The exhibition “Hope in Confinement” and charity auction for Ukraine

We invite you to visit the exhibition entitled ‘Hope in Confinement’ in the historic cellars of the International Cultural Centre. It is a moving exhibition of photographs summarising three years of activity by the ‘Ukraina Pomagamy’ (We Help Ukraine) group – a Polish-Ukrainian collective of volunteers and art conservators. The exhibition and accompanying charity auction will not only be an opportunity to reflect on war, solidarity and the protection of our common heritage, but also provide real support for medics and soldiers on the front line.

19 September – 5 October 2025    

Exhibition opening: 19 September 2025, 18.00

Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10.00–17.00

Venue: historic cellars of the International Cultural Centre

The event will summarise more than three years of activity by a Polish-Ukrainian collective of volunteers, artists and conservators of historical monuments, operating as part of the ‘Ukraine We Help’ project. It is run by the Fundamenty Kultury Foundation, and the initiator and coordinator of the project is Anna Kudzia – conservator, initiator and coordinator of the ‘Ukraina Pomagamy’ project, president of the Fundamenty Kultury Foundation, who has been working in Ukraine for over ten years to save the common cultural heritage of these areas.

The main part of the artistic and charitable event will be an exhibition of photographs by Natalia Jastrzębska, transporting viewers into the world of people who did not give up in the face of war. Ania Kudzia's texts will bring you closer to the emotions that accompanied them, and the sounds from Donbas recorded during aid trips with Volodymyr Olshansky and Audiostories will allow you to immerse yourself in the space of these places.

The visual story of support for Ukraine at war, both through medical aid for soldiers and consistent conservation work carried out by Polish-Ukrainian teams despite the war, will be complemented by metal ammunition boxes brought from the front line and painted by Ukrainian artists. They will symbolise the closure of war, but also the finding of a place for hope, born despite fear, suffering and uncertainty. The story of the two pillars of activity – saving lives and heritage – is an expression of solidarity, courage and faith in the future of Ukraine as a free and sovereign country.

“Hope in Confinement” is also a form of thanks – to all those who were, are and may still be part of this war aid,‘ says Anna Kudzia. ’It is an expression of gratitude to everyone who supported our activities, but also to all other forms of aid to Ukraine. This exhibition and the accompanying meetings tell not only about the war and support for those fighting, but also about saving monuments during the conflict and about ‘normal life’ that goes on while rockets fly overhead. It is a story of a journey and friendship, pain and sadness, as well as a story of sacrifice and courage. It is a story of life in a hurry, constant tension, sleepless nights and the constant need to adapt. But above all, it is a story about hope that does not fade despite everything, he adds.

All photographs presented at the exhibition will be auctioned online on the Allegro Charytatywni portal, running parallel to the two-week exhibition. All proceeds from the auction will go towards supporting frontline medics, primarily for the purchase of IFAK first aid kits, which increase the chances of survival for the wounded, and medical backpacks, which are essential for saving lives in combat conditions.