Children's drawing competition "Flowers of War"

I love giving gifts!The Volodymyr Chornyi Foundation, together with the Department of Education of the Kropyvnytskyi City Council, is awarding prizes to children for the best drawings — for their sincere and honest vision of what is happening around them. The exhibition opened at the local Regional Museum of Local Lore.

“Of course, it would be better if this exhibition didn’t exist — if we didn’t know what war is, and if everything were fine.”These are the words of Sofiia Pushkariova, one of the winners of the “Flowers of War” event.

But the exhibition took place — because this is our reality. So many personal stories were drawn, so many teenage thoughts about war were spoken out loud.Just imagine… what our children are drawing.

And yet, the exhibition radiated strength. It was filled with pride — for our soldiers, for a country that does not give up, for the children in whose large eyes, like mirrors, our terrifying reality is reflected.

And there was so much truth…One young girl, who also shared her vision through art for the competition, looked at me seriously and said: “I’m proud of you! We will avenge your husband!”And I believe her…

There was also an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to everyone who made this exhibition possible.

Thank you to Andrii Raikovych, Head of the Kirovohrad Regional State Administration, for your patriotic speech and for honoring the fallen warrior.

To the Department of Education of the Kropyvnytskyi City Council, thank you for your full support and heartfelt care — special thanks to Olha Zhuravlova.

To the Central Ukrainian Regional Museum of Local Lore and Borys Shevchenko — thank you for your openness and warm hospitality.

To Ukrainian Women’s Watch — thank you for the sweets, the treats, and the lovely gift.

To Oksana Yakunina, dear Oksana — thank you for being a strong backbone and for your constant, well-rounded support.

And thank you to all the children, teens, and their parents — for bearing with my long-winded “uhhh…” and “weeeell…” moments on stage!