Art on Wheels: A New Perspective on the War in Ukraine
In Odesa, an innovative train-gallery dedicated to the war in Ukraine has been unveiled, marking the first of its kind in the world.
Specially adapted carriages feature photographs by Howard Buffett, a former sheriff, capturing moments from his travels across Ukraine during the ongoing conflict.
"This is a remarkable achievement. This train is the result of collaborative efforts by many individuals who worked on this project. I have visited Ukraine 25 times and am grateful to everyone supporting this country," Buffett emphasized.
Present at the opening were Alexander Perczovsky, head of the board of JSC «Ukrzaliznytsia», along with other prominent Ukrainian figures.
Howard Buffett and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Muhammad Muheisen signed one of the train carriages.
"This project is unique because there have never been art trains during wartime. With the help of the Howard Buffett Foundation, we have revived carriages that were not used for passenger transport and filled them with images that touch the heart. The art train plans to visit 63 cities over four months, but we will not publish a detailed schedule for safety reasons and will consider the situation in each region," Perczovsky noted.
He also shared that the idea from Howard to create something special for Ukraine emerged 92 days ago. "The art train will travel throughout Ukraine, reaching small communities without galleries or museums, bringing a bit of art and emotions," he added.
The exhibition is remarkable as the photographs are displayed in three specially equipped carriages with lighting and musical accompaniment.
"I traveled from east to Odesa and saw how weary people are waiting for peace. Yet, none are giving up. I am confident that Ukraine will prevail," Howard Buffett stated in an interview.
The mobile exhibition will remain in Odesa until June 17 inclusively, after which the art train will continue its journey across Ukraine, from frontline regions to the Carpathians.
Admission to the exhibition is free, and visitors can register in advance for a timed visit to avoid queues. To receive an electronic invitation, one must fill out a registration form on the official website.
This artistic project is implemented by Ukrzaliznytsia with the support of the Howard Buffett Foundation. The creative ideologist and organizer of the exhibition is photojournalist and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Muhammad Muheisen.
The train will remain in Odesa until June 17 inclusively.
It was reported that since 2022, the Howard Buffett Foundation has allocated over 1 billion dollars in Ukraine to support recovery efforts, including demining, humanitarian aid, prosthetics, child programs, investigation of war crimes, agriculture, public safety, critical infrastructure, and projects that tell the truth about the war and strengthen Ukrainian communities.
