Stories of Human Interest:
Women Worth Admiring
MODEL 63 · PAGS 2027 · B2 ENGLISH
馃 Concept Activation
⭐ Task 0: Beyond Survival
Beyond Survival: The Story of Angelica Shalagina
It is widely acknowledged that true strength is forged in the fires of adversity. This is perfectly exemplified by the social media influencer Angelica Shalagina, who has recently released her harrowing memoir, Alive. In her autobiographical account, she describes growing up in the Donbas region of Ukraine, born as Marina into a life of poverty and extreme hardship during the 1990s—a time of economic collapse in post-Soviet Ukraine.
Angelica’s early years were defined by severe trauma and a lack of safety and love in her home, including what she describes as abuse within her family. Not only did she endure these challenges, but she also suffered within a domestic environment where she felt unprotected. Were it not for her passion for books and writing, which became her escape and later her source of strength, she might never have survived the psychological toll of her youth. It was through these words that she eventually found the strength to reclaim her identity, choosing the name Angelica as a way to separate herself from the trauma associated with her birth name.
Angelica’s journey of self-discovery and resilience is deeply intertwined with her identity as a Ukrainian. Growing up in a heavily Russified environment, she initially struggled with her cultural identity. However, it was the war in Donbas whose impact finally forced her to confront the loss of her city, her childhood, and her sense of belonging, ultimately leading her to embrace her Ukrainian heritage. If she had not lived through the experience of war and occupation in Donbas, she might not have become the powerful advocate she is today.
Her writing is raw, honest, and deeply personal, reflecting her pain, strength, and determination to share the truth about her life and the region she calls home. "You’d rather face a painful truth than live a comfortable lie," Angelica seems to suggest through her prose. Through her words, she seeks to give voice to the forgotten stories of Donbas and its people, offering a glimpse into the resilience and humanity that persist even in the face of unimaginable suffering.
Such is her determination that her story has become a reflection of the struggles faced by many in Ukraine. Her writing can be read as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of those who survive, resist, and rebuild, reminding us of the humanity that remains even when the world seems to have turned away.
Author: Maria Drutska
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