Today few residents of Volodymyr-Volynsky are aware of its Jewish name, “Ludmir,” and if they are, it is thanks to my book. Naturally, it is no longer the city that it was before 1939. The Second World War and the communist regime fundamentally transformed the face of this city. There is practically nothing left of its Jewish community. The scant numbers of Jews who live in Volodymyr-Volynsky today are not natives of the city; they arrived here from other regions, as I did. Among them are schoolteachers, doctors, and pensioners. It is unfortunate that only a handful among them are interested in the traditions and faith of their people.

I am certain that I do not know every person with Jewish roots because even today people are loath to talk about this. Furthermore, not all of those who admitted to me that they are of Jewish ancestry can talk about this openly, and they made their admissions to me in secret.

I do not share their cautiousness because I have never encountered open hostility toward me as a Jew; on the contrary, I have met with respect and support.

—Volodymyr Muzychenko

Political map of Ukraine (current), showing Volodymyr-Volynski (Ludmir) at the top left. Used with permission from Ezilon.com.