Polina Stohnushko, Intervention THE WORLD WILL NEVER FORGET UKRAINIAN HEROES, 2023, Berlin, Photo: Dico Bascoro

THE WORLD WILL NEVER FORGET UKRAINIAN HEROES

The Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park remains a gathering and celebratory place for Russians in Germany, perpetuating a deeply entrenched propagandistic narrative. The intervention THE WORLD WILL NEVER FORGET UKRAINIAN HEROES engages in a dialogue with a memorial plaque displaying an anonymous message in both Russian and German: THE MOTHERLAND WILL NOT FORGET HER HEROES. The intervention inscription visibly challenges the exclusive appropriation of World War II victory by Soviet Russia, illuminating the problematic nature of the imperial memorial itself

The inscription's font embodies the symbolic essence of Borshchivka, a traditional Ukrainian embroidery worn by women from the Ternopil region to mourn Ukrainian men lost to the enemy. Set within a grand mosaic pattern adorned with laurel leaves—a symbol of victory—the inscription prompts critical reflection on the prevailing triumphalist narrative by Soviet Russia. This narrative obscures the full horrors of war while veiling the sacrifices made for an ethereal Soviet homeland. The intervention serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine and the countless lives sacrificed, both military and civilian. It redefines heroism, spotlighting the unwavering resilience of Ukrainians while showcasing their remarkable bravery, thereby emphasizing the essential need for a nuanced understanding of continuous Russian imperial ideology, the politics of history and memory, and the multifaceted aspects of collective remembrance

150 cm x 4000 cm, cardboard with metal foil