Exhibition “War. Made in Russia” in Hradec Králové: Artifacts and Paintings

On May 7 at 3:00 PM, the Primátor Hall of Hradec Králové will host the opening of the exhibition “War. Made in Russia” — a project dedicated to artifacts of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. The exhibition’s partners are the Ukrainian Institute in Prague, the Magistrate of the City of Hradec Králové, and the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation.

May 6, 2026 | Секретар Фундації | News, Uncategorized

What Visitors Will See

The exhibition will present authentic objects brought from Ukraine: burnt military equipment, damaged personal belongings, and everyday items belonging to civilians who witnessed Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The exhibits convey not an abstract image of war, but its real consequences — destruction, loss, and shattered lives.

The central visual of the project is a poster featuring a fragment of burnt equipment with the inscription “Válka. Vyrobeno v Rusku” (“War. Made in Russia”). It points directly to the source of the war that has brought large-scale violence back to the heart of Europe.

The exhibition aims not only to preserve the memory of the Russian-Ukrainian war, but also to foster critical reflection on the causes and consequences of Russian aggression for Ukraine and European society.

Works by Rostyslav Prokopʼyuk

Two works by Ukrainian artist and Director of the Ukrainian Institute in Prague Rostyslav Prokopʼyuk will be part of the exhibition. One of the paintings was created ten years ago as a premonition of future chaos, while simultaneously carrying hope for the return of harmony.

“I left the painting unfinished and walked out of the studio. When I came back the next day, the paint had flowed by itself into strange emotions and forms. After that I understood — that is how it should be. Sometimes we must be guided by higher forces. They must give us hope. And we must believe,” says Rostyslav Prokopʼyuk.

The second work was created under the impression of the tragedy of Mariupol and Azovstal.

According to Rostyslav Prokopʼyuk, “War Artifacts” — now in its thirteenth year of war — remains a powerful voice of Ukraine in Europe: a reminder for those inclined to forget, and a memorial to those who today defend not only Ukraine but also serve as a shield for Europe. As we previously wrote, the artist has actively represented Ukrainian culture in the Czech Republic for many years.

The artist also expressed gratitude to the project’s partners and the Czech side for their support of the exhibition, including the Magistrate of the City of Hradec Králové, Mayor Pavlína Springerová, the city government, former Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák, and the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation.

“I believe the exhibition will leave no one indifferent to human pain and courage. Today, only an active stance and support for Ukraine can be the factor that brings our victory closer,” says Rostyslav Prokopʼyuk.

Participation of Volodymyr Yelchenko

At the invitation of the Ukrainian Institute in Prague, Volodymyr Yelchenko — Head of International Policy Research at the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine, and former Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations — will take part in the opening ceremony. Volodymyr Yelchenko and Rostyslav Prokopʼyuk recently met with the Ukrainian community in Prague.