Ukraine House in Denmark Together with Mystetskyi Arsenal Open 'Heart of Earth' Exhibition in Copenhagen: A Reflection on Ukraine's Role in Global (Food) Security

Overview: ‘Heart of Earth’ was initially conceived by a flagship Ukrainian cultural institution Mystetskyi Arsenal in response to the devastating impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Through their evocative works, the artists explored themes of colonial exploitation, the weaponization of food, and environmental damage caused by war. The exhibition aimed to highlight Ukraine's crucial role in global food security, a topic that has become increasingly relevant amidst russian attacks on grain export infrastructure, the destruction of dams, and the escalating ecological crisis.

Copenhagen Edition: Due to its growing importance and resonance, the exhibition has been updated for its Copenhagen debut. The opening event promises to be a memorable cultural experience, featuring a screening of the classic Ukrainian film ‘The Earth’ by Oleksandr Dovzhenko. This will be accompanied by a live music performance.

"While planning the exhibition “Heart of Earth” in 2022, we focused on that particular moment in history when a huge war brings devastation to the Earth and deprives people of food in places very distant from the battlefield. The triangle of relationships: the earth, the people who cherish it, and the food that is born from the interaction between them was one of our main metaphors. With the beginning of the full-scale war, Ukrainian terrains, unknown to many, have acquired a detailed expression due to the resistance of their people. Now, in 2024, as a cultural institution, we are proud to show our exhibition in Denmark, a great diplomatic partner of Ukraine. At the same time, after we opened “Heart of Earth,” Ukrainian land suffered another horrible ecological catastrophe inflicted by Russia, the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP. There will be some artworks reflecting on that in the Danish edition of the exhibit. Every day of the war means losses not only for Ukrainian ecology but also for the whole world. We need to look for ways to preserve nature and the earth and talk about it," comments Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta, Director General of Mystetskyi Arsenal and co-curator of the exhibition.

"Russo-Ukrainian war of 2014 and its full-scale invasion phase that started in 2022 has coincided with the profound cultural transformation of Ukrainian society. A nation that survived 

the 1932-1933 Holodomor - one of several Soviet man induced famines, a killing by hunger that took away the lives of over 4 mln Ukrainians, has not only started to recognize the trauma that it endured but also formed the ambition to ensure that such crimes as famines never happen anywhere again, that food should never be weaponized. Unfortunately, in 2022 as the Russian army started not only killing the Ukrainian people but also stealing and burning the Ukrainian grain, the world saw how an evil regime can easily blackmail millions of people in Africa with hunger in the 21st century. Ukrainians as well as others realized the crucial role that Ukraine plays in world food security as well as in protecting the foundations of international law that govern how we can protect the planet from further destruction. The exhibition Heart of Earth which we have the honor to internationalize and premier in Denmark together with Mystetskyi Arsenal informs about the future of humankind that is being decided today on the Ukrainian battlefield. Every visitor will have a chance to make a better informed decision about the personal role each of us play in protecting our homelands and the world from the looming catastrophes," says Nataliia Popovych, chairperson of Ukraine House in Denmark. 

Parallel Programme: In conjunction with the exhibition, a series of panel discussions will be held, bringing together Danish, Ukrainian, and international experts. These sessions will focus on sustainable rebuilding efforts and postwar economic models for Ukraine, providing a platform for scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders to share insights and strategies.

Artists: Kateryna Aliinyk, Katya Buchatska, Oleksandr Burlaka, Andrii Dostliev & Lia Dostlieva, Ksenia Hnylytska, Nikita Kadan, Zhanna Kadyrova, Alevtina Kakhidze, Kateryna Lysovenko, Daryna Mamaisur, Elias Parvulesco, Viktoriia Rozentsveih, Anton Saienko, Olena Turianska, Bohdana Voitenko, Anna Zvyagintseva.

Curators: Natasha Chychasova, Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta, Anna Pohribna, Olga Zhuk.

Opening of the exhibition: Friday, August 23, 2024

15:30 Ukraine House in Denmark, Strandgade 27B

Opening with welcoming words from the Danish and Ukrainian officials, exhibition curators, and Ukraine House team.

A walk through the exhibition.

Ukrainian snacks and drinks. 

17:00 Vor Frelsers Kirke, Sankt Annæ Gade 29

Screening of the Ukrainian classic silent film “The Earth” by Olexandr Dovzhenko accompanied by live musical performance by Pyrih i Batih

The exhibition is open from August 23 to November 24, 2024.

Ukraine House in Denmark, Gammel Dok, Strandgade 27B, 1401, Copenhagen

Tuesday to Friday 16:00-19:00

Saturday, Sunday 12:00-18:00

Monday closed

The project is implemented by Ukraine House in Denmark and Mystetskyi Arsenal with support of IZOLYATSIA foundation, Trans Europe Halles and Malý Berlín and co-financed by the ZMINA: Rebuilding program, created with the support of the European Union under a dedicated call for proposals to support Ukrainian displaced people and the Ukrainian Cultural and Creative Sectors.

With the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Denmark, Politiken-Fonden, Dovzhenko Centre.

Ukraine House in Denmark is a cultural diplomacy institution with a mission to deepen Ukrainian-Danish cooperation in the field of culture and creative industries for sustainable peace in Europe. Based in Gammel Dok, Copenhagen, since February 2023, an international volunteer team held 5 exhibitions of Ukrainian contemporary art, architecture, design, and photography, organized more than 70 panel discussions involving 100+ Ukrainian and Danish parliamentarians, journalists, artists, architects and other opinion leaders, integrated Ukrainian content into leading Danish cultural platforms, such as the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Copenhagen Architecture Festival, Kulturnatten, 3daysofdesign, Copenhagen Photo Festival, etc. Since July 2023, the Ukraine House has become an associate member of the Association of Cultural Institutes of EU countries.

Mystetskyi Arsenal is Ukraine’s flagship cultural institution that brings together various arts – from contemporary art, new music and theater to literature and museum development. The mission of Mystetskyi Arsenal is to contribute to modernization of Ukrainian society and Ukraine’s integration into the global context based on the axiological potential of culture. Being an annual project of Mystetskyi Arsenal, the International Book Arsenal Festival is an intellectual event in Ukraine, where the book, literary, visual, musical, and theatrical scenes develop and interact.

For press inquiries please contact:
press@artarsenal.gov.ua; info@ukrainehouse.dk; stanko@artarsenal.gov.ua