Ten Ukrainian students from western Ukraine have captured their hopes for the future through art during a week-long painting workshop in Saarbrücken, Germany. Their artwork tells powerful stories of longing, strength, and the desire for a life without war, offering glimpses into the experiences of young people growing up amid ongoing conflict.
One of the most striking pieces comes from 15-year-old Andriana from Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine. Her painting depicts a man returning after a long separation, falling into his wife's arms - a scene filled with longing that represents the dream of many people in her homeland: reuniting with loved ones and seeing an end to the war.
The students embarked on an arduous 26-hour bus journey to reach Saarbrücken for this special artistic exchange. They were invited by Pastor Thomas Hufschmidt from the eli.ja youth church, who had met the students during a trip to Ukraine the previous year. Wanting to continue the relationship, he brought them to Saarbrücken to paint alongside German teenagers.
For Pastor Hufschmidt, the project held deeper significance. He wanted to show the young people that borders can be overcome and that peace can grow, especially in a region like Saarland that has its own history of conflicts and reconciliation. The initiative aimed to demonstrate how art can bridge cultural divides and foster understanding between young people from different backgrounds.
The week in Saarbrücken provided a welcome break from daily life in a war zone for the girls. However, their artwork continued to reflect their experiences and emotions from home. "We want peace, we want the war to stop" - this message runs through many of their works. For some students, painting became a way to make their fears visible, while for others, it offered a brief respite from the constant stream of news they follow even while abroad.
Sixteen-year-old Sophia described how she could feel the lightness of people in Saarbrücken - the laughing, singing, and dancing that seems impossible back home. Yet she remained restless, unable to let go of thoughts about her homeland. This tension between temporary peace and persistent worry colored much of the students' work during their stay.
The students were housed with host families who had responded to a social media call from the local community. Beyond their artistic work, the program included educational trips to Trier, Metz, and Luxembourg. The architecture of these historic cities particularly impressed many of the students, who could be seen carefully photographing and sketching the buildings they encountered.
The workshop was guided by artist Uwe Appold, who emphasized art's special power to bring people together in conversation and build bridges between cultures. For Appold, art serves not only as a means of expression but also as a form of personal development - a space where young people learn to make their thoughts visible and share them with others. He noted that this process worked particularly well in Saarbrücken.
The artworks created during the workshop are rich with symbolism, ranging from scenes of separated families reuniting to images of destruction and hope. They reflect the reality of young people growing up with war while still dreaming of a future without violence. One student expressed it simply: she wishes for Ukrainians to remain strong and become even stronger in the face of adversity.
The paintings remain on display at the eli.ja youth church in Saarbrücken until October 12th, serving as a testament to creativity, cross-cultural encounter, and the universal desire for peace. The exhibition stands as a powerful reminder of how art can give voice to the experiences of young people caught in the midst of global conflict while fostering hope for a better future.
