Ukraine: Reborn. Exhibition opening

This unique exhibition explores how the natural world survives and recovers from the scars of war.

Exhibition Schedule and Location

Exhibition Dates: 24 April to 10 May 2026

Special Opening Event: 1 May 18:00 - 20.00 - Quad South Foyer

Venue: York St John University, Quad South Foyer

 

About the Project

Curated by Dr Kateryna Minakova, the exhibition is a collaborative project hosted by York Business School.

The display features evocative photography from across Ukraine, inspirational drawings along with moving poetry written by Professor Oz Hardwick, Dr. Amina Alyal and other contributing writers. Together, they document the environmental impact of the conflict from 2014 to the present day.

 

A Story of Environmental Resilience

The exhibition focuses on the beauty of Ukrainian landscapes now facing the reality of bombings and chemical contamination.

As light fights the darkness and spring follows winter, this collection shows both the cruelty of war and the enduring hope of the land. It serves as a call to action for all of us to protect and assist the Earth in its recovery.

For Dr Minakova, this project is deeply personal. Having lost her first friend to the war in 2014 and later arriving in the UK as a refugee, she has dedicated her work to helping people understand

Ukraine beyond the news. She now lives between the UK and Ukraine, where her family remains.

 

The exhibition brings together

- Poetry that captures our emotional ties to nature

- Photography documenting both devastation and hope

- Visual art

- Legal and ethical perspectives on environmental protection

- First‑hand experiences of life shaped by conflict

 

Explore More

Visitors can learn more about the protection of the environment through the lens of the European Parliament and Council directives on criminal law.

For a deeper look at the personal stories behind the images, you can follow the vlog of Kateryna Minakova regarding Dnipro on YouTube here https://youtube.com/@withekaterina?si=ridBNierkpqS9S3g.

 

This event is suitable for children aged 14 and above.