(L-R) Sofia Pacheco, Public Relations Officer at European Parliament; Inna Yaremenko, Vice President of LUkraine; Anne Calteux, Head of Representation of European Commission to Luxembourg; Luxembourg MEP Charles Goerens; n/c; Kateryna Mostova;
Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Thursday 20 February 2025, the inauguration of the exhibition "Unveiled Ukraine" took place at the Europa Experience installation at the European Parliament in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.
The exhibition by Ukrainian photographer Kateryna Mostova, organised in collaboration with local non-profit LUkraine asbl, the European Parliament and the Representation of the European Commission in Luxembourg, shares Ms Mostova’s vision of the impacts of the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Her photos, deliberately displayed in damaged and smashed frames, capture the impact of the war across all parts of Ukraine, featuring unmarked graves, destroyed cars in a forest, sandbags piled high in cities and the war-scarred beauty of the countryside. These images are accompanied by displays which feature the testimonies of other Ukrainians and how their lives have been upended as a result of Russia’s continued transgressions against Ukraine.
Public Relations Officer at the European Parliament, Sofia Pacheco, opened the event, welcoming those in attendance and providing an overview of the evening’s proceedings. She closed her introduction by choosing to quote European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, repeating: "I am proud that this Parliament has stood with Ukraine from the very first moment, united and wavering. We will keep pushing for peace, but peace must be just, peace must be dignified and it must be based on the principle of nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine."
Luxembourg Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Charles Goerens, then addressed those in attendance, choosing to comment on the current situation in Ukraine, the upcoming German elections and the ongoing political ramifications involving the US, Russia and China and their impact on Europe. He then extended his thanks to the Ukrainians in attendance, saying: "Thank you for giving me the honour of addressing an audience of Ukrainians who, in the coming year, will devote all their energy to gaining the knowledge and skills they need to shape and contribute to the world they intend to share with us. Tomorrow's world for Europe means upholding the rule of law. It's a Europe where law triumphs over violence."
It was then the turn of Head of the Representation of the European Commission to Luxembourg, Anne Calteux, to add her thoughts regarding the situation in Ukraine and the importance of solidarity within the European Union, stressing: "We will support you [Ukraine] until we have a lasting and a sound peace and also, in order to guarantee your security and also our security, we will also continue to work on your accession [to the European Union]. We have said that very clearly in the last days. Our enlargement with Ukraine is our objective, so we will work together on this objective with you."
She also took the opportunity to extend her thanks to those in attendance, adding: "Thank you so much for so many of you being here and let's really make the most of this meeting and of this exhibition which opens our eyes in the wake of the third anniversary of this brutal war. Images speak more than words. Kateryna, thank you so much for putting your artistic skills to our awareness raising. This is what we need. We need to be reminded that there is no time for fatigue and that we are in this together. Thank you very much. Long live Europe, long live Europe."
Vice President of LUkraine asbl, Inna Yaremenko, then took to the podium to give her thoughts on the exhibition, commenting: "Talking about this project, I want to say there are two important things for me. First of all, we support Ukrainian artists that left the war, like Kateryna, and they need huge support. And second, as Anne already mentioned, it's a very powerful tool of cultural diplomacy. that help us to raise awareness about the situation in Ukraine, where people, where Ukrainians fighting already almost, imagine, almost eleven years for our common values and for our common freedom. So thank you very much for this support."
It was then time for photographer Kateryna Mostova to address the event. Commenting on the impact of the ongoing war with Russia, her journey as a refugee and how she has been allowed to rebuild her life in Luxembourg, Ms Mostova stressed the importance of her work and that, despite it not being an experience from which she can draw pleasure, it was necessary that these events be recorded, stating: "With this project, I want to show you, dear guests, how Russia is destroying Ukraine and Ukrainian territories. And most importantly, to show the war through the eyes of [the] ordinary people who were forced to leave Crimea and Donbass when [the] Russian military invasion began in 2014. Through this project, I want to give a voice to those who have experienced war so their stories are never forgotten."
After the speeches, guests were invited to enjoy refreshments before Ukrainian musical duo Belle Bandura provided entertainment with a variety of traditional Ukrainian music. To round off the event, Kateryna Mostova then provided a guided tour of her exhibition to those in attendance.
The Unveiled Ukraine exhibition at the Europa Experience, Adenauer Building, 17 Avenue John F. Kennedy (Luxembourg-Kirchberg) runs from Friday 21 February to Saturday 12 April 2025. Entry is free.
SM
