Solutions to win: Lutsk sculpture “collects” donations for Ukraine’s demining efforts through art

In Lutsk, the statue is "gathering" donations to support demining efforts in Ukraine, with over 200,000 donations received. Rubryka will tell you about the nature of this solution.

What is the problem?

The potential explosive or contaminated area of Ukraine covers approximately 174,000 square kilometers. However, exact figures cannot be provided due to the ongoing war.

Demining efforts are proceeding slowly, and due to temporary occupation, only approximately 40,000 square kilometers are currently accessible.

Furthermore, it's an incredibly costly undertaking, totaling over $37 billion, according to the World Bank. Unfortunately, the current funds available are inadequate to fully meet this demand, as the main focus is on acquiring military gear and weapons and supporting the military.

According to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, at least six million individuals live in areas at risk of mine accidents. These territories cannot be utilized for farming, building, or any other economic pursuits, resulting in injuries, fatalities, loss of livelihoods, and hindered economic growth.

What is the solution?

It is difficult to predict the exact timeframe for Ukraine's final demining. Still, steps can be taken to reduce the risk and clear out areas critical for economic activities, such as farmlands, transportation routes, bridges, factories, humanitarian sites, and residential areas.

Since the current demining efforts are far from the necessary scale, public organizations are joining this process by initiating their own projects.

One of them is "Grain" – a sculpture that "collects" donations. The initiative was launched by the "Algorithm of Actions" platform in Lutsk to assist sapper groups in obtaining essential equipment.

The platform partnered with the Come Back Alive Charity Fund in a unique approach to raising funds.

The fund is engaged in training the military and providing the Defense Forces with anti-mining equipment.

"Every day, our sappers make contaminated land safe meter by meter. They work along the entire contact line, demining de-occupied territories. They also pay special attention to the disposal of the warhead of missiles and Shahed drones that did not detonate after the attacks," the instructor for Come Back Alive at Mine Safety, Andrii Havaza, says.

How does it work?

In 2023, the GAZ art group unveiled a "Grain" sculpture in the heart of Lutsk. With its archetypal symbolism of birth and new beginnings, this striking sculpture took on a whole new depth of meaning during the full-scale war. It encouraged us to contemplate the cyclical nature of existence, the constant cycle of renewal and rebirth.

Since February 2024, the sculpture has been "gathering" donations to support the demining efforts in Ukraine. The donations will be credited to the Come Back Alive fund to purchase metal detectors and other necessary sapper equipment. This will not only assist them in carrying out their daily tasks but also protect their lives.

"Grain became even more crucial once the war in Ukraine commenced. And when it starts raising funds for practical purposes and succeeds, it's absolutely incredible! It's amazing when public art not only beautifies the square but also serves a meaningful purpose," the authors of the sculpture, Oleksiy Zolotar and Vasyl Hrubliak, say.

To donate, a person must come to the sculpture and scan the QR code on the information board. However, it is also possible to participate in charitable fundraising by visiting the "Grain" website remotely.

Through the organization and support of initiatives such as "Grain," one can expedite the demining of Ukrainian land for future generations while also preventing loss of life and allowing for the growth of Ukrainian grain on uncontaminated fields.

So far, the sculpture has already helped collect 216 thousand hryvnias.

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It should be noted that an extraordinary art project is currently taking place in Lutsk, with the potential of being recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. Petro Antyp, an acclaimed artist from Ukraine, is in the process of creating the largest painting in the world, measuring an impressive 2000 m². This ambitious project is being executed as a live performance, allowing visitors to witness its progress.