On February 24, 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. That frosty morning will forever go down in history. Although the Ukrainian winter has been going on for a year, the hope for spring is not extinguished in the hearts of the people of Ukraine and all its allies. The heroic deeds of the soldiers, the solidarity of the society, the heroic actions of the Ukrainian authorities are on the lips of people all over the world every day. From the first moments of the war, Poles were committed to helping the Ukrainian people: they welcomed refugees into their homes, sharing everything they had. The community of our center has also helped and continues to help the victims of the war: from fundraising to emotional and organizational support. Every day of the Russian aggression, we display a heart in the national colors of Ukraine on the Olivia Star building. Now we want to express our solidarity once again with those who are experiencing the tragedy of war.
On the 365th day of the war in Ukraine, we present selected photographs by Leonid Shevchuk. In the presented works, human emotions come to the fore. There are no battle scenes or wounded soldiers in the photos. The artist shows that despite the war drama unfolding around him, life goes on “normally”, albeit accompanied by anxiety about the next day.
About the Author: Leonid Shevchuk, born in 1967 A photographer by education and passion. Author of photographs published for years in the Ukrainian online and printed press. His work has won the Den newspaper photo contest many times. For more than 20 years, he has been running a photography group for young residents of Zhytomyr. He has organized many personal photographic exhibitions both in Ukraine and abroad – Shevchuk’s work could be seen in France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy. For several years now, the Youth Centre of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg has been hosting the photographer’s exhibition entitled “Against Hate”.
Opening of the exhibition “Heart with Ukraine” | February 24 | Hours. 17:00 | lobby of the Olivia Star building