could comply with freedom but it depends on various circumstances. Unfortunately, it sometimes doesn’t go well as you want.

- What’s internal freedom for you?…

Pavlo: Internal freedom is what I am speaking about. External freedom merely depends on internal. And there can’t be external freedom without internal… Or it will be an illusion…

- Declarationoffreepeople: arethesepostulatesthemostimportantandprincipal? Oranyonecanaddsomethingdependingonhisownexperienceorbelief? 

Pavlo: Of course, everyone can add and everyone MUST add. I’ve even looked through them – I would add now – I AM A PROFESSIONAL. It’s an attempt to change yourself partially.  So, this declaration is like road signs: even if there are no signs on the road, you go further.

- Please tell us what freedom means to you.

Pavlo: Freedom is something that cannot be broken. I was brought up in Christian traditions. Although I am not so firm as I wish to have been, sometimes my faith is shaking, that’s why I don’t know if I can speak so confidently about it but the heart of my freedom is my personal relationships with the Christ.

- Correlationbetweenfreedomandresponsibility…?

Pavlo: I have problems with it…… (laughing)

- What do you mean?

Pavlo: Of course, freedom is closely connected with responsibility. But as I am not still a professional I can’t know where I can be fully responsible.

- Correlationbetweenfreedomandresponsibility…. Howdoyouseeit? RegardingevenMaidan – it’sontheonehand, aspiritoffreedom, ontheotherhand– display of people’s will…

Pavlo: In Ukrainian history such freedom was shown during Haydamaky period. Maidan is a display of freedom that happened not in time. A person has to express his opinion. Each time expressing his thought is a person’s duty. If there is something that he doesn’t like in relationships, he says what he thinks about it. When you are silent for a long time and you don’t express your opinions, you’ll shout what you want and you can take even weapon if you want to prove something. That’s why, I am against revolutions, I want them to turn into evolutions. People should look for internal freedom, and then everything will happen naturally.

- Not to drive to extremes….

Pavlo: Yes, without driving to extremes …

- There were some questions about dignity in your previous interviews. What is dignity for you?

Pavlo: Actually, understanding of dignity is at the stage of searching but, to my mind, internal freedom is very closely connected with dignity. To some extent, they can be even identical as in this case. When you step by step become free, you realize your dignity, who you are. And then wings appear. This is what I wanted to show in my works at the exhibition. Dignity is wings that you little by little are aware.

-What’s your attitude to people that were standing behind barricade at Maidan? Sometimes you feel pity for them, I mean, in spiritual sense…

Pavlo: In fact, you’ve answered already).

 -  If you have such opportunity whatwouldyousaythose guyswho beat you? Do you think you would manage to speak and convince them what we are talking about?

Pavlo: If there’s a possibility of a dialogue, there is a wish to change yourself. But the ideas talking about here are impossible to deliver.  

Here is a short Pavlo’s video.