Photo credit: Doors Through the Horrors of War
WHAT IF … you leave home in the morning to go to work, to school, to the gym, or to meet a friend for coffee, maybe take your mother out for lunch, or drive baba to the doctor … ?
WHAT IF … you return home and …
WHAT IF … all there is … a shrapnel-filled door and your set of keys, in your pocket?
This is the Ukrainian reality every day, poignantly presented by Crimean-Ukrainian artist Ruslan Kurt in his installation, “Doors Through the Horrors of War”; also featured in a documentary, “Doors of War.”
Check out the remarkably unique exhibition, “Tridents & Tanks: Ukraine’s Struggle for Freedom” at the Canadian Tank Museum, in Oshawa, Ontario, ending soon [September 14].
It includes an interactive component with seasonal postcards available for visitors to write a Christmas message to a Defender of Ukraine. Yes, we ship the cards early in order for them to arrive at the front lines by December!
Over 200 attended the Opening Reception on August 28th that featured Odesa Ukrainian Dancers (Oshawa), guest speakers, including mother and daughter Nana and Mia who shared their story of transition from their Odesa home to eventually arrive safe to shelter in Canada. A long, complex and arduous journey with just one suitcase. And a set of keys. Visitors were able to see some of their treasured possessions from home in the exhibition.
We also heard from several dignitaries, all of whom celebrated the unique collaborative spirit of the exhibition – history, art, community, heart. Every speaker highlighted Canada’s strong commitment to stand with Ukraine.
Funds raised through the exhibition for the Canada-Ukraine Foundation Humanitarian Aid program.
Top row: Odesa Ukrainian Dancers; Mia & Oleh Nikolenko: Consul-General of Ukraine to Canada in Toronto; 231 guests. 2nd row: Nana; Tridents & Tanks poster; Mia with pictures for Colonel Andrii Shmilyk: Military Attaché, Armed Forces of Ukraine to take back to Ukraine’s Defenders. 3rd row: Rhonda Kirkland, MP Oshawa; Jennifer K. French, MPP Oshawa; Robert Chapman, Deputy Mayor Oshawa; Ruslan Kurt, installation artist. Bottom row: Al Duffy, President of Canadian Tank Museum Board; postcard-writers.
Ukraine needs our support in many ways. Medical supplies, including prosthetics. Humanitarian aid, particularly for children, including those taken by Russia. Weapons. Psychological support such as postcard messages to Defenders of Ukraine who need to know, every day, that they are not forgotten.
Thank you for your support!
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Postcards to the Front (Canada / Канада) 
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