The event "Portrait of Love for Planet Earth" took place on November 22, 2023, in Amstelveen, at the Griffoen Social Center.
This unique performance brought together displaced persons from Ukraine for an artistic collaboration led by Belgian-Ukrainian artist O. Rabicheva, with organizational support from the Dutch-Ukrainian Cultural Center Kastanje. During the event, participants co-created a joint painting—a "Portrait of Love for Planet Earth"—serving as both expressive therapy and a visual homage to resilience and unity. Guests engaged with the artist and each other in the welcoming setting of Griffoen, reflecting shared stories through art and performance.
The program featured the live painting process, an inclusive creative session, and a presentation of the project’s goals. The initiative highlighted the transformative power of art to foster connection and well-being among those affected by displacement. Kastanje played a vital role in facilitating community outreach and organization of the event, bridging Dutch and Ukrainian networks.
Over the course of the evening, participants contributed their visions and feelings to the collaborative artwork, resulting in a dynamic exchange of experience and cultural memory. The evolving painting and interactions shaped new perspectives, lasting emotional connections, and collective memories for all involved.
Attendees were able to enjoy the immersive act of joint creation, support a cause dedicated to displaced persons, and witness innovation in participatory art. The project offered a heartfelt tribute to hope and human dignity, a symbol of resilience, and a celebration of cross-cultural unity through creative expression.
