Art against Artillery in Lviv

The event was hosted by Zenyk Art Gallery, which opened not only its exhibition space but also the exhibition “The Sea,” featuring rescued masterpieces by Aivazovsky, Kuindzhi, Kostandi, and other artists. Surrounded by deep shades of blue, the discussion unfolded within a powerful visual context that reinforced the conversation on the role of art in wartime — as spiritual support, testimony, and a means of preserving meaning.

The Lviv event marked the final stage of a broader international project implemented over four months. During this period, the book was translated and published in German, and four public discussions were held within less than four weeks — in Vienna, Graz, at Buch Wien, and in Lviv. The project demonstrated strong interest from both European and Ukrainian audiences and highlighted art as an essential component of cultural resistance and continuity.

The Lviv discussion featured contributors and speakers Oleksandr Knyha, Andrii Kotliarchuk, Iryna Zhyhulina, and Diana Popfalushi, who shared professional insights and personal reflections on working with art under wartime conditions. The active engagement of the audience and feedback such as “I didn’t want this discussion to end” underscored the event’s strong emotional and intellectual impact.

About the author.
Olha Volynska is a Ukrainian writer and journalist focusing on culture, art, and societal change in the context of war. Her work documents contemporary cultural processes and amplifies the voices of artists who continue to create despite violence and destruction.

About the book.
“Art against Artillery: Ukrainian Artists at War” brings together in-depth interviews with Ukrainian artists and cultural practitioners. The book explores art as a form of cultural resistance, a means of preserving identity, and a space for processing wartime trauma. Published in German by Klingenberg Verlag, the book contributes significantly to international cultural dialogue on Ukraine.