An exhibition which celebrates the experiences of young Ukrainian artists is set to take place at the Manchester Central Library.
From Monday, January 26, Bridge of Sunflowers will be open to the public.
This exhibition will comprise of works created by Ukrainian artists from the city of Lviv, presenting a unique collection of works which explore the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine not only on the country itself but the people who are living through it.
Participants were supported by the Sunflower Dreams Project, which showcases the work of Ukrainian children in exhibitions across the European Union, the United Kingdom and North America.
In addition to the work created by Ukrainian artists, there will also be creative responses from Manchester school children displayed alongside their work. These pieces of art is the outcome of creative workshops run by arts charity ‘Never Such Innocence’ which has helped provide young people a voice on the subject of conflict.
This is the latest initiative which seeks to deepen the relationship between Manchester and Lviv, following on from 2024 when Manchester Libraries was twinned with the Lviv Regional Youth Library.
The exhibition will run from January 26 to February 27, and can be found on the ground floor and first floor reading room of the Manchester Central Library. At the end of its stay in Manchester, the exhibition, including some of the work of the Manchester young people, will move to the Lviv Regional Youth Library.
Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, said: “We have been an incredibly proud of our partnership with Lviv and helping to share stories around the ongoing conflict.
“We so often find that art springs forth from some of the most challenging circumstances and this exhibition is no different. It will be both a poignant and uplifting experience to see art created by these young artists whose lives have been touched by war.
“And by our own Mancunian artists contributing we will in our own way be showing solidarity with the people of Lviv and Ukraine.”