Two communities, united by shared pain and an unshakable faith in the future, came together in Hostomel as part of the national project “Side by Side: United Communities.”
It was here that the grand opening of the exhibition “The Sorrowful Way of Bakhmut” took place—a profound, emotional project that has become a symbol of the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit.
The heart of the exhibition is a series of unique carvings on ostrich eggshells. This is an extraordinarily delicate and masterful work that recreates the sorrowful path of Jesus Christ. But at the same time, it is more than just a biblical narrative… It draws a parallel with the fate of Bakhmut. Just as Christ went through suffering and death to resurrection, so too is Bakhmut today walking its most difficult path, after which rebirth will surely follow.
Each delicate carving speaks of pain, strength, and faith—of the fact that life always triumphs.
The exhibition is complemented by photographs that reveal the city’s history in three dimensions:
- Before the war—a vibrant, beautiful, architecturally unique Bakhmut.
- During the war—destroyed, but unconquered.
- The future—visions of a restored city, created using modern technologies.
These images are a manifesto of faith: Bakhmut will surely be reborn and live again under a peaceful sky.
A particularly heartwarming part of the event was a plaster casting workshop. Children and adults cast Easter eggs with their own hands, painted them, and decorated a symbolic tree of life.
The Gostomel community gave the exhibition an exceptionally warm reception, proving once again that mutual support among communities is our strength today. This opening was not only a cultural event but also the start of new joint initiatives and partnerships.
Based on materials from the Bakhmut City Council