The event "Panel Discussion: Ukrainian Art in Times of War" took place on 4 October 2024 in The Hague at ART The Hague, within the broader presence of Block A Gallery at the fair.
This event brought together leading Ukrainian voices—curator Mariana Dzhulai (of Stichting Kastanje and Block A Gallery), photographer Hanna Hrabarska, and community artist Alina Bielun—moderated by Oksana Savchuk. The discussion explored how art serves as a tool for documenting and processing the traumatic realities of war, migration, and transformation. Mariana Dzhulai—speaking also as a representative of Kastanje stichting—shed light on the war’s impact on contemporary Ukrainian art and its growing international resonance. Hanna Hrabarska recounted her journey through war-driven emigration, while Alina Bielun shared her progression from conceptual art to community practice, offering deeply personal perspectives.
Over the course of the conversation, attendees engaged with the artists’ stories, reflecting on evolving notions of "home," the resilience required to adapt, and the communal role of art in supporting identity and well-being during crisis. The inclusive dialogue inspired rich new perspectives and lasting memories among participants, strengthening cultural solidarity.
Attendees were able to experience the creativity and resilience at the heart of today’s Ukrainian art—supporting artists and witnessing innovative expression as a heartfelt tribute to cultural roots, a demonstration of collective strength, and a celebration of cross-cultural unity at a vital moment in Ukraine’s history.
