Residents of Mariupol are telling the international community about their city’s tragedy. In Munich, Ukrainian artist Iryna Fedorenko from Mariupol, known by her artistic name SEMIRA, met with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
The meeting focused on Ukraine, the power of art, and the role of culture in preserving the memory of the war. Iryna Fedorenko explained how she uses art to speak to the world about the tragedy, pain, resilience, and hope of the Ukrainian people. Through a series of works—particularly those dedicated to children of war—the artist tells the global community about Ukraine.
As a token of gratitude for the consistent support of our country at the European level, she presented one of her works to Roberta Metsola: “We had a warm conversation about Ukraine, and I am happy that my painting will bring joy to such a wonderful person.”
Iryna Fedorenko is a Ukrainian artist from Mariupol who, after the outbreak of full-scale war, was forced to leave Ukraine and now lives and works in Munich. Her work has become one of Ukraine’s artistic voices abroad. In recent years, the artist’s works have been featured in dozens of exhibitions at galleries and museums in Ukraine, Europe, the United States, and China. Themes of war, childhood, loss, memory, and rebirth occupy a special place in her work.
Based on materials from the Mariupol City Council
