A photography exhibition “War Notes. Ukraine” has been opened in the exhibition hall of Pedvāle International Artists’ Residency. Its authors are Ukrainian cameraman Maksims Peņko and the Latvian Television journalist Ina Strazdiņa. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, both journalists have been reporting from the front lines as well as from cities and villages torn apart by war. In the work process, photographs have been created that document both the war crimes, destruction and suffering committed by Russia, and the strength and unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people. The 40 images show scenes from Kryvyi Rih after the shelling, the tragedy of the village of Khroza, Ukrainian people who have lost loved ones, soldiers and scenes of the battlefield, and Maidan Square in Kiev in the hopes of Independence Day.
“To remember, to commemorate and never forget, that is our task and the task of these photographs,” said Ina Strazdiņa, when opening the exhibition, and added that the exhibition, which takes place during the Barricade commemoration time, symbolically also resonates with Latvia’s desire for freedom and the ability to stand up to darkness and the enemy. In turn, Maksims Peņko, who participated in the event remotely online from Odessa, indicated that he wants as many people as possible to see what the “Russian world” is. “This is not peace, but war, this is not brotherhood, but aggression, this is not development, but destruction. Each photograph is the voice of those who cannot speak for themselves. This is a cry for help, a call to action. And we, as witnesses of this tragedy, have a duty to convey the truth to the whole world. May these images serve as a reminder to future generations that war is an evil that must be stopped. After all, if we forget about the past, it will be repeated,” said M. Peņko. “The authors of the exhibition, with their photographs, give us testimony to the horrors of war in the land of Ukraine and help us see the true face of the manipulative monster. We must all be responsible and continue to support Ukraine in its heroic struggle until victory,” said the creator of the exhibition and the host of Pedvāle Art Park, Ojārs Feldbergs.
The opening of the photo exhibition at Pedvāle Exhibition Hall was attended by Dace Melbārde, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Nataliia Bereza, First Secretary of the Embassy of Ukrain, Signe Grūbe, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Latvian journalists, friends and interested parties.
The photo exhibition “War Notes. Ukraine” will be on display at the Pedvāle International Artists’ Residency until 30 March 2025.