In Odesa, the world's first art train featuring exhibition spaces focused on the war in Ukraine was unveiled.
Specially equipped cars display photographs by renowned sheriff and photographer Howard Buffett, taken during his travels across Ukraine amidst the ongoing war.
"We have achieved the unimaginable. This train is the result of extensive teamwork. I have visited Ukraine 25 times and want to thank everyone who supports this country," Buffett stated.
The event was attended by the chairman of Ukrzaliznytsia, Oleksandr Pertzovsky, alongside notable Ukrainian figures.
Buffett and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Muhammad Muheisen signed their autographs on one of the train cars.
"This project is unique because there have never been artistic trains during wartime anywhere in the world. With the support of the Howard Buffett Foundation, we revived non-passenger cars at Ukrzaliznytsia's facilities and filled them with photographs designed to touch every heart. The art train is set to travel to 63 cities over four months, though we won’t publish a specific schedule for security reasons," emphasized Oleksandr Pertzovsky.
He mentioned that it has been exactly 92 days since the idea emerged for Howard to create something special for Ukraine that has never existed before. "The art train will travel across Ukraine, reaching small communities that lack galleries and museums, bringing a bit of art and emotion," he added.
The exhibition's uniqueness lies in the fact that photographs are displayed in three specially equipped cars with lighting and musical accompaniment.
"I traveled from the east to Odesa and truly saw how exhausted people are and what peace means to them. Yet no one gives up. Ukraine will definitely prevail," Howard Buffett commented to a correspondent.
The mobile exhibition will remain in Odesa until June 17. After that, the art train will journey through Ukraine from frontline regions to the Carpathians.
Admission to the exhibition is free, but visitors can reserve a time slot for a visit without waiting in line through prior registration. To receive an electronic invitation, one must fill out a registration form on the official website.
The art train is created by Ukrzaliznytsia with the support of the Howard Buffett Foundation. The creative mind and organizer of the exhibition is photojournalist Muhammad Muheisen.
The "Art Train" will stay in Odesa until June 17.
As reported, since 2022, the Howard Buffett Foundation has allocated over $1 billion in Ukraine to support recovery efforts, including demining, humanitarian assistance, and various projects.
