From idea to realization
In the midst of the tumultuous military operations, we got our hands on flares. They looked like miniature rockets, which instantly captured the imagination of our team. The symbolic contrast between the innocence and deadly force of these missiles, which the Russians use against our people, became the basis for our idea. Although it was both strange and somewhat scary to hold such a symbol in our hands, we felt a responsibility to convey the reality of war.
Volunteer illustrators joined our task, bringing their vision and feelings of cities under siege. They created unique illustrations reflecting life in conflict and added descriptions of their feelings. These flaccettes and other debris were transformed not just into objects, but into real works of art that connect peaceful life and the horrors of war.
Each box is of great importance. They are intended for volunteers and everyone who helps Ukrainians in this critical time. These are not just souvenirs, they are a reflection of our fate, a message to the world about the courage, strength of spirit and indomitable nature of our people. "Symbols of Resilience" is our gratitude to those who stand by us and a reflection of Ukraine's unbreakable will to fight for its future.
"The idea to create Kharkiv Girl came about spontaneously. When I looked in the mirror, I realized that I was the personification of my favorite city and what the war had done to it, and to me, respectively...""...my life and the lives of other Ukrainians changed dramatically on February 24, 2022. I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to very loud sounds, such as impacts and explosions. It was very scary because I realized that war had started..."
Diana
Alyona Dirizhenko
"The full-scale invasion started very unexpectedly for my family, the war made its own adjustments to our lives and I realized a very important thing. Home is not a house or an apartment, home is people, YOUR people, who are more important than anything else in the world. My native Chernihiv is one of the oldest cities in Ukraine, dotted with ancient temples and shrouded in many legends, but for me it is a city of people. Strong and unbreakable, who were among the first to meet the Russian horde and defend their native land with dignity..."
Anya
In light of the importance of our Symbols of Resilience project, we cannot but express our special gratitude to the talented illustrators who joined us. Their works are not just drawings - they are living reflections of the emotions, experiences and history of our people in the context of the conflict.
All the illustrations were done with deep feeling and dedication. Thanks to their professional eye and unsurpassed art, our boxes have become true messengers of the story we are committed to telling.
Your contribution to this project is invaluable. Your vision has helped to convey the true meaning of our mission and make Symbols of Resilience a memorable experience. From the entire team and those who will receive these boxes, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your work and inexhaustible creativity.
We would like to thank each and every illustrator who joined us. Your work will always be a big part of this project, embodying the true emotions and essence of our message. May your talent continue to unfold and inspire many.
For volunteers who receive these items for their contributions or work, they become not only a symbol of gratitude, but also a deep reflection of their feelings, support in difficult times, and a reminder of how much they have contributed to the fate of our country.
