On the Day of Unity of Ukraine, a unique art project “Altar of Freedom” was launched in the capital, uniting 27 regions across country. The exhibition showcasing icons painted on armor plates from Army bulletproof vests was presented in the main building of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II.
This is reported by Espreso.
The project, initiated in 2023, aims to preserve national spirituality, unite different faiths and show the cultural and historical heritage of Ukraine. Each of the 27 icons symbolizes a separate region: 24 regions, occupied Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as the hero city of Kyiv.
The authors worked on recreating the historical details of each icon in collaboration with clergy.
“Throughout the year, we have been recreating the history of each icon that can be seen on the map of Ukraine, communicating with clergy. We received great assistance and support from His Beatitude Epifaniy and his team, who guided our teams in working with certain icons representing certain regions,” said the author of the idea, Oleksandr Kovalchuk.
The “Altar of Freedom” project emerged amid a full-scale war as a response to the need to rally society around common values. Cooperation with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine indicates the role of religious institutions in consolidating people. The exhibition in the museum dedicated to World War II draws parallels between historical challenges and those of today, reminding us that culture and faith remain the pillars of Ukrainian identity even in the most difficult times.
“The Altar of Freedom” is not only art, but also a manifesto: a nation that preserves its spirituality and memory is capable of defeating any enemy. The use of armor plates as “canvases” becomes a metaphor for transforming war into a path to rebirth.