Among the distinguished guests were President of the M. Kazana Foundation Mrs. Barbara Kazana, representatives of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Warsaw. The official part of the opening ceremony of the exhibition was summed up by a beautiful and touching mini recital of Ukrainian artists Olha Pylypiv and Diana Kozaczok on bandura and guitar. The war interrupted their music studies in Ukraine, forced to flee to Poland, where they found help and the possibility of continuing their studies and artistic expression.

The series of graphics "Profanum" shows devastated objects, shared by the expression of destructive emotions. The lack of light, colour and the predominance of black create an image of the anti-war message. In her work, the author is inspired by the images of old, dilapidated architecture. In the face of the recent events related to the war in Ukraine, the ruins have become a symbol of destructive human activities.

In his remarks, Public and Cultural Diplomacy Department Director Mr. Rafał Wolski referred to Poland's reaction to the evil done to the Ukrainian nation, saying: “I am proud that Poland and Poles welcomed Ukrainians fleeing the war so warmly that they opened their doors to them, but also their hearts. Through events such as today's, we want to give Ukrainian artists in Poland an opportunity to show the world that Ukraine is alive and that its nation has its own unique voice and identity."

When asked to share his comments, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Ukrainian Embassy in Warsaw Oleh Kuts, thanked Poland for its unquestionable leadership in providing assistance to Ukraine and expressed the conviction that the war would end soon with a victory for Ukraine.

The Mariusz Kazana Foundation was established on September 29, 2010 after Mariusz Kazana's tragic death in the presidential plane crash near Smolensk (April 10, 2010). Mariusz Kazana was the Director of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a diplomat and art lover, the author of many projects promoting Polish culture and art. the widow, her daughter and a group of friends took the initiative to create a Foundation named after him. The Foundation upholds the memory of Mariusz Kazana, continuing projects that he did not manage to implement. The mission of the Foundation is to build a positive image of Poland by popularizing culture and art in the country and abroad and strengthening international artistic exchange. Artistic projects have been jointly undertaken with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others in China, Belgium, Lebanon, Ireland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Serbia, the United States and Cyprus.

 

Łukasz Jasina

MFA Press Spokesperson

 

Photo: Bartosz Peterman / MFA