LEGO is creating models of popular Ukrainian sites to raise funds for post-war reconstruction

Ukrainian fundraising platform UNITED24 brings LEGO creators worldwide to launch the #LEGOwithUKRAINE initiative, promoting Ukraine's architectural legacy and helping rebuild the country.

Right now, there are 5 copies of each unique set. They will be raffled off among those who donate $24 or more towards the reconstruction of Ukraine before November 28, 2023.

"Millions of people around the world help Ukraine every day: donate funds, support refugees, fight Russian propaganda on social networks. The vast majority of them have never been to Ukraine. Therefore, the # LEGOwithUKRAINE project provides an opportunity to learn more about our country and its diversity. While at a distance.

We are grateful to the LEGO community of creators who supported this idea, and we encourage talented people from all over the world to recreate Ukrainian sights from LEGO. We plan to release the next designers in the spring of 2024," said UNITED24 platform coordinator Yaroslava Gres.

The first part of the project presents the works of three talented creators from Poland, Ukraine, and the USA. The artists portrayed the Kyiv Motherland statue, the Crimean Swallow's Nest, and the Mariupol old water tower.

"I started playing around with LEGO in 1998, when I was given the first set. I did a lot of things throughout my life, but nothing was as interesting and constant to me as creating buildings from LEGO. For the UNITED24 project, I chose Swallow's Nest, because for me it is associated with the Crimea and evokes pleasant memories of vacations with my family on the peninsula.

This is a longing for our, Ukrainian Crimea. The UNITED24 initiative is an incredible chance to help in rebuilding the country, as well as to remind that the temporarily occupied territories will be liberated," says Arthur Samkov, author of the Swallow's Nest model.

"LEGO is the embodiment of fantasy in the real world. I once recreated Kyiv's Independence Square with more than 55,000 details. LEGO is also about communities and bringing people together. For example, together with internally displaced persons from the eastern regions of Ukraine, we recreated the coat of arms of Mariupol from 115,000 details.

I am pleased to join the UNITED24 initiative and present the sculpture. I am sure that many Ukrainians and foreigners will recognize it immediately," commented on the launch of the initiative Maxim Mityakin, co-founder and administrator of the UkrBricks community, recognized by LEGO.

"The tower, erected in Mariupol in 1910, witnessed many changes in the city. During the creation of the model, I faced many technical and emotional challenges. Each brick brought memories – the noise of children's games near its walls, the joyful and sad moments of city life.

I tried to show every detail, knowing that for many the tower is a symbol of their home. I hope those who take this set in their hands will feel the courage and endurance of Mariupol," Evgenii Tonev, product designer at a medical startup, shared his vision of the model.

You can find more information on the initiative here.