Just now. Not far away

Just now. Not far away

For most people, the war in Ukraine is just a compilation of news in the media. But the news only reports a small part of what is actually happening in Ukraine since Russia invaded. The war has turned into thousands of stories of people who survived occupation and abuse, who witnessed the worst bombings, and who lost the most precious things in life. These are the stories of cities and towns that are now only in ruins. These are stories of millions of refugees who gave up their families, their homes and their homeland to escape the war. Stories of families separated and children left without parents. Stories of pain and beauty found in art.

Russia’s attack on the Ukraine is a fact of the inhuman brutality of the Russian invaders and the genocide of Ukrainians…. But there is also a place for numerous stories of struggle, liberation, freedom, encounters, happiness and quiet beauty of the brave Ukrainian people. All this awaits you in the great exhibition “Invasion 2022”.

The exhibition “Invasion 2022” will highlight the real consequences of the Russian aggression on Ukraine and the genocide of Ukrainians.

You will see photos of Ukrainian towns destroyed by Russian rockets, walk through the streets of Irpen and Gostomel, and hear interviews with survivors of the invasion.

We have collected artifacts from Ukrainian towns that were under Russian occupation, showing the consequences of the constant bombardment. You will see over hundreds of items from war sites, streets, schools and homes of Ukrainians. You will walk through the halls from the peaceful life to the aftermath of the war.

You’ll experience firsthand what it’s like to realize your life will never be the same, to survive evacuation, to find yourself in a bomb shelter, and to see what the “liberation” of Ukraine that Putin talks about looks like.

The exhibition also features installations, art in the forms of video, audio and performance, as well as VR and other art objects created by Ukrainian artists during the war.

The world must know what a Russian invasion of the Ukraine feels like

refugees

dead

children

Individual fates

As you read this, a rocket from a Russian warplane is exploding inside a school building in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Before the war, the city had 3 million inhabitants, more than 400 schools and 200 kindergartens. Pedestrians are injured several times, a 42-year-old woman dies on the spot. The rest of the 900 thousand residents who remained in the city continue to live among air raid alarms and the ruins of what was once their lives. Me…I am one of them.

Valentina, 54 years old. Kharkiv.

One day we heard a bunch of military tanks passing by, a shot was fired nearby, and the windows of our house were broken. My friends and I immediately ran to the basement.
Soon we heard footsteps on the stairs, the door opened and someone unlocked a machine gun…. At that moment, I thought my life was over. Those few seconds felt like an eternity, I couldn’t stop crying.
Two soldiers came in. Through my tears I kept shouting, “We are peaceful people, we are unarmed, we are peaceful people, we are unarmed, we are peaceful people, we are unarmed.” We were taken outside, there were standing a lot of men with about 50 different nationalities. All armed, very dirty and smelling. One of the men came up to me and lied to my face by saying, “We are here to help you! We are not barbarians or thieves. We are looking for Banderites and Fascists.” At that, they turned the whole house upside down and searched our backpacks and valuables. Ivan and I were ordered to undress down to our underwear while a machine gun was pointed at us. They took our phones, immediately broke them and took all our money. When I went upstairs to get warm clothes and blankets, one of the soldiers threatened to shoot me in the legs to make me move faster.

Nikita Fedirko, 32 years old, Vorzel

The Ukrainian citizen Yura was treated in a disgusting way. During the searches he was taken to the battlefield with a bag over his head, where he was shot at with artillery because he was wearing a passport with the inscription “Slava Ukraine” (Glory to Ukraine) and military shoes. They tried to psychologically break him by shooting over his head, only to eventually leave him scared and traumatized. Yura was very helpful throughout the evening, and I supported and comforted him with both words and hugs.

Nikita Fedirko, 32 years old, Vorzel

It can happen to any of us

Partners

"Sich"

Ukrainian Public Organisation

"National Memorial to the Heavenly Hundred Heroes and Revolution of Dignity museum"

"Independent Ukraine"

Charitable Fund

impressum

Just now. Not far away