Ukraine: The Cost of Freedom

Te Taunga Community Hub, Grand Foyer, free with Museum entry.

Curated by Ukrainians in New Zealand, Ukraine: The Cost of Freedom is a photographic exhibition offering a recent glimpse of life from the frontline of the devastating war against Russian forces.

These extraordinary and sometimes harrowing images captured by some of the most prominent Ukrainian photographers shed light on the pain and struggle of Ukrainian citizens, who have been resisting Russian invasion for many months.

Exhibited internationally, the photographs include those taken along the high-risk 1,000KM frontline, showing the destruction resulting from the attacks, with ruins of Ukrainian cities now laid in rubble.

Since the invasion began in February of this year, more than 120,000 residential buildings, 2,000 schools and 700 hospitals have been destroyed or severely damaged. Thousands of lives have been lost, including more than 350 children, and more than 12 million Ukrainians have fled their homes seeking safety.

Everything you will see and experience in this gallery has been chosen by members of the Ukrainian community to tell their own story.

Visit Ukraine: The Cost of Freedom to gain deeper insight into the human cost of this current-day war.

CONTENT ADVISORY:
Ukraine: The Cost of Freedom may not be suitable for children aged under 15 years. The exhibition contains graphic and confronting content, and includes a separate sign-posted section with photographs depicting explicit harm to adults and children.

Banner image: Serhii Mykhalchuk