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Stephen Fry’s Inspiring Mission of Empathy, Bridging Ukraine’s Reality with Global Compassion

Stephen Fry’s Inspiring Mission of Empathy, Bridging Ukraine’s Reality with Global Compassion

With the release of Stephen Fry's latest video collaboration with UNITED24, we are reminded of the poignant and deeply human moments that define his relationship with Ukraine and its people living through war.

4 min read
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Val_voshchevska
Valeriia Voshchevska
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On September 4, 2023, a photo of a sleeper train went viral across Ukrainian social media, garnering tens of thousands of likes within hours. The image showed a typical Ukrainian train compartment filled with the belongings of a traveler, accompanied by a simple caption: “A sleeper car from the Polish border to Kyiv. Arriving there now…” For Ukrainians, sleeper trains have become a ubiquitous mode of transportation. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, they have proven to be the most reliable way to travel across the country and one of the few options for crossing the border into Europe.

So, why did this seemingly mundane photo capture so much attention?

Source: Stephen Fry’s Instagram (4th September 2023.)
Source: Stephen Fry’s Instagram (4th September 2023.)

Because it was posted by the legendary British actor, comedian, narrator, and writer Stephen Fry. He was on his way to Kyiv, the capital of a country that, despite the relentless onslaught of the Russian army, was fighting back with resilience. And so thousands of Ukrainians couldn’t contain their excitement.

This marked a significant moment in the connection between Stephen Fry, Ukraine, and its people. Known as the narrator of the Harry Potter audiobooks, which many millennials worldwide still listen to before bed, Fry had embarked on a journey to witness a country at war and understand how it was affecting the lives of those enduring it daily. Over the following week, Fry shared more snapshots from his time in Kyiv—signs pointing to bomb shelters, destroyed Russian tanks, plates of Chicken Kyiv, and scenes of everyday life. He illustrated the startling dichotomy of war and normal life, showing the world what many Ukrainians were experiencing daily.

Fry’s visit had another mission. He was there to host the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen, a conference that focused on mental health in times of war, at the invitation of Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska. But in the process, during his time in Kyiv, he brought hope and humanity to millions of Ukrainians who followed his journey. Familiar places in his photos felt like a bridge between the resilience of Ukraine and global solidarity. In a message of thanks, Ms. Zelenska noted, “No matter what topic we were discussing at the forum, you always had a warm smile for Ukrainians, and everyone in the hall felt it.” That warmth was echoed across the country, too.

Stephen Fry, a mental health advocate, documented his journey beyond Instagram in a documentary exploring the mental health of ordinary Ukrainians—ranging from soldiers to artists, families, and widows—living through the war. The film’s YouTube caption reads: “He experiences an air raid for the first time, while a stint at stand-up makes him realize just how important humor has become to surviving the war.” It is clear, once again, that humanity permeates every aspect of his work. 

Stephen Fry has remained deeply involved in supporting Ukraine. He has backed numerous humanitarian initiatives and has continued to connect with Ukrainians on a human level. Most notably, he read a Ukrainian Christmas story for children on Christmas Day in 2023 on the BBC and participated in an event called Ukrainian Carols of Hope in the middle of King’s Cross St. Pancras station in London this year.

Driven by empathy, Fry has built a bridge between the realities of life in Ukraine and the rest of the world. In his latest initiative with the UNITED24 fundraising platform, he reminds everyone that “being human has never been easy,” yet we have the power to support those enduring hardship, like the people of Ukraine. He speaks sincerely, encouraging us to embrace compassion and self-awareness in a world that frequently pushes us toward different paths. 

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