In February 2014, the new war in Europe began with Russia’s attack on Ukraine and occupation of the Crimean Peninsula. In February 2022, the war of aggression spread to the whole of Ukraine. The war has changed Europe and the world – not only politics, but also the souls of people.

On the occasion of the remembrance day of the outbreak of the war of aggression, the Polish artist Renata Rara Kaminska and the Ukrainian artist Alevtina Kakhidze have joined forces to create an artistic symbol.

A site-specific installation is being created for St. Matthew’s Church around the theme of “borders” – a dialogue between the artists, with the history of their home countries and with the church interior, which can be understood as a resonance chamber of hope.

The exhibition opening took place on January 10, with a welcome address by Hannes Langbein, director of the St. Matthew Foundation, and an introduction by Dr. Kateryna Rietz-Rakul, director of the Ukrainian Institute in Germany.

A closing event will take place at St. Matthew’s Church on February 24. The Ambassador of Ukraine, Oleksii Makeiev, and the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Poland, Jan Tombiński, will welcome the guests. Afterwards, a panel discussion organized by the Ukrainian Institute in Germany will take place. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Kateryna Rietz-Rakul, director of the institute. Participants include Prof. Dr. Jörg Heiser (UdK Berlin), Kim Brian Dudek (Director of the Chemnitzer Pochen Biennale), as well as representatives of the Polish Institute.

The exhibition can be visited from January 11 to February 24, 2025 during the opening hours of St. Matthew’s Church.