On October 5, 2026, the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts hosted a poignant and significant event — the opening of the exhibition “(Un)extinguished Light of Those (Not)Born for War”.

The event was held as part of the large-scale project “Place of Presence: Memory, Creativity, Life”, supported by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation within the “Culture. Regions” grant programme. The project is curated by Oleksandr DEMCHENKO, Oleksandr RIDNYI, and Vladyslav YUDIN.

The exhibition was officially opened by KSADA Rector Oleksandr SOBOLIEV, who expressed deep gratitude to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the opportunity to live, work, and preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage. He emphasised that this exposition serves as a living memory of the fallen artists and announced that a memorial will soon be erected to honour their memory. Kostiantyn CHERNIAVSKYI, Head of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, also addressed the audience, paying tribute to the fallen heroes and expressing his gratitude to the exhibition organisers.

Moving and emotional speeches were delivered by the loved ones of the fallen defenders. Kateryna, the wife of Anton DERBILOV, who also studied at the Academy, shared her memories of him, while his fellow serviceman and comrade, known by the call sign “KRAVA”, spoke about Anton’s resilience, character, and daily military life.

The exhibition encompasses drawings, graphic works, sculptures, photographs, and video materials that tell the stories of people with a unique vision of the world and beauty. Among the featured authors are Academy graduates and artists Anton DERBILOV, Ruslan MOVCHAN, and Yurii KRASIUK, who took up arms to defend their homeland in the first days of Russia’s full-scale military aggression against Ukraine. Alongside their works, the exhibition also presents the art of young Veronika KOZHUSHKO, who dreamed of becoming a professional artist but was tragically killed during one of Russia’s attacks on Kharkiv.

None of them were born for war — their calling was to create, to perceive the world, and to enrich it with harmony. They gave the most precious thing they had — their lives — but their light has not been extinguished. It will live on in their works and in our memory.

Glory to Ukraine! Heroes Never Die!

Photo report: Davyd PONOMAROV