Images of Ukraine are arranged to represent the complexity and beauty of the nation’s history and culture. The upper rows include prominent Ukrainians such as Taras Shevchenko, Ivan Franko, and Yaroslav the Wise. The collage is tied to a photo essay, Glory to the Heroes / Heróyam Sláva, about meeting the couple at its center.

Nods to the country’s complex history include an outline of the recently disassembled People’s Friendship Arch representing solidarity with Soviet Russia, which contains a mural conflating a modern Ukrainian soldier to a member of the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army). The UPA collaborated with — and fought against — Nazi Germany.

To celebrate and consider Ukraine’s history and culture. You can also do this by donating to Razom or buying from Saint Javelin.

All photos taken on a second-hand Canon point-and-shoot (PowerShot ELPH 340 HS 1/2.3 12x) or Samsung Galaxy S7. Edited with Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop. Initially conceptualized as a large format 32x24 inch poster, it might also serve as a phone background or postcard.

All photos my own, taken in July 2017 and assembled August 2022. Photos of the fields in the bottom-middle pane, behind the portrait in the center-middle pane, and behind the statues in the top-middle pane were taken in northern Belarus. All other photos were taken in Ukraine: The row of cathedral photos in Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church; photos in the bottom-left pane at Shevchenkivskyi Hai Park Museum; portrait of the couple and the photos in the bottom-right pane in Zabolotiv.

The “FREEDOM IS OUR RELIGION” banner towards the middle-right really seems that big in person and lives dead center in the nation’s capital. Other specific locations available on request.

The couple in the portrait exemplify my understanding of Ukraine’s moral spirit. Much of why I feel that way is explained in Glory to the Heroes / Heróyam Sláva.