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On February 23, on the eve of the second anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion, the War Museum and the Polish Institute in Kyiv presented the exhibition "Phoenix Cities. Reconstruction after the War Destruction".

For two years, Ukraine has been constantly subjected to barbaric shelling and rocket attacks. The enemy has almost wholly destroyed some cities, such as Mariupol, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka. Others like Lviv, Chernihiv, or Kyiv have suffered less damage. Architects, urbanists, and monument restorers are discussing rebuilding Ukrainian cities despite the constant threat.

The street stand exhibition reflects on history to present the experience of rebuilding cities that suffered from war destruction, particularly in Poland (Warsaw, Wroclaw) and other countries (Rotterdam, Tokyo, Coventry, Dubrovnik). It shows examples of their reconstruction compared to the restoration projects of Ukrainian cities that suffered from devastating shelling. The cities of Mariupol, Irpin, Kherson, Kharkiv, Trostianets, Chernihiv, and Lviv appear bright, modern, and comfortable in the pictures. All this is to emphasize that we will rebuild what has been destroyed.

During visits to the formerly occupied territories, museum staff witnessed the destruction left behind by the occupiers. This first-hand experience aids in exhibition activities. Examples of cities like Tokyo, rebuilt after significant destruction, offer hope for transforming urban spaces into modern and harmonious ones.

According to Robert Czyzewski, Director of the Polish Institute in Kyiv, the exhibition opening venue is deeply symbolic. After all, the location where the roots of the Russian myth of the "Great Patriotic War" were nurtured has become the core of the Ukrainian spirit.

Residents of the battle-torn Bakhmut know that a city is not just walls. Now, they are scattered around the world, but they dream of returning to their home, said Iryna Bulgakova, head of the Bakhmut City Council’s culture department. The faith of their fellow citizens that their small homeland will be revived was turned into a magical song by the vocalists of the Rhapsody duo, Olena and Anna Golubtsov.

Let’s rebuild Ukrainian cities together!