Flowers Against War exhibition by Ukrainian journalist and artist opened in Pristina

A painting exhibition, Flowers Against War, by Ukrainian journalist and artist Liudmyla Makei has been opened in the capital of Kosovo, Pristina. The event was organized by the Kosova Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRTC), especially for World Refugee Day, celebrated on June 20. Kosovo Museum kindly provided the space of the Lapidarium gallery for the art event.

“Unfortunately, the opening of my exhibition takes place under tragic conditions,” says Liudmyla Makei, a participant in the Journalists-in-Residence Kosovo Programme. “When the full-scale Russian invasion began, my world lost its colors, and I stopped painting. But in Pristina, I met the director of KRTC, Feride Rushiti. She became an example of how to live with a wounded soul. I started creating again. Pristina inspired me to create the series Flowers Against War. This is my ideal universe where there is no war or pain. It symbolizes Ukraine’s revival after the bloody war.”

Many guests attended the exhibition’s opening, including representatives of foreign countries, members of the Assembly of Kosovo, journalists, and public figures. KRTC director Feride Rushiti and head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kosovo, Arjun Shrestha, emphasized the importance of supporting refugees wherever they are. Afghan journalist Amina Omid spoke about the situation of Afghan refugees in neighboring countries and the tragedy of people who ended up in the hands of the Taliban.

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani expressed respect for Ukraine and refugees worldwide with her presence. She noted that Kosovans remember very well the war of 1998-99 when more than a million citizens tried to leave the country. The President got acquainted with the paintings of the Ukrainian artist and chose for herself the one depicting yellow and blue flowers. She noted that these colors are common to the flags of Ukraine and Kosovo.

The author of the paintings explained that her goal was not only to present Ukrainian culture to the Kosovars. She organized the sale of paintings in support of her colleagues who were in Russian exile. She will transfer the proceeds to the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU). The exhibition will last until June 26.

NUJU Information Service