The presentation of the exhibition “Iron People” will take place on November 13, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the War Museum. This is an original project by Dutch photographer and documentary filmmaker Jelle Krings, dedicated to the courage and dedication of Ukrainian railway workers during the russian-Ukrainian war. The exhibition is realized with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine.
Over 200,000 railway workers maintain the functioning of approximately 20,000 km of tracks in Ukraine. Despite regular russian attacks, they ensure vital communications for the Defense Forces of Ukraine and save civilians from the horrors of war. The “Iron People” exhibition introduces the stories of Ukrainian railway workers and conveys their testimonies about the war unleashed by russia. This is a story about ordinary people whose tireless work helps Ukraine withstand an existential threat.
The exhibition will feature photographs created during years of travel on “Ukrzaliznytsia” (Ukrainian Railways), complemented by personal stories from railway workers and their families. A key focus of the project will be the short documentary film “The Line of Life.” The film reveals the story of Tetiana Vislohuzova, the head of an evacuation train that became a chance for salvation for thousands of residents of frontline regions. The audio accompaniment of the exhibition space consists of sounds that form the daily rhythms of life along the tracks during the war.
About the project. The “Iron People” exhibition is the culmination of the project by Dutch photographer and documentary filmmaker Jelle Krings, “Iron People: War and Life Along Ukraine’s Railways.” Since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, the author has traveled across Ukraine, documenting the dangerous work and daily lives of railway workers and the dramatic tapestry of human stories unfolding along the railway tracks. Jelle Krings has taken thousands of photos and videos that have already gained global recognition and will be presented in Ukraine for the first time in the format of a multimedia exhibition.
