Chisinau’s War Up Close VR Exhibition Launched
The National History Museum of Moldova has unveiled a virtual reality exhibition that explores the devastating aftermath of the war in Ukraine using panoramic pictures and artefacts from the battlefield.
In order to preserve the memory of this catastrophe and act as a warning to stop it from happening again in Ukraine or anywhere else, the exhibition, named “War Up Close,” attempts to provide an authentic visual description of the situation in Ukraine. The initiative’s organiser of the exhibition, Sophia Bilenko, stressed that in addition to documenting the continuing struggle, it also fights lies and misinformation that hide the actual scope of the pain and damage imposed on Ukraine.
The project team has been diligently recording crimes against humanity and Ukraine. Bilenko emphasised that throughout the last two years, frequent trips to Ukrainian frontline fighters had become an expected component of their duties. Throughout an effort to crush the spirit of resistance, artefacts dubbed the “fruits of war,” like guns and other objects left behind by the invaders, have been brought to the exhibition to depict the fear and panic being seeded throughout Ukraine.
Russian troops have been targeting residential neighbourhoods, cultural institutions, and civilian infrastructure from the beginning of the conflict, according to Brigitta Triebel, head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s Office in Moldova. Photographs from the exhibition’s pre- and post-war scenes provide a striking contrast that highlights the devastation caused by Russian assault. Triebel emphasised that Ukrainians are fighting not just for their nation but also for Germany, the European Union, Moldova, and the fundamental values of freedom and democracy. She expressed the hope that a significant number of people would see the exhibition and that this would aid in the dissemination of the truth about the conflict.
The National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova’s president, Dmitro Lekartsev, commented on the exhibition’s importance for all Ukrainians, pointing out that it really depicts the terrible reality of conflict they live with every day. The project effectively communicates the depth of the losses and devastation brought about by the Russian Federation’s aggression by using contemporary technology. The show offers a glimpse into the often overlooked or undervalued everyday lives of Ukrainians. It is a sobering reminder that everyone is affected by this conflict.
The History Museum’s director, Eugen Sava, emphasised the value of these kinds of gatherings, especially in light of the integration of contemporary technology, which is quickly becoming necessary for all museums, including those in Moldova. He underlined how important it is to teach the next generation about the need to denounce and stop the continuation of such crimes via exhibits like this one.
The show, which is partnered with the Moldovan office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, is scheduled to run until November 20.
