The exhibition emphasizes the Ukrainians' experiences

The Ukrainians who were looking for refuge after their country's invasion of their country have used a photo exhibition to show how they adapted to their new life.

The exhibition is on tour libraries in North Yorkshire and shows families who have found a refuge in the county.

It was the idea of Roman Pronyszyn, the coordinator of the Ukrainian Community in Richmondshire, who had seen a similar project at the University of York.

“We believe that the more people know, the better they understand and the more inviting they become,” said Pronyszyn.

The exhibition, financed by the North Yorkshire Council, was produced in collaboration with Helping Hearts North Yorkshire and the Richmondshire Refugee Support Group.

Mr. Pronyszyn said: “This project explains what happened to people and why these people are here.

“Many have now founded jobs since his arrival and some have founded their own shops – for example, we have a café owner and a consultant in the Friarage Hospital – and everyone has followed their mark.”

In the exhibition, the former lawyer Iryna Oliinyk, who is now working as a customer reaction assistant in the Council's health and adult services.

“I had a good life in Ukraine with my husband and daughter,” recalled Ms. Oliinyk.

“Everything changed. We had to move abroad to protect my daughter.”

Ms. Oliinyk said she was very grateful to her sponsor Angela, who met her online, before she was able to spend the night of the British houses for the Ukraine program in her house.

She said she would like to return to Ukraine at some point, but knows that life would not be the same.

“I understand that I can't have the same life as before.

“I have to start right from the start. I lost my job, I lost my friends, all of whom are abroad. I have nothing except for my husband, so it will be another challenge, but it is what it is.”

Yana Drapak from Donetsk left Ukraine in 2023 and is now an English teacher of the Council.

Her family lived under the Russian occupation before moving to Kyiv, the country left to North Yorkshire when the “constant bombing” became too much.

“It was a really difficult decision to go, especially if you didn't know what her life would look like,” she said.

“It was great to discover that there were a number of ways here, not only for me, but also for my husband, who is a photographer.

“We found friends and live in a beautiful community, so it was great.”

The executive member of the Council for Art and Culture Simon Myers said that it was important for libraries to organize exhibitions like this.

“We see the war in Ukraine on our television, but this exhibition gives us the opportunity to stand and think about the effects on the population through its mighty words and photos.

“It is only right that we play our role in supporting the victims of conflicts. Therefore, it was a privilege to meet those who now describe North Yorkshire their home and how they were greeted by our residents.”

The council member Caroline Dickinson visited the exhibition when she was in Northallerton and said it was “wonderful” to see how refugees were welcomed in cities and villages throughout the district.

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