From the heart of Ukraine to the walls of Laois

Dunamaise Arts Centre is so proud and humbled to host a beautiful exhibition of artworks by Ukrainian girl Sasha Britanova-Listratenko who has found refuge in Ireland after flee her homeland which his been invade by Russia on the orders of Vladimir Putin. 

A journey of 3,000 kms from her war torn homeland to Co Laois started with a leap of faith for Sasha and her mum Iryna. The brave duo spent six nights in a bomb shelter before making their escape after getting a lift going to Ireland. 

“We travelled for five days to get here – it was a sudden decision. I was looking for the opportunity to go to an English-speaking country and I heard that there was a lift going to Ireland,” said Iryna who arrived in Ireland just over a week ago. 

They mother and daughter who is aged just seven, have left everything behind.

“I left my parents, relatives, and my husband all back in the Ukraine. They can’t leave their home, but it is not safe to stay in Ukraine- so I had to go with my daughter Sasha. I come from the East of Ukraine, and this is part of my country that is being bombed- the war started in my hometown of Kharkov, and it is being bombed every single day since.

"A lot of people have died already, including kids. We had to stay in a bomb shelter for six days and after that we were lucky to leave. When they started bombing houses, we left the city very early in the morning. We found some safe roads and drove to another part of the country where it was safe and where we heard about the lift to Ireland through the Red Cross. My parents worried about taking the lift, but we were assured that we would be safe, and this decision is what saved us,” she said. 

Iryna, who is staying with a family outside Abbeyleix, says she is still in a state of disarray since fleeing for their lives but very thankful to be here.  She had heard of Ireland through her love of U2 before taking a chance to come here.

She is a fluent English speaker as well as Primary school teacher with a master’s degree so the first thing she wants to do is to find a job teaching and accommodation for herself and Sasha. 

"I don’t feel comfortable here without a job as I don't have enough money with me so first I would like to find a job and a place to stay,” she said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Until then they have found a novel way to fundraise and give back to the Red Cross by selling prints of Sasha’s art. Sasha not only speaks English and plays the piano, but she is also an accomplished artist. 

Sasha's paintings will go on display at Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise from Friday, March 18 until April 1 and all proceeds will go to the Red Cross to support their humanitarian efforts in war torn Ukraine.

“When she was smaller, we noticed her gift for painting,” said Iryna. “She had a private teacher and has done some amazing pictures. This is a way for us to say thanks and to give back to those still in need in Ukraine."

Since their arrival, the local community has rallied around the pair since they arrived with a school place for Sasha at Raheen primary school as well as a free uniform and seat on the local bus.  

“Sasha is starting school here and I believe she will be ok as when she was only 3 years old, I took her to live in China where I worked for 5 years. She was surrounded by Chinese children at her nursery and had to learn to speak the language. She is more comfortable here in Ireland speaking English,” she said.  

Iryna still talks with her family every day since arriving in Ireland. 

“For now, they are in a safe place, and we can get in touch every day,” she said. “Sasha still cries every single day. She is only seven and she cries because her dad is staying in Ukraine. I tried to tell her that we will reunite again in the future, but nobody knows when,” she said.

Amazing refugee story that echoes Ukraine suffering to be told on Laois stage

And as for Sasha, she already sees the similarities between her home country and Ireland telling her mum that both countries have 'a lot of goodness and kind-hearted people'.

Unframed prints of Sasha’s art will be available to buy from Tuesday 21 March, from Dunamaise Arts Centre, with all proceeds going to the Irish Red Cross. To enquire, please visit her exhibition where you can order a print directly, prices start at €10 but higher donations will be gladly accepted. To purchase a print over the phone or online, Email: info@dunamaise.ie,  Tel: 057 8663355 or go to Dunamaise.ie. (Price of print may be subject to post & packaging where applicable).

Sasha's exhibition will be on display at Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise from Friday, March 18 until April 30. 

Laois Offaly town a bridge of help to Ukraine

Support group set up to help the country and refugees

Dunamaise Arts Centre wish to thank M&M Framing for kindly framing each piece in the exhibition, free of charge.