TALLINN, Estonia – As Mother’s Day approaches on May 11, the Estonian Parliament has opened its doors to a deeply moving exhibition that pays tribute to Ukrainian mothers who have lost their sons in Russia’s war against Ukraine – a project born from the vision and determination of Vira Konyk, President of the Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia.
The exhibition, launched through a joint initiative by Free Mariupol society and the Open Estonia Foundation, was led by Konyk. Her goal is to ensure the pain and dignity of Ukraine’s grieving mothers are neither overlooked nor forgotten in the clattering noise of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
The opening ceremony saw local lawmakers, journalists, Ukrainian diplomats, and members of both the Ukrainian and Estonian communities attend the solemn event.
Speaker of the Estonian Parliament Lauri Hussar officially opened the exhibition, calling it “one of the most heartbreaking displays ever held in the parliament’s gallery.”
The exhibition features portraits of Ukrainian women whose sons were killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“Russia’s genocide against Ukraine is both cruel and unjust. While we cannot ease the pain of Ukrainian mothers, we can do everything in our power to bring back the children abducted by Russia — and ensure the aggressor is held accountable,” Hussar said.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Estonia, Maksym Kononenko, also spoke at the event, thanking Estonia for its continued and wide-ranging support of Ukraine.
Joining remotely, photographer Svitlana Korabliova — the author of the portraits — shared that all the women in the exhibition continue to volunteer despite their grief.
“She wished that no mother would ever have to spend Mother’s Day alone again,” Konyk said.
Nataliia Lohozynska, founder and head of Free Mariupol, expressed gratitude to Estonian partners for their “sincere and heartfelt support of Ukrainian war refugees and their help in making this exhibition possible.”
Photos: Erik Peinar
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