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Photo Exhibit of War Torn Ukraine Evokes Strong Emotions
Photo Exhibit of War Torn Ukraine Evokes Strong Emotions
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
While the global spotlight of war in Ukraine has dimmed considerably since it first came into view during Russia’s full scale invasion that began on Feb. 24, 2022, people from that country and people here in Canada are turning the focus back on the ongoing tragedy through a special exhibition.
The exhibit titled: ‘The War Is Not Over’ features photographs and stories taken and written since the war began. It has been produced by the Ukrainian National Youth Federation (UNYF) Edmonton members Inna Ivchenko, Oleksandra Pasieka, Diana Kotsyuba, Kateryna Didukh, Myroslava Soloha, Dmytro Psyokha, Sviatoslav Pylypchyk and Ukrainian Canadian Congress Edmonton.
The exhibit was showcased at the Ukrainian National Hall in Smoky Lake on Dec. 16 through the efforts of a group of local residents who have named themselves the Smoky Lake Supporters of Ukraine. One of those supporters is Pat Palechuk, who welcomed everyone to the exhibit.
Palechuk stated, “Imagine 94 weeks ago, the country that many of us call our ancestral homeland declared war! Sadly, we are here today to create awareness and come together to acknowledge the War Is Not Over and recovery is a distant thought to those newcomers in our community, province and country amongst those still there fighting.
The loss and suffering is great, thus it is our hope to raise money for the children in the hospitals of Kviv in Ukraine.”
UNYF Edmonton member Inna Ivchenko also addressed the crowd, saying that “the exhibition is meant to highlight the magnitude of the humanitarian catastrophe, the extent of horror inflicted by Russia and the stories of courageous Ukrainians who lives were ruthlessly taken or forever altered by this war.”
Ivchenko said it is also important to understand that if Russia stops fighting the war will end. However, if Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no more Ukraine. “And while Russia stands for terrorism, aggression and crime, Ukraine stands for freedom, independence and democracy. This is why we need to continue to support Ukraine and continue to speak about the ruthless crimes that Russia continues to commit there every day.”
Ivchenko also asked attendees, about 150 in total, to take photos and videos of the exhibition and share it on social media and to continue to speak about the war. “People need to know. People must not forget, that the war is not over in Ukraine, that Ukraine still needs help. We are the voice of Ukraine outside of its borders. It is our duty to not keep silent and help Ukraine in this information war as well.”
Members of the Smoky Lake Supporters of Ukraine, Yurii and Maryna Kudrenko, fled their home in Kharkiv, Ukraine and arrived in Smoky Lake on June 8, 2022, with their son Denys and Maryna’s parents. Maryna smiles and said the very next day their friend Adam Kozakiewicz took their son to school.
While the transition to Canadian life has been challenging, they are grateful for the support of Adam and his family as well as other people in the community. Both Yurii and Maryna have found jobs and are adapting to their new lives here. Their minds, however, are not far away from their homeland. Yurii scrolls through a few pictures on his cell phone. He smiles wistfully, looking at a photo of three of his friends’ back home standing beside his car that he gave to them to use. He prays for them and many others as the war continues to rage on.
Ivchenko does not believe the war will be over a year from now, and it is hard for her to be separated from her parents, who are still back home. She said they need to continue to raise awareness about what is going on there. “The pictures are reality.” The horrors of war all too clear, and the stories of the victims will not be forgotten. “You don’t need to be Ukrainian to support Ukraine. You need to be human.”
