An art and documentary installation titled "Sloviansk 360°"—created by the NGO "Sloviansk Cultural Center 'Zadzerkallia'"—was unveiled in Kropyvnytskyi. It invites viewers to see Sloviansk not through the cold prism of war reports or news headlines, but through people's vivid memories and the city's cherished corners.
The event took place on September 10 and drew over thirty visitors, including both displaced persons from Sloviansk and local residents.
The exhibition features 12 panels framed like windows; behind each frame lies a photograph of a specific spot in Sloviansk. Looking through these "windows," the viewer is transported to a different reality, returning home for a brief moment.
Each location also has its own unique soundscape: by scanning a QR code next to the exhibit, visitors can listen to an audio story. This allows them not only to view the cityscape but also to hear personal narratives etched in the memories of Sloviansk’s residents.
At the opening, the photographs sparked heartfelt conversations and reminiscences. Visitors recognized familiar streets and buildings, recalling their childhoods, friends, and daily routes. For those who had never visited Sloviansk, these voices offered a chance to discover the city through the lived experiences of its people.
The concept of "Sloviansk 360°" is built precisely on this blend of visual imagery, human voices, and emotion. The project assembles a mosaic of perspectives on the city, revealing something that an ordinary photograph cannot capture: the deep, invisible bond between a person and their native land.
For the "Zadzerkallia" team, it is crucial to speak about Sloviansk in terms that go beyond the prism of war. After all, the city possesses a rich history, unique architecture, and the warmth of everyday life—elements that endure in people's hearts and memories.
"Sloviansk will live on as long as there are people who remember it, a community united by the city, and a belief that we will definitely return!" emphasized Oleksandr Kashlakov, head of the NGO "SKC 'Zadzerkallia'."
In the coming days, the exhibition can be visited at the "KropHUB" volunteer space. Later, the display will travel to other locations in Kropyvnytskyi and to cities across Ukraine.
The installation’s 12 windows represent 12 perspectives on Sloviansk. Yet, behind each one lies far more than just a photograph: there are human destinies, history, and memories that cannot be taken away.
Note:
The "Sloviansk 360°" project was implemented as part of the CASCADE initiative with financial support from the Swedish Institute. It is being carried out by the East Hub sub-network (part of the Trans Europe Halles network, Sweden), coordinated by the IZOLYATSIA foundation (Ukraine) and Malý Berlín (Slovakia), in partnership with Salaam Cinema (Azerbaijan) and Culture and Management Lab (Georgia).