Art Difilade: Reclaiming Identity Through Art
“I began to truly see the connections between Ukrainian and Lithuanian art. I realized how little we know about Ukrainian art — even ourselves — and how unfamiliar Lithuanian art still is to many. So I decided to bring them together.”
— Iryna Bila, historian, cultural bridge-builder, and founder of the Art Difilade marathon
What happens when identity, art, and resilience converge in times of war and displacement?
Art Difilade is more than just a project — it is a bold cultural response to one of the most painful chapters in modern European history.
Launched by historian Iryna Bila as part of the Ukreate Hub Grants Program, this educational art marathon offered Lithuanians and Ukrainians a unique space for reflection, healing, and shared cultural discovery.
8 Cities. Countless Connections. One Story.
Across eight live workshops held throughout Lithuania — from Vilnius to Klaipėda — participants explored the lives and works of Ukrainian and Lithuanian artists who used creativity as resistance and identity-building.
From Taras Shevchenko and Kazimir Malevich to Marce Katiliūtė and Vytautas Kairiūkštis, the program brought iconic voices into dialogue — revealing striking common ground and igniting new conversations.
The Impact
- Deep emotional resonance
- A renewed sense of cultural roots
- A powerful reminder: we are not alone — we are part of something greater
This is about reclaiming identity through expression. Breaking through silence with creativity. Building cultural bridges — not walls.
Watch the video
Meet the people
Feel the energy
Art doesn’t just reflect history — it shapes it.
Video by: Yulia Dovha