# WAR UP CLOSE 24-25 May 2025. An Event of ‘Odesa Week in Vancouver’

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2025/05/war-up-close-24-25-may-2025-an-event-of-odesa-week-in-vancouver/
- Published: 2025-05-26T08:09:46-07:00
- Author: Website

As part of the [**Maple Hope Foundation**](https://www.maplehopefoundation.org/)’
s 2025 [**Odesa Week in Vancouver**](https://www.maplehopefoundation.org/projects/odesa-week-in-vancouver/),
a number of events have been organized throughout the greater Vancouver area to 
promote education and appeal for various kinds of support. One of the events, a 
two-day exhibit of art, videos, photographs and displays, took place at the [**University Canada West**](https://www.ucanwest.ca/)
on the weekend of 24-25 of May 2025. Bishop Michael visited the exhibit and was 
deeply moved by the stark images and the extraordinary way in they were presented
via VR headsets. But he was also inspired by the resilience and hope that the people
of Ukraine demonstrate _as well as the people at the Vancouver exhibit_ – among 
them familiar faces from the Eparchy!

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The importance of this exhibit is surely in the way that it will raise awareness
among those who don’t fully appreciate the scope and scale of the tragedy. Also 
to raise support for the Ukrainian People who live in fear daily and yet are determined
to survive and to win. The Head and Father of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, His
Beatitude [**Sviatoslav**](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-meets-with-archbishop-shevchuk.html),
always end his talks and reports with a sort of ‘sign off’, by saying, “**Україна
стоїть! Україна бореться! Україна молиться!**”, i.e. “**Ukraine stands! Ukraine 
fights! Ukraine prays!**” Such exhibits as “War up Close” certainly go far in demonstrating
that Ukraine is truly fighting for their lives and remains standing even after three
years of brutal Russian invasion. Yet one also leaves the exhibit with a renewed
conviction that together with all other efforts, **prayer** for an **end to the 
war** and a **restoration of peace and justice** is of paramount importance for 
a long-lasting peace is to be achieved. What is so obviously needed is not only 
military victory and a rebuilding a society from the [ruins of merciless destruction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9R5ubymFSc),
but a conversion of hearts and souls to a Gospel way of life so that such hatred
and greed and untruth would never arise again.  

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[**War Up Close**](https://war.city/) is a unique digital project that combines 
interactive platforms documenting the realities of war with a VR exhibition that
has been traveling the world for almost three years and sharing the truth about 
Ukraine’s ongoing struggle. The exhibit emanates from the Virtual Reality Museum
of War in Ukraine.

This project aims to preserve historical memory, support academic research, and 
engage the international community in understanding the scale of the tragedy and
the heroism of the Ukrainian people.

[**Sustain Ukraine**](https://www.facebook.com/groups/sustainukraine/) joined forces
with Teachers of Kyiv to support and protect Ukrainian Forces through powerful student-
led efforts, such as weaving camouflage netting, helmet covers, and other items,
in addition to the eventual creation a 3D printing lab. Their work has grown to 
include repairing and donating vehicles, with local mechanics offering their time
and students raising the funds for the parts. These kids aren’t just learning—they’re
saving lives and giving hope, they know they’re making a difference, and they truly
are.

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[**Sunflower Dreams Project**](https://sunflowerdreamsproject.org/) is inspired 
by a Lviv art lecturer at the Lviv Polytechnic University, Nataliia Pavliuk and 
her daughter, Yustyna. Their tireless and courageous programme to help traumatised
children heal through the peace of creating art. The children paint with joy, hope,
resilience, in the brightest colours. But once you know how to look, you see their
trauma, loss and pain from the war.

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**«[War Up Close](https://war.city/uk/)»** — це унікальний цифровий проект, який
поєднує інтерактивну платформу, що документує реалії війни, з VR-виставкою. Вже 
майже три роки вона подорожує світом, розповідаючи правду про боротьбу України. 

Мета проекту — зберегти історичну пам’ять, підтримати наукові дослідження та залучити
міжнародну спільноту до усвідомлення масштабів трагедії та героїзму українського
народу. 

**Sustain Ukraine** - об’єднались із Teachers of Kyiv, щоб підтримувати та захищати
Збройні Сили України завдяки потужним ініціативам студентів: плетенню маскувальних
сіток, чохлів для шоломів та іншого спорядження, а згодом — створенню лабораторії
з 3D-друку. З часом їхня робота розширилась до ремонту та передачі автомобілів на
фронт: місцеві механіки безкоштовно працюють, а студенти збирають кошти на запчастини.
Ці діти не просто вчаться — вони рятують життя та дарують надію. Вони знають, що
роблять справжню зміну — і так воно й є. 

[**Sunflower Dreams Project**](https://sunflowerdreamsproject.org/) - це ініціатива
викладачки мистецтв з Львівської політехніки Наталії Павлюк та її доньки Юстини.
Їхня невтомна і мужня програма допомагає дітям, які пережили травму, загоювати рани
через мистецтво. Діти малюють з радістю, надією та стійкістю, використовуючи яскраві
кольори. Але якщо придивитися, у їхніх роботах можна побачити біль, втрати та травми
війни.

**Господи Ісусе, - заступництвом Твоєї благословенної Матері, Пресвятої Богородиці,
Цариці цього травня - спаси і збережи Україну!**

_(photos and information gathered by Volodymyr Mykhalyshyn)_

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