Ukrainian Community in Philadelphia Unveils 30-Meter Painting Reflecting War and Hope

The project brought together professional artists, wounded Ukrainian soldiers receiving prosthetics and medical treatment in the United States, students of the Ukrainian School of Philadelphia, and members of the local Ukrainian community. During the opening, those gathered for the liturgy were also invited to contribute, leaving their own marks and signatures on the canvas.

The painting was created by three Ukrainian artists: Tetyana Myalkovska, a mother who lost her son, soldier Mykola Myalkivsky, in the war against Russia; Tetiana Rusetska; and Iryna Semenenko. Through this collaborative work, participants expressed their experiences of war, trauma, and loss, while also seeking healing and hope.

“This project was created by three artists from Ukraine. Through this project people share their experiences of the war—their wounds, their pain, their trauma—asking for healing, for hope, for the victory of life over death, good over evil,” Metropolitan Gudziak said. “It is through art that we can understand what happens in our human life, and this project expresses both the devastation and despair, but also the great hope and resilience of the people of Ukraine.”
 

Among the distinguished guests was Khrystyna Hayovyshyn, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, who noted: “I am pleased to join the opening of this artistic project. Our strength also lies in our identity, our culture, and our unity.”

Ukrainian honorary consul in Philadelphia Iryna Mazur emphasized the importance of the initiative for sharing Ukraine’s story internationally: “There are images here that represent a modern Ukraine that lives, that suffers, but stands strong. I had the honor to witness the process and even contribute. You are all ambassadors of Ukraine, called to share its message.”

Project leader Tetyana Myalkovska offered a powerful interpretation of the work:
“Ukraine cries out through sirens, air raid alarms, the sound of cars carrying the fallen, and the wailing of a mother at a graveside. These sounds come together into a song—passed from mouth to mouth, from generation to generation.

That is why our painting is titled *‘The Song of Songs of the Ukrainian People.’* It tells the story of the Christian year, but also of our own time—our suffering and our grief. It is, ultimately, a cry for help.”

She added that the painting bears a deeply personal dimension: “It is particularly meaningful for me to share the image of my son who gave his life defending Ukraine. He is depicted near the crucified Christ, representing all those who sacrificed their lives for freedom, for democracy, for human dignity.”

The artwork also reflects the suffering of Ukraine’s children. “In these representations you will see many children. Like the Child Jesus, who had to flee violence and the threat of death, so many Ukrainian children have been abducted, millions forced to leave their homes, and many more internally displaced,” she explained.

A wounded Ukrainian soldier, Vladyslav, who participated in the project, was present at the unveiling. Participants expressed gratitude to him and, through him, to all those who have sacrificed their health in defense of Ukraine.

In addition to its symbolic and artistic significance, the event had a charitable dimension. The artists collected funds to support an art-therapy initiative for displaced children in Ukraine, as well as the “Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine” fund established by the Ukrainian Catholic bishops in the United States.