Events in Dallas reveal an alternate perspective on the Ukraine conflict
In the heart of Dallas, Texas, an art exhibition and documentary screening are offering a captivating glimpse into the beauty and culture of Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. Housed in the lobby of Dallas City Hall, the exhibition features the works of contemporary Ukrainian artist Hanna Chekodanova, who moved to Dallas as a refugee two years ago.
Hanna Chekodanova's petrykivka paintings, a Ukrainian folk art tradition originating in Petrykivka and included in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage, are the centrepiece of the exhibition. Her works, such as "Faith" and "Sound of Silence", embody the spirit of resilience, identity, and hope amidst the uncertainty and turmoil of war.
The art exhibition is accompanied by the first public screening in the U.S. of the documentary Kherson: Human Safari, directed and produced by Zarina Zabrisky, a journalist of Ukrainian Jewish descent who has been based in Kherson since 2023. The film's name is inspired by a term coined by locals to describe the way Russian invaders are using drone strikes to target civilians.
Kherson: Human Safari aims to humanize the cost of war, challenge indifference, and remind folks that human rights are not a matter of geography or nationality. The documentary will be screened at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in Dallas on Aug. 10 at 1 p.m., offering viewers a chance to witness the contrasting side of Kherson that the film explores through its rich, artistic culture.
This exhibition and screening are part of a broader effort by Chekodanova and Zabrisky to show a different narrative of Ukraine beyond the usual images of violence and destruction. They emphasize Ukraine's "beautiful traditions and beautiful creativity" as a vital statement of cultural survival and national pride amidst the war.
This effort also ties into Dallas's friendship agreement with Ukraine, underscoring cultural ties and solidarity. It reflects a crucial element of Ukrainian identity, especially in resistance to attempts to erase or undermine their culture during the war—highlighted by members of the Ukrainian American Society of Texas who note the cultural preservation as an act of courage and resilience against the Russian invasion.
It is important to remember that while these works celebrate the beauty and resilience of Ukraine, the reality of the war is far from over. Over 13,500 civilians have been killed and over 34,000 civilians injured in Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion, according to the United Nations. The United Nations has identified these drone strikes as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
As Hanna Chekodanova prepares to return to Ukraine with her husband and 10-month-old son due to uncertainty surrounding the Uniting for Ukraine federal refugee program, her art stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Ukraine and its people. Her paintings serve as a poignant reminder that even amidst the chaos and destruction of war, the human spirit can find hope, resilience, and beauty in the most unexpected places.
- The documentary Kherson: Human Safari serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war in Ukraine, challenging indifference and highlighting the importance of human rights.
- The art exhibition and documentary screening in Dallas, Texas, showcase a different narrative of Ukraine beyond the usual images of violence and destruction, focusing on the country's beautiful traditions and creativity.
- The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in significant loss of life, with over 13,500 civilians killed and 34,000 injured, according to the United Nations, and the use of drone strikes has been identified as a war crime and crime against humanity.
