From 27 March to 27 April Daugavpils will host an immersive audiovisual exhibition “Ukraine. Rupture”. The exhibition is a multimedia experience combining images, audio and text bringing together authentic stories, photographs and testimonies of war victims, providing a deep insight into the disturbing reality of the Ukrainian people.
As Denis Vejas, one of the authors of the exhibition and NARA’s multimedia content creator, told at the opening event on 27 March, the exhibition was created over two months – during two trips to Ukraine – capturing the real, raw emotions of war-torn communities. The documented material is more than a graphic, evocative reflection of events, but also a testament to the resilience, strength and unity of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. The exhibition depicts the breaking point in the modern times history of Ukraine when everyone became a participant in the war – now everyone is involved and there is hardly a safe place left in the country.
The exhibition delves into the nature of the conflict, highlighting its wide-ranging impact on Ukrainian society. From the mobilisation of combatants to the daily struggles of refugees, the war has affected every aspect of life, leaving scars that may never fully heal.
The exhibition has already been shown in six locations in Lithuania. The mood of the opening was enhanced by a modern dance performance by Viktorija Kovaļova un Kristina Kovaļova. Indrė Kiršaitė, editor and journalist at the NARA and curator of the exhibition, is pleased to bring this powerful work of art to Daugavpils, Latvia.
“We are trying to show the exhibition in the Russian-speaking cities of the Baltic States because, according to research, ethnic minorities in these regions are more perceptive to Russian disinformation. I am convinced that it is possible to give people a different perspective through art,” she explained.
Our colleague Vadims Murašovs leaned on that in his opening remarks:
“Art is an efficient language for communicating this rupture, which has taken various forms, and unfortunately, some of them can also be found here around us. We hope that this audiovisual exhibition will succeed in reaching out to different audiences living in the same place yet simultaneously often in isolated bubbles. By evoking emotions, it can facilitate dialogue and become an effective platform for building trust and understanding in local community. To support and guide this process, the project envisages an extensive educational programme that will be run by the competent New East team during the following weeks.”
Viktor, attendant of the opening event, shared his impressions:
“I came to the exhibition following an inner call of empathy. The theme of the exhibition is of utmost importance because it reflects the greatest global turmoil of our time, which deserves appropriate global attention. This exhibition gives an opportunity to see and hear for myself the nightmare created by the opressive Kremlin regime.”
The exhibition is organised by the Lithuanian journalists’ association NARA together with partner LRT and with financial support from the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office. The opening event was hosted by Joren Dobkiewicz, founder and CEO of the New East, and Indre Kiršaitė, editor and journalist at NARA. The exhibition was covered by local regional media in Russian, Chayka.lv and RUS.LSM.
Photographers: Benas Gerdziunas and Denis Vėjas
Audio installation by Tomas Valkauskas and Adomas Zubė
Curators in Lithuania: Gabriele Janilionytė and Indre Kiršaite
Curators in Latvia: Joren Dobkiewicz and Alina Hachetlova
The exhibition “Ukraine. Rupture” is open until April 27 at the premises of the Culture Institute “New East” in Daugavpils, 18. novembra iela 41A.
Entrance: FREE.
