The installation 'Land — Carrier of Memory' dedicated to humanitarian demining opened in Kyiv

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the national platform Demine Ukraine, the Ivan Franko National Theatre, and with financial support from the Ukraine Community Recovery Fund, opened the audio installation "Land — Memory Carrier" in Kyiv.

The installation is dedicated to the humanitarian demining of Ukraine and the stories of people whose lives have been changed by mine contamination. Through sound, music, and personal testimonies, visitors can experience the realities of life in contaminated territories — from the fear of explosion to the joy of returning to cleared land.

"This installation is an attempt to convey through art what lies behind dry statistics. Behind every cleared hectare are human stories — about fear, about hope, about returning home. We want people who have never been to the frontline to feel and understand what mine contamination means for millions of Ukrainians," said Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.

The installation uses an innovative format of audio immersion — visitors move through several themed zones, each dedicated to a different aspect of mine contamination and demining: contamination, clearance, and new life. Each zone uses unique sound effects and real testimonies of sappers, farmers, and ordinary people.

"Art has the power to change perception. By combining technology, music, and personal stories, we created a space where every visitor can feel personally connected to the issue of demining. This is not just an exhibition — it is an emotional experience that, we hope, will inspire more people to support humanitarian demining," noted the UNDP representative.

The installation was presented at the Ivan Franko National Theatre and will be available for free public visits. It is also planned to be shown at international events and forums.

The "Land — Memory Carrier" project is part of a broader effort to use art as a tool for raising awareness and mobilising support for humanitarian demining in Ukraine. Previously, projects such as "Soul of Soil" and "Free Land Sounds" also combined art and the theme of demining.