By Launa Stan (Poetry Art)
This morning on May 24th I learned of the horrific missile strike that Russia inflicted on Kyiv. Multiple strikes were aimed at cultural sites across the city. Besides schools and shopping centers, the Kyiv Opera House, the National Art Museum (NAMU), and the Chernobyl National Museum were targeted and bombed.
I have a painting called, “Uprooted” that is part of the permanent collection of the Chernobyl National Museum. The museum is dedicated to remembering the events surrounding the April 26, 1986 nuclear plant explosion and the first responders who gave their lives. My first trip to Ukraine was with EEO (now Mercy Projects) in 1997 and we visited first responders. I was so devastated by what I learned that I created this painting and it was dedicated at the museum in 1999.
There is a tremendous amount of symbolism that I painted into that very large painting. In the center is a grandmother in her traditional babushka covered in the domes of churches, angels and people dressed in Ukrainian costumes. Down her lapel are black and white photos, that were displayed in the museum of children whose lives were lost due to the nuclear accident.
She is holding a child who is gnawing on the Holy Scriptures with a Orthodox cross on the cover. In the blue air behind is the radiation that permeated the surrounding cities, villages and countryside. There is a tree without leaves that has been uprooted and the base is in flames, within a cradle which is also being consumed by the conflagration. This represents the generations that have been extinguished from being able to live a long and productive life here on earth. Hanging from the empty branches are family photos and a traditional weaving that has symbols of love, death, poison and Communism, woven into its fabric. The old lady represents the widows and the child is an orphan. These vulnerable ones are always the victims of the atrocities of others. I think this image and the poem to follow is contemporary to what the Ukrainian people have suffered these last four years, as well as the many things that have transpired to still their unique identity, memory and voice over the past millennia.
What Putin’s latest bombing proves, they are trying to remove Ukraine’s heritage, hope and faith, by destroying their culture. This enemy will not be victorious in erasing these beautiful people’s spirit, stamina or National pride. The Stalin designed man-made famine (Holodomor) of 1932-33 killed millions of Ukrainians in one winter…. but Ukraine kept standing.
The Soviet design of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, and it’s explosion, did not destroy the people. And neither will this invasion by Russia….no matter how many bombs, missiles, and drones fly in!
In The Rubble A Painting Is Recovered
What about my original painting in the rubble of the Chernobyl Museum? Well, I always told my children, “Things are not important, people are.” I am very sad for the two people who lost their lives and the 100 people injured in the attacks.
In the early part of the day, I assumed the painting was lost. The report stated that 40% of the Museum items were destroyed. Later someone sent me this photo of a rescue worker carrying my painting out of the building.
I love doing Poetry Art and feel like this is my calling and my joy. But, it is not my purpose for living or my legacy. It is a vehicle or platform for loving God and loving people. Ironically, my husband Marty and I planned on visiting the Chernobyl Museum in July. We will be in Ukraine to work in the Mercy Projects summer camp ministry.
I have not seen the museum or painting since it was installed in 1999. Over the decades, I have received emails from folks from many nations who were moved by the imagery and poetry. When we dedicated the painting, Uprooted, our dear friend, Irina, translated the poetry from English to Ukrainian. At the ceremony, a Ukrainian poet approached me and through tears asked how, “an American Artist and Poet could understand the heart of the Ukrainian soul so well?” His words remain the greatest compliment that I have ever received for my work.
The last line of the poem states it best, “From these strange ashes-HOPE will arise!”
The heart of the Ukrainian people is their steadfast hope. Read the Poem Uprooted here.