New Mural in Sumy: A Symbol of Resistance and Cultural Memory of the City
Recently, the city of Sumy has been embellished with a vibrant piece of contemporary art—a mural titled ‘Walls of Resistance.’ This large-scale graffiti was created as part of a broad initiative brought together by the Resistance Movement of the Special Operations Forces (SSO) and the National Resistance Centre.
The location near the Theatre Square makes it highly visible to the public and serves as a symbolic landmark for the local community.
The mural vividly depicts an image of a significant city monument—the Taras Shevchenko monument.
Originally built by the renowned sculptor Ivan Kavaleridze in 1926, this monument has long been a symbol of cultural and national identity but was subsequently destroyed during the Soviet regime.
According to representatives of the National Resistance Centre, this artistic project aims to restore memory and highlight the importance of Ukrainian resilience throughout history.
The article also mentions an exhibition by contemporary artist Oleksandr Dubovyk, titled ‘Reflections and Glimmers,’ opened at the Sofia Kyivska.
Art critic Andriy Yermolenko remarked that in the composition, Shevchenko appears as Prometheus, fighting against a ‘Moscow monster’—a symbol of the occupation that lasted for centuries, feeding on Ukrainian blood.
The idea for the mural was conceived by Lviv artist Mykhailo Skop, who incorporated flags from the prominent stele at the entrance to Sumy and references to works by Ukrainian monument artists Krieevskiy and Pimonenko.
Modern motifs are also expressed through images of members of the band ‘Hamerachman Znyshchue Virusy,’ symbolizing a connection between past, present, art, and activism, thus creating a comprehensive image of Ukraine’s ongoing resistance.
Earlier, in Kyiv, a large installation titled ‘Movement’ by artist Lesya Khomenko was unveiled in the hall of the Central Railway Station.
It was implemented in partnership with the PinchukArtCentre and ‘Ukrzaliznytsia.’