Exhibition of Heroes: Honoring Emergency Service Workers
This exhibition, organized under the joint EU and UNDP program ‘EU4Recovery — Restoring Ukraine’, takes place in the capital. Its aim is to raise awareness about the vital role that emergency service workers play in saving lives and rebuilding communities.
The exhibition titled“Rescue. Support. Protect” is conceived as “a space of light amid the darkness” is envisioned as a symbol of hope and renewal. It is part of a larger communication campaign that shares the stories of individuals who risk their lives for others every day.
Through photographs and personal testimonies, the exhibition showcases the faces behind emergency operations, medical assistance, psychological support, and infrastructure restoration. Each image tells a story of bravery and compassion — of those who act without hesitation even in critical situations.
Focusing on 7 remarkable stories:
- Oleksandr Bohachov — a rescuer from Dnipro, who operates drones to find people under rubble; he helped save lives after the shelling of a building on January 14, 2023.
- Olena Vaskovska — an energy specialist with over 20 years of experience, who continued her work at new substations after evacuation.
- Andrii Samusin — a psychologist who supports rescuers through meditation and trips to remote areas.
- Viktor Kurdvanyvskyi — an emergency medical technician from Odesa, who saves lives during emergencies.
- Kateryna Onipenko — a police lieutenant colonel documenting war crimes in eastern Ukraine.
- Anna Humenyuk — a psychologist supporting families of the deceased and children during evacuations.
- Oleg Polshcha — head of the demining unit, clearing water bodies of hazardous materials.
Stefan Schloening, head of cooperation programs at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, emphasized the importance of supporting those who care for people's safety.
“Emergency service workers demonstrate extraordinary courage daily. This exhibition honors their work and reaffirms the EU's commitment to helping Ukraine recover,” he noted.
Auke Lotsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, highlighted the significance of these heroes for the country’s recovery.
“Behind every rescue operation is a choice for bravery over fear. This exhibition highlights these heroes and reminds us that resilience grows through solidarity. Together with the EU, UNDP will continue to support communities in Ukraine,” he added.
We invite you to visit the exhibition at Blockbuster Mall (Stepan Bandera Avenue, 36, Kyiv) from December 2 to 21.
