“Uncomfortable truth of what it means to be free.” Calendar with illustrations from Ukraine’s history created in Kharkiv

UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Apr 25 — Rescue Now, a humanitarian fund from Kharkiv, and Ukrainian artis Vlada Ralko created an exclusive calendar with paintings, made by her and children affected by the Russia-Ukraine war.

The fund will direct all money for the work of “Litokryl” in Kharkiv, a space where mental support is provided to more than 3,400 children to help them overcome war traumas. The space is currently in danger of being shut down.

The calendar contains key details connected with the history of Ukrainian people fighting for their freedom. Vlada Ralko created the symbolic cover named “Volia” that can be translated to both “will” and “freedom” to English.

“Sometimes, it is hard for people, especially foreigners, to see how important the word “freedom” is for Ukrainians. So we gave a form for it. Works of Ukrainian artist Vlada Ralko are imbued with symbolism, emotion, discomfort, and truthfulness. Her painting “Volia” tells the uncomfortable truth of what it means to be free. That’s why we were very happy when Vlada agreed to the collaboration,” said Hanna Karika, the head of the Rescue Now fund.

The paintings of children from “Litokryl” are on the pages for each month of the calendar—in them, artists are describing their histories.

“The loss of a father, living in occupation, apathy, and fear of society are part of the problems that Ukrainian kids faced because of the Russian invasion. Instead of holidays, the important dates in Ukrainian freedom-fighting history are marked next to (not)children’s stories,” said the organizers.

Among these dates are January 1918 (the Battle of Kruty), March 2014 (the beginning of forming Ukrainian volunteer battalions), and June 1941 (the act of restoring the Ukrainian state).

“The collaboration of experience and youth shows that the desire for freedom starts from childhood,” said Vlada Ralko.

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