Exhibition: Ukraine. Rupture

Photographers: Benas Gerdziūnas, Denis Vėjas

Audio installation: Tomas Valkauskas, Adomas Zubė

Curators (Lithuania): Gabrielė Janilionytė, Indrė Kiršaitė

Curators (Latvia): Jorens Dobkiewicz, Alina Hačetlova

Ukraine. Rupture is a powerful, immersive audiovisual exhibition that offers a raw and intimate exploration of the devastating impact of war on Ukrainian society. Through a multimedia blend of authentic photographs, audio testimonies, and textual narratives, the exhibition provides visitors with a profound insight into the human stories behind the headlines—stories of resilience, trauma, and unity amid unimaginable hardship.

Created over two intensive trips to Ukraine by NARA multimedia creator Denis Vėjas and his team, the exhibition documents real emotions from war-torn communities, capturing a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s recent history—when the entire population became entwined in conflict. It confronts viewers with the wide-ranging consequences of war: from the mobilization of combatants to the lived experiences of displaced civilians, highlighting scars that may never fully heal.

Originally shown in six Lithuanian cities, Ukraine. Rupture was brought to Daugavpils to engage Russian-speaking audiences in the Baltic region, where susceptibility to disinformation remains high. The exhibition uses art as a transformative language, aiming to foster empathy and understanding across divided communities.

The opening event was elevated by a contemporary dance performance by Viktorija and Kristina Kovaļova, embodying the emotional landscape of war and loss. Curator and journalist Indrė Kiršaitė of NARA emphasized the exhibition’s mission to offer alternative perspectives through art—challenging dominant narratives and inspiring dialogue.

Public Program

Throughout the exhibition’s duration, a rich public program accompanied it, featuring open lessons, discussions, and workshops for both youth and senior participants. Visitors had the unique opportunity to engage directly with the curators and photographers, deepening their understanding of the war’s multifaceted human toll.

As one attendee shared, the exhibition stands as a vital act of empathy and awareness: “It gives an opportunity to see and hear for myself the nightmare created by the oppressive Kremlin regime.”