Ukrainians who started a new life in Tartu put their emotions into a joint work of art
On Sunday, July 21, a joint work of art created by Ukrainians who have made Tartu their new place of residence will be presented at Car-Free Avenue. Culture manager Alina Paas, artist Viktoria Berezina, and psychologist Ruslana Romaneskul will introduce the work called "Kaleidoscope of Emotions". The audience will be offered the opportunity to take part in Ukrainian arts and crafts workshops.
Two years ago, more than 5,000 Ukrainians found refuge in Southern Estonia and started a new life here. “The people who came here because of the war had to build new homes and social networks, find new jobs and learn a new language while the war continues in Ukraine,” describes Alina Paas, one of the leaders of the Tartu-based NGO Ukraina Maja.
“News from Ukraine and life in Estonia are constantly in surreal contrast and create emotions that are not easy to understand and manage,” states Paas.
The NGO Ukraina Maja is therefore looking for ways to support Ukrainians in these challenges. In cooperation with the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, the mental health, cultural, and community project Kaleidoscope of Emotions was carried out.
In 2023-2024, a total of 16 group meetings were held for Ukrainians living in Tartu. Ukrainian psychologist Ruslana Romaneskul and other experts offered the participants a safe environment for conversation and various techniques for understanding, expressing, and managing their emotions.
Colorful nets were also woven at all meetings. The color and placement of each strip of fabric woven into the net expresses the emotions – joy, sadness, anger, or hope – that the Ukrainian weaving it felt at that moment.
The communal artwork “Kaleidoscope of Emotions” assembled from nets under the guidance of artist Viktoria Berezina thus expresses the spectrum of emotions that Ukrainians living in Estonia experience every day.
The jointly created work of art can be viewed at Car-Free Avenue from July 19 to July 28.
The public presentation will take place there on Sunday, July 21 at 12:00. At the event, the organisers of Kaleidoscope of Emotions will talk about the work of art. Ukrainians living in Tartu will share their experiences of maintaining their mental health during the ongoing war. The audience can take part in free workshops: making motanka dolls under the guidance of Anna Sumõk, and making of collages with Viktoria Berezina.
“Kaleidoscope of Emotions” is part of the main programme of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024.