Russia’s attack on Ukraine has shocked the whole Europe. For several weeks, we have been staring at our television screens in disbelief, wondering when it will all end. Artists from Ukraine and from around the world refuse to remain silent in the face of war and are calling for peace.
On the ARTE.tv website you can now find a series of short films: Ukraine #notspeechless, which features statements by: Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, Serbian conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović, Belarusian writer and journalist Sasha Filipenko, Iranian visual artist Shirin Neshat, Ukrainian pianist Alexej Botvinov or Georgian pianist Dudana Masmanischwili, as well as other artists, musicians, film directors, journalists from all over Europe. Let’s help spread their message to the people of Ukraine and around the world.
All the videos: https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/RC-022239/ukraine-notspeechless/
Please stay strong. Truth and peace must prevail.
“My name is Dmitrij Głuchowski and I am a book author from Moscow in Russia. I wanted to say that a lot of people in Russia, just like myself, very well understand that this war must be stopped right now. It is unfair, unjust, predatory and completely false. My thoughts go out to my friends in Kiev, Ukraine and other Ukrainian cities who currently suffer under the bombing from the Russian military. Please stay strong. Truth and peace must prevail.” – says Dmitrij Głuchowski, Russian author and journalist.
Luckily, I managed to evacuate my kids and the woman I love. Now I’m heading back to the place I live to help my country in resistance. When you’re talking about the Ukrainian crisis, it’s not a crisis. I would call it genocide. The genocide of Ukrainian people. And Europeans also must not feel helpless. This is a war against values. This is a war against commonsense. And if Ukraine will not resist, the next victim would be Baltic countries, Poland or the European Union itself. Because there are no limits for the evil that hasn’t been punished.” – says Denis Ivanov, Ukrainian producer and film distributor.
“Every second means human victims: children dying, civilians dying. The entire residential neighborhoods have already been destroyed. People have lost their entire lives. My parents are in Brody, where there are also air raids. Mum is hiding in the cellar and Dad is preparing to defend the country. My brother is also helping the army. We hope that the day of peace will come soon. And that as soon as peace comes, we will be able (through tears) to thank the whole world with our music. That we will be able to hug you all.” – says Oksana Lyniv, Ukrainian conductor.
“Hello. My name is Oleg Senzow and I am a Ukrainian director. Now I am a soldier of the Territorial Defence, which is part of the Ukrainian armed forces. I am grateful to the international community for any help to Ukraine. The whole world has already understood who Putin is, and that he is a threat to everyone. I sincerely thank you. We will win, because this is a fight for the survival of Ukraine, our people and the whole world. Thank you. Glory to Ukraine!” – says Oleg Sentsov, Ukrainian filmmaker, writer, and activist
We hope the series you are about to watch will bring encouragement and strength to our Ukrainian friends.
Slava Ukraini!
- Ai Weiwei, Chinese contemporary artist, documentarian, and activist.
- Marina Abramović, Serbian conceptual and performance artist, philanthropist, writer, and filmmaker.
- Nino Haratischwili, Georgia born German novelist, playwright, and theater director.
- Dmitrij Głuchowski, Russian author and journalist.
- Denis Ivanov, Ukrainian producer, film distributor, cultural manager.
- Oksana Lyniv, Ukrainian conductor,
- Shirin Neshat, Iranian visual artist.
- Oleg Sentsov, Ukrainian filmmaker, writer, and activist from Crimea.
- Alexander Rodnyansky, Ukrainian and Russian film director.
- Wladimir Kaminer, Russian-born German short story writer
- Daniel Hope, classical violinist and Alexej Botwinow, Ukrainian pianist from Odessa.
- Sasha Filipenko, Belarusian writer and journalist.
- Konstantin Manaev, Russian-German musician and cellist.
- Eugen vom Dach, Russian musician.
- Dudana Masmanischwili, Georgian pianist
- Jan Müller, bass player in the Hamburg-based rock band Tocotronic
