Experience the Virtual Reality of the War in Ukraine
Donation protected
Hello, we are a volunteer team with the "War Up Close", Sustain Ukraine and Sunflower Dreams project. We are seeking your support to bring this impactful exhibition about the war in Ukraine to Kelowna (BC) on August 23, to mark the 34th year of Ukraine's independence.
About the Exhibition
War Up Close is a powerful virtual reality project that will transport the viewer to ground zero of the war in Ukraine. Through VR goggles, you will see up close the realities of war on the cities, towns and villages of Ukraine. This VR exhibit has been travelling the world since Russia's invasion in 2022, sharing the truth about Ukraine's ongoing struggle.
With VR headsets, visitors can "walk" through bombed-out ruins of homes, schools, museums, and more, experiencing the devastation firsthand. The photos do not depict dead bodies or blood. Instead, this exhibition offers an emotional and educational journey like no other, fostering understanding and empathy for the people affected by the war.
The exhibition in Kelowna will be attended by Mykola Omelchenko, one of the War up Close project organizers and a photojournalist. Despite the constant danger, he and his team risk their lives to capture the brutal reality of Russia’s crimes against Ukraine.
Why We Need Your Support
We are determined to make this experience accessible to as many people as possible. The exhibition is free admission and we need your support to cover the costs of bringing it to Kelowna.
What Your Contribution Will Support
Travel and Logistics: Covering the travel expenses for the team and transporting the VR equipment, children's arts, and materials to the venue.
Sustain Ukraine , a key partner in supporting Ukraine, will also be present at the exhibition.
The project 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 of 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.
Part of the exhibition will also feature artworks by children from the Sunflower Dreams Project.
Each piece is created by individual children themselves, who lived in these destroyed homes in the war-torn East and South. They now live as refugees in their own land, in Lviv.
The programme is inspired by Lviv art lecturer at Lviv Polytechnic University, Nataliia Pavliuk and her daughter, Yustyna. This courageous programm aims to help traumatized children heal by finding some peace through creating art. The children paint with joy, hope, resilience, in the brightest colors.
But look more closely and you will also see their trauma, loss and pain from a childhood torn apart by war.
Let’s preserve history together and share the truth with the world!
Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of Sts Peter and Paul Church
Date: August 23rd (Saturday)
Time: 1pm-7pm
Location: 1933 Barlee Road (Parish hall)
We sincerely thank the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of Sts Peter and Paul Church for the invitation and invaluable support of our initiative.
Additional social media and recent media coverage:
Photo by Roksolana Duda and Olena Heichenko
Co-organizers (2)
Mykola Omelchenko
Organizer
Knoxville, TN
Olena Heichenko
Co-organizer