"Testament of Bucha"

Hi everyone, my name is Oleksandr Shpak. I'm a ballet dancer at the State Ballet of Berlin and one of the organizers for "Testament of Bucha" project.

On the 24th of February 2022, Russian Federation began a brutal war of extermination in my homeland Ukraine.

There are now strong enough words to express all the terrifying feelings of fear, anger and helplessness that humans go through in my place. From day one, I've been getting all the horror news, not only from the official media but also directly from my friends and family. Hearing bombs explosions in the background while talking with my mother on the phone, seeing photos of destroyed houses in my old neighborhood sent to my WhatsApp from childhood friends…

But all my pain is nothing compared to the everyday lives of thousands and thousands of Ukrainian women, men and children, with their horrific and irreparable life stories, forever rudely rewritten by Russian invaders.

My friend and colleague Andriy Radnyuk, from the first days of the war, joined the territorial defense of Kyiv to protect his family and his hometown. So when he told me about his "Testament of Bucha" project, I decided to do everything possible to help him make it happen!

Andriy’s squad was one of the first to enter the city of Bucha (Kyiv region) after its liberation. The nightmare of the ruined city he saw, and the heartbreaking stories about the inhuman cruelty of the Russian occupiers, which he heard from the town's inhabitants, inspired him and his comrade Roman Smenyshyn-Braesku to this project - “Testament of Bucha.”

In the photo is Andriy in Bucha

Project background:

Project description:

How it will look:

Project objectives:

This project, I think, should show the tragedy of Bucha, Ukraine (or any other country which is at war) to the world through the example of a young guy - Evgeny Mishchenko, who instantly lost his mother and fourteen-year-old sister. It should be a call to action to all humanity to help Ukraine to win this war, to protect its women, men and children and perhaps not only their own.

I believe that projects like this can make a difference. Therefore, if you are not indifferent to the fate of Ukraine, if you want such stories as the story of Yevgeny and his relatives to stop happening to Ukrainians every day, then please, support this project.

Despite the tremendous support, which allowed the project to develop to its current state without finances, in its last phase, unfortunately, spending can't be avoided, such as:

(The car and organizers from Ukraine- 4 people / Kyiv-Berlin-Kyiv)

(organizers from Ukraine in Berlin: a place to stay, food, public transport costs)

(Due to the fear of acts of vandalism to the exhibit, it should be guarded 24/7)

(It is good if the exhibition will find the place but it's also essential the people get to know about it, so we plan to do paid advertising on Social media as well flyers, posters etc.)

(you never know what can come on top)

If we collect more donations than specified, they will be used for further "Testament of Bucha" exhibitions. After Berlin, we plan to tour other European capitals. Or they will be used for humanitarian aid to Ukraine

With hope for your support, sincerely yours,

Oleksandr Shpak and all involved