AN art installation created by a Ukrainian refugee has been on display at a prominent Cumbrian art gallery.
Theatre director Veronika Zolotoverkha came to the UK in April last year with just £100 in her native currency, fleeing her home country of Ukraine due to ongoing destruction at the hands of Russian troops.
She was one of a group of theatre directors at a venue in Luhansk - until bombs reduced the once beautiful structure to a shell.
Her artistic spirit is persevering, however, after receiving some council support to create a piece in the Tullie House Gardens, Carlisle.
The piece is a sculpture that Veronika said encapsulates the Ukrainian spirit, with prominent feature of the white stork, or Bird of Happiness, a symbol of hope for Ukrainian people.
Called ‘Voice’, the piece aptly shows quotes from Ukrainians, anonymously speaking about their fear, insecurities, and stress amid the turmoil of war.
Assisted by Chris Jones, who works at the Buccleuth Theatre in Langholm, where Veronika lives with a host couple, she said of the piece: “This project will grow, it will change location as well.
“The main symbol of this piece is the Bird of Happiness, a Ukrainian traditional amulet.
“We believe it can bring good fortune to you.
“The project is named Voice because our country has many people, faces, and voices, but now we’re talking about Ukraine all the time and we think all the time about it.
“I will invite people to collaborate with this project.
“Next time I hope to have a portrait of refugees in this country, and it will give Ukrainians an opportunity to voice words they would not normally say in public... what you’re feeling.
“I want to take people’s portraits and have their quotes alongside.”
These will be presented together with the birds, staying with the project throughout, persevering.
Voice was shown over the weekend, but Veronika and Chris said the council is keen to move it to another venue soon, although nothing is set in stone yet.
Veronika lives in the UK with her mother, but said her brother and father are sadly still in Ukraine, unable to come due to their gender, and also her father’s health, however her mother will go back home later this year.
Veronika’s theatre directing job in Luhansk came to a devastating end upon the building’s destruction, of which she said: “It was very hard because all your life is broken, you worked, you had a dream, you had a plan, you love this place, but now it’s just history, it cannot be rebuilt.”
Adding to the ongoing anxieties, Veronika’s security here is in the air, as she explained: “It’s a fear thinking about what’s going to happen when my visa runs out.”
Her visa allows her to live here for three years, but when that’s over, she may be forced to go back home, which might not be safe.
She added: “I can help here for now, I can talk, and show what’s happening in my country.”
READ MORE: Ukrainian woman a nailed-on success after starting at Cumbrian beauty salon
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