Journey of Escape from war-torn Ukraine

Liverpool Cathedral will host a poignant new art installation that depicts the one-way journey of escape from war-torn Ukraine that has been taken by so many since the full-scale Russian invasion began.

Journey of Escape from war-torn Ukraine

Izyum to Liverpool, by Ukrainian artist Katya Buchatska, was commissioned as part of the EuroFestival celebrations as Liverpool hosts the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest – a reminder of why the contest is being held in Liverpool instead of Ukraine.

The piece is a multi-channel video installation. Filmed in real-time, this is an extraordinary window into the journey of escape many Ukrainians have taken.

Artist Katya said:

“For many, the train is the only means to escape war. Railway workers are considered heroes, risking their lives to help people travel out of the country.

“It is about the war in Ukraine. It is about something that can happen anywhere. Normal life can be changed in just one moment. This work is about the loss of certainties. A one-way journey provoking a shift in the state of mind. Even if you are in a safe environment farther away from the front line, this feeling of loss and uncertainty stays with you.”

Filmed in real-time on a 24-hour rail journey from Izyum in Eastern Ukraine to the border with Poland, the multi-channel video installation gives visitors a sense of travelling on a train carriage out of Ukraine.

Illustrating just how quickly normal life can change, Izyum to Liverpool shines a light on liberated Ukrainian cities, where buildings have been destroyed by bomb shelling and artillery fire, as well as offering views of apparently stiller Western cities. The incredibly moving artwork pays homage to the spirit and resilience of the Ukrainian people.

The Dean of Liverpool, The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, said:

“It’s a huge honour for the city of Liverpool to be hosting The Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine and we’re looking forward to showcasing such a poignant Ukrainian artwork at Liverpool Cathedral during EuroFestival.

“We’re extremely grateful to Katya Buchatska, who is based in Kyiv, for this powerful reminder of why the event is happening in Liverpool. I would like to encourage visitors to take a moment for quiet contemplation as we reflect on the plight of the Ukrainian people.”

Available From 28 April to May 19 inside the cathedral. Please note on certain dates, there will be limited or no access to the installation.

For more information about Izyum to Liverpool and the wider events programme at Liverpool Cathedral, click here.