The Russian full scale invasion to Ukraine has changed the life of the whole country. We are fighting, we are working to be able to help, we are saving our children. Millions have left their houses and lost their homes, thousands have lost their lives. We all are trying to find the ways and opportunities to tell about Ukraine, to support our country and people. 

We appreciate the support we receive from the foreign countries, both from their citizens and governments. The war in Ukraine is not only for the territory, it is a war for cultural heritage, for historical memory, which Russia is trying to steal. We are fighting for the values, that we share with the western world. 

We are 2 Ukrainian organisations: Peli can live, charity involved in the nature conservation projects and Rotary Club Kyiv Capital (member of Rotary International), which recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its service in Kyiv, have decided to bring the conceptual Art Project to the UK as we believe it will help us in our mission here. Icons are painted on the Ammunition boxes by Ukrainian Artists Sofiia Atlantova and Oleksandr Klimenko - the couple that support the mobile hospitals in Ukraine working on a front line since 2014 through this project.

These icons represent light in darkness. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams said that “icons remind you that actual art, at its deepest, especially religious art, it’s not just decorative, there is an element of epiphany, a transformative realisation” behind them. So by looking attentively, contemplating and absorbing the images in these icons, one may find the divine spark which is at work somewhere in the artist’s creative purpose. These icons may open a door to God – reminding us of His vision – that we can build places of safety and peace.

Fundraising.

The exhibition’s revenues will go to British-Ukrainian Aid, to purchase a   ambulance/s and medical supplies to support the work on the frontline of a new mobile hospital “Apostol Luka”. 

A new ambulance will cost between £30,000- £50,000 depending on what medical equipment it is furnished with. The fund-raising target is therefore £50,000.

The funds will go through the British Ukraine Aid Foundation, volunteer organisation that already provides medical equipment and medical kits to our defenders and civilians since 2014 and has great experience of doing this. We believe that it is the best possible option for us. 

We are thankful to The Revd Canon Dr Charlotte Bannister-Parker, thanks to whose enthusiasm and inspiration we were able to start and move in this journey in the UK. We are thankful to her charity "Hope for Creation" that brings the nature and faith together.

We are grateful to the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford for hosting and supporting the first Icons on Ammo boxes exhibition in the UK. You are very welcome to visit it until 12th of February 2023. And we are grateful to St. John's Notting Hill for becoming the host and co-organizator of exhibition in London. The exhibition dates are 21st of February - 4th of June, 2023, where you can also buy the icon to support our fundraising campaign.