Kharkiv, Ukraine, is approximately 4,500 miles from Montpelier, but in terms of daily life, Kharkiv might well be on another planet. It’s the second largest city in Ukraine, less than 30 miles from the Russian border and has been subjected to relentless bombing for more than four years. Residents have become accustomed to losing heat and electricity in the dead of winter, huddling in subways, listening for alerts, and trying not to hear the explosions.  Since Feb. 24, 2022, much that happens in the city has gone underground. Plays, concerts, and exhibitions are held deep within the city’s subway system.

Ishutkina reached out to the Kellogg-Hubbard Library suggesting an art exchange.The library, in turn, contacted Kristina Kane, the art teacher at Union Elementary, inviting her and her students to participate. In an email, Kane said, “When I introduced the art exchange project, some students shared that they were aware of the current war in Ukraine. They were very curious about what day-to-day life is like there now and were eager to learn about the city of Kharkiv.”