On February 19, 2024, the Council of Europe hosted the opening of the exhibition "Dawn, Children of Ukraine" by Yuriy Bilak, dedicated to Ukrainian children, with the participation of the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe - Bjorn Berge, Permanent Representatives of Ukraine, Liechtenstein and France.
The creator of this exhibition, Yuriy Bilak, was born in Villeurbanne, France, and inherited the value of Ukrainian culture from his Ukrainian parents. He decided to travel to Ukraine to create this new project about childhood in a war zone after the Russian army withdrew from northern Ukraine at the end of March 2022, leaving behind a sea of devastation where every Ukrainian soul felt the ruthless hand of the enemy: in Bucha, Irpin, Gostomel, Borodyanka, and Chernihiv.
The exhibition "Dawn, Children of Ukraine" contains 23 photographs of Ukrainian children who were forced to survive the war. With these photographs, the artist was able to convey in an incredible way how Russia's terrible attack on Ukraine interrupted the childhood of Ukrainian children who were supposed to live in safety, surrounded by parental care and love.
The artist dedicated the exhibition to the Ukrainian children whose childhood was stolen from them and who were forced to wake up one day at dawn as adults. Undoubtedly, these photographs are dedicated to people who live and, unfortunately, get used to war.
"Dawn" is a symbol of hope, but at the same time of uncertainty and fear, which constantly accompany every Ukrainian child. We don't know if a new day will come tomorrow, if a new dawn will break, if the future that is so deeply rooted in the soul of our country will be preserved.
This exhibition is more than just art. It is a call to action, to unite, to protect every child's laugh, every dreamy look. It is a cry of the soul that calls on the world to come to the rescue and stop this tragedy that is happening before our eyes.
Photos from the exhibition "Dawn - Children of Ukraine" can be found here:
Youry Bilak (photodeck.com)