Award ceremony of the contest “Peace and war through the eyes of Donbas children” was held in Kiev

12:47 / 16 Sep. 2015 / 2023

On September 15, in Children and Youth Creativity House in Solomenskiy district, Kiev, Award ceremony of the contest “Peace and war through the eyes of Donbas children” was held. The competition was organized by the community initiative “Restoring Donbas”.

During the opening of award ceremony, Elena Petryayeva – the head of the initiative, noted:” Children are the most fragile category of the people». They saw terrible things, which tale place in Donbas It was reflected in their pictures, which were sent to our contest. We hope that all the parties of the conflict will look through these drawings and take thought about the real price of the war”.

The contest extended from 9 to 25 of May 2015. More than 300 drawings were sent to the initiative by Donbas children (both, who are living in ATO area and IDP’s children). The winners were defined in 3 aged groups (5-8 y.o., 9-12 y.o., 13-16 y.o.) and “Audience Award” (according to the number of «like» on the official page in «V Kontakte»). Donetsk community organization «Maximal» will grant the prizes to children from uncontrolled regions.

Andriy Romaniy – a member of the jury, director, People’s Artist of Ukraine, noted: «”Children’s paintings etched in my memory. When a child is drawing a war and peace, he/she usually draws a stray dog or a soldier, who is planting flowers. How much words would it to describe such a thing? Let’s hear our children and we will succeed”»

During the awarding, Alexey Krupoder – the volunteer of the initiative “Restoring Donbas” –  presented a collection participant’s pictures with their letters, comments of social network users, the explanation of the psychologist.

“Our collection was made in two languages – Ukrainian and English. Nowadays, we will send it to different parts of the globe, namely, to Ukrainian state authorities, embassies and Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Ukrainian partner countries, representatives of international organizations. After all, children – are little diplomats and the best ambassadors of the world”- he said.

At the moment, the collection is available for online preview and for download.

«Return peace to me» –  is a collection of pictures and stories by Donbas children.

According to the results of the contest, Galina Demchenko – the head of children’s health center “Emerald City” in Sviatohirsk (Donetsk region) – received certificate for material assistance to institution from the heads of the head of the initiative. During the hostilities, this center sheltered plethora children from uncontrolled territories of Donbas. It has sent the greatest number of the drawings.

“When we came in Kiev, it feels like another dimension. It is really frightening there (in Donbas).  We strongly believe that the peace will come soon, peace, and everyone will be happy, “- said Galina Demchenko.

With the help of forces of Children and Youth Creativity House in Solomenskiy district, Kiev, there was organized a concert called “Kiev children for Donbas children”.

More than a dozens of song and dance ensembles Ukraine’s capital took part in the concert.

In addition, in the hall there was an exhibition of drawings, which took part in the competition.

Audience paid special attention to the booth with drawings-winners. We hope that we were able to present these children a feeling of celebration. When the peace will come, we will invite children from Kiev, Zaporozhye, Lviv and other Ukrainian cities to Donetsk region.  Our meeting will be full of Ukrainian songs and fiery dances”, – Elena Petryayeva – the head of the initiative «Restoring Donbas» – summed up.

The children’s drawings were evaluated by a jury consisting of both the representatives of the community initiative “Restoring Donbas”, and invited guests.  Among them there were Andriy Romaniy –  People’s Artist of Ukraine, the director; Natalia Bartkiv – an artist, a member of the Union of Artists of Lviv; Natalia Kuznetsova – Сhild and Adolescent psychiatrist of the Rehabilitation center for children with organic lesions of the nervous system of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Head of the jury was Oleksandr Kashchenko – the dean of the architectural faculty of Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, PhD, Professor, Head of the department of drawing and painting.

The restoring-donbass.com website - is an interactive platform, which was created by the "Restoring Donbas" community initiative of Oleksandr Klymenko. The latest news, blogs and analysis, background information and useful ads for IDPs and Donbas residents are available on the website.