On November 30, the ‘War Up Close’ team held a two-day exhibition dedicated to the war in Ukraine at the ThinkSpace venue of the University of Sydney.
The founders, Yulia Matiash and Oleksiy Syvak, presented the project along with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Miroshnychenko.
We were impressed by the curiosity of the visitors and shared not only the general situation in Ukraine but also explained why there is a tractor pulling a tank on postcards (“Good evening, we are from Ukraine!”) and why a Ukrainian soldier shows a middle finger to a warship. We also discussed unconventional methods, such as using a cucumber jar to bring down a drone, why Russian occupiers should carry sunflower seeds in their pockets, and how, after Chornobyl, we learned to count by bending our toes. In this unique way, we convey the story of Ukraine’s struggle against Russian invaders.
“When we think about the future, we primarily think about the youth who will create and develop that future. Therefore, we held another “War Up Close” exhibition at the University of Sydney in Australia. We talked to students about the fact that, unlike them, Ukrainians learn not from textbooks but on the battlefield, in every home where an enemy drone, rocket, or shell lands. We came to the common conclusion that everything written in books and taught in universities about democracy and international law will make no sense if Ukraine loses. Therefore, our only goal is a joint victory,” – commented Oleksiy Syvak.
On the first day, visitors to the exhibition included guests not only from Australia but also from Japan, China, and New Zealand.
We thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia, the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations, and the National Museum of Ukrainian History for providing exhibits.
In Sydney, we conclude our Australian tour. Earlier, the “War Up Close” team presented the project at the National University of Canberra and the Parliament House of Australia.
