Kootenay residents were able to able to witness the Ukraine war through the eyes of children this weekend as the virtual reality exhibition ‘War Up Close & Arts’ was on display in Castlegar.
Gregory Crew, Sunflower Dreams Project representative, says seeing the war this unique way has a deeper emotional impact than reading it in the newspaper or seeing it on TV.
“We are international volunteers who’ve taken this artwork from an art therapy program in Lviv, Ukraine, touring it in Europe and North America to raise exposure of the plight of the children and the trauma that they’ve gone through, and also raise money so that the artists- a mother and daughter team in Lviv- can continue holding these art therapy sessions in Lviv.” said Crew.
“It kind of grabs you and opens you up in ways that you might not expect, and this is a range of artwork from both the traumatic depictions of actual fighting and war to the more hopeful, what the children might be dreaming about when they think of the war over and being reunited with their father or their mother who they may not have seen.”
“Its the whole experience of the war, the human experience of what’s going on, on the ground in Ukraine through the eyes of a child and it’s been very, very compelling.”
Being delivered via virtual reality, exhibitors were able to fully immerse themselves into the experience and see the destruction captured in the 90 days following the beginning of the war in 2022.
Olga Hallborg, volunteer coordinator with Maple Hope Foundation, says she couldn’t stand by when the injustice began happening and has since started as a volunteer to raise awareness and funds to help Ukraine.
“Canadians generally are very sensitive to democratic values, justice, freedom, and independence, it means a lot to Canadians.” said Olga.
“And while they were supporting Ukraine strongly from beginning of the full-scale invasion, right now it’s even more meaningful when their own independence is being challenged.”
“Of course, its just words, but we know from example of Ukraine that words often turn into acts and then there is an issue, and I’m very glad that Canadians are getting together already and getting stronger in their identification as an independent country, which values justice and freedom.”
“An event like this helps us to re-establish our values. To remember them, not just something written in some official documents, but when we’re finding those values in our hearts and we’re acting according to our values, so, that’s why I think it’s very meaningful in this community.”
The event drew overwhelming support from the community.
“I’m eternally grateful always for goodness, supporting our efforts and raising funds and raising awareness and they exceeded even my high expectations.”
Maple Hope Foundation is a Ukrainian Canadian non-profit organization based in Vancouver, providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, such as medical supplies and mental health services.
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNow News Alerts.
