On Thursday, February 24, at 3 a.m. Polish time, Russian troops attacked Ukraine. Vladimir Putin’s troops struck from various directions, both from the ground and from the air. In the morning of February 25, the Russians began bombing the capital of Ukraine. The situation is changing minute by minute, we are driving.
“I’m not running away from home, though I don’t know how to fight”
This spring, Paweł Makow is to represent Ukraine at the Venice Biennale. According to reports, on Friday the 63-year-old artist planned to go to the shooting range with his friend to “refresh” the skills acquired years ago during the military training. He did not make it – on Thursday, Russian troops entered Ukraine. Makov and his family live in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city under fire.
– You must understand that we have already lost 15,000. soldiers in the last eight years. Europe thought it was a little conflict elsewhere. But this is a conflict on the eastern border of Europe, emphasized Makov, referring to the consequences of the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014. – The West did not accept what was happening here: the war against the civilization it represents. This is not a war between Ukrainians and Russians – it is a war between two civilizations and two mentalities – added the artist.
The events of eight years ago prompted Maków and a group of other artists to support Ukraine’s defense efforts by selling their works. As we read in Artnet News, one of the artist’s friends, who serves in the Donbass region, could use the money earned thanks to Maków’s work to buy a bulletproof vest and a new weapon. – It wasn’t enough to buy everything. Everyone is doing what they can – explained the sculptor.
Pawło Makow was born in Saint Petersburg, but has been living in Ukraine since childhood. In Crimea, he studied fine arts and graphics. His work often takes the form of thin-line etchings, as well as graphic works and drawings. Makow also creates large sculptures; his works have been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Met in New York. “I am a citizen of Ukraine and for me citizenship is much more important than my ethnic identity,” he said.
A refreshed version of his 1995 sculpture “The Fountain of Exhaustion”, which was inspired by “the lack of vitality in post-Soviet society”, was to be shipped to Venice in two weeks. Makow has contact with the curators of his exhibition who are staying in Kiev, but he cannot be sure whether the project will succeed. “Now no one knows what will happen,” said Makov, who does not plan to leave Kharkiv. – I’m not running away from home, although I can’t really fight and I don’t know how to do it. You need to be trained. We’ll see what happens next. Russia just won’t stop. They will continue to fight. But we too – summed up the artist.
The Russian war against Ukraine continues. There is information about houses destroyed, wounded and killed. Needs are increasing hour by hour. That is why Gazeta.pl joins forces with the Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM) Foundation to support humanitarian aid for Ukrainians and Ukrainians. Anyone can join the fundraiser by paying via Facebook or pcpm.org.pl/ukraina. More information
Source: Gazeta
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
