The idea to create a Ukrainian mural emerged within a community of active Ukrainians in the spring of 2022, approximately two months after Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine began, when millions of women and children were trying to flee the war and found refuge abroad, including in Slovenia.
Slovenia provided assistance to every woman and every child who came here. We wanted to create and present this mural to Slovenia as a token of our deep gratitude to this beautiful country and the kind people who live here.
There are several compelling reasons why we chose Maribor. Maribor is a beautiful city with a unique charm and great tourism potential. It is rich in cultural heritage, a warm and welcoming population, and a vibrant atmosphere. It is a city that inspires art and creativity.
The mural depicts a young, confident girl who embodies Ukraine. She is dressed in a traditional Ukrainian blouse and wears a wreath of fresh flowers on her head. These symbolic colors remind us of Ukraine’s rich culture and history.
In her hands, the girl holds a bouquet of poppies that resembles the outline of Ukraine. Poppies are used as a symbol of remembrance for all those who died in wars. This image symbolizes devotion and love for one’s country and respect for those who gave their lives for it.
Overall, this work of art is an expression of national pride and a tribute to Ukraine’s history. It conveys the message that the younger generation has not forgotten its roots and is ready to fight for its rights and freedom, even if it is currently far from its homeland.
This mural serves as a symbol of hope and resilience in these difficult times. It reminds us of the importance of working together, regardless of our background and nationality, to overcome the challenges we all face today. This mural is a testament to art’s ability to convey ideas of unity and shared human values.
We are very pleased to participate in this international project organized by the Maribor City Hall administration and Mayor Saša Arsenovič. With deep gratitude and respect, we represent our country, which shares its message with the Slovenian people through this art installation.
It took the joint efforts of many people to make this project a reality. We express our sincere thanks and gratitude to the Ukrainian community in Slovenia, to the Ambassador of Ukraine to Slovenia, Andriy Taran, to diplomat Bohdan Toroptsov, and to diplomat Natalia Markevych. We are infinitely grateful to people from all corners of the world whose generous donations made this unique mural a reality.
The author of this work of art is muralist Konstantin
Kachanovsky. “We wanted to create and present something as a sign of our deep gratitude to this country and its kind people. In addition, Maribor is a sister city of Kharkiv in Ukraine, and we saw this as an opportunity to build a bridge between the two nations,” says Konstantin Kachanovsky.
