The Embassy of Ukraine in Botswana hosted the official opening of the exhibition “Icons on Ammunition Boxes” on Monday, 24 November 2025, at the Gallery of the Botswana National Museum. Dress code for the opening event was white,symbolising peace, hope, and the collective longing for an end to violence. The exhibition was open and free to the public until Friday, 28 November 2025.
“Icons on Ammunition Boxes” presents a moving collection of contemporary sacred Ukrainian art painted on reclaimed wooden ammunition boxes sourced directly from the frontlines of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Conceived by Kyiv artists Sofiia Atlantova, Oleksandr and Herman Klymenko, the project transforms objects once used to hold lethal weapons into images of protection, remembrance, and spiritual resilience.
The opening event also included an immersive VR experience, offering visitors a solemn encounter with the stark reality of war. Through reconstructed imagery of Ukrainian cities before and after bombardment, the experience provideda powerful visual narrative of destruction, loss, and enduring human resilience, serving as both testimony and remembrance.
The opening event was honoured by the presence ofArchimandrite Prof. Cyril Hovorun, a leading Ukrainian Orthodox theologian and scholar. In his remarks, he spoke to the deep human cost of the war:
“These icons remind us that the tragedy of war is not measured only in damaged buildings, but in the devastated lives of the innocent – especially children who have suffered unimaginable crimes and abuses. This exhibition invites us not only to witness the beauty of Ukrainian creativity, but also to remember what has been lost, what must be protected, and what the world must never ignore.”
By painting traditional religious icons on the lids and fragments of ammunition crates, the artists create visual prayers for peace, transforming instruments of destruction into symbols of endurance. Each piece stands as a silent witness to the conflict – bridging the harsh realities of wartime materials with the centuries-old spiritual lineage of Ukrainian iconography.
Speaking at the opening, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Botswana, His Excellency Dr. Oleksiy Syvak, emphasised the profound symbolism of the exhibition: “This collection reminds us that even in times of great hardship, the human spirit seeks light. By transforming the remnants of war into sacred imagery, these artists reclaim dignity and hope. We are honoured to share this work with the people of Botswana, whose solidarity with the Ukrainian people continues to reaffirm our belief in a future defined not by conflict, but by peace.”
The Embassy of Ukraine extends its sincere appreciation to the Botswana National Museum for hosting this important cultural presentation.
