Kyiv Monuments Brought to Life Through Poetry and Light in Spanish Artist’s Performance

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:41:00 +0200

Three prominent monuments in Kyiv—the statues of Volodymyr the Great in Volodymyrska Hill Park, Bohdan Khmelnytsky on Sophia Square, and Hryhorii Skovoroda at Kontraktova Square—were illuminated and equipped with sound performances for the art project 'Phantom Poetry' by Spanish artist Pablo Valbuena. The installation featured the voices of eleven Ukrainian poets, who contributed around forty poems reflecting experiences of war and resilience since 2014. Curated by Ukrainian poet and translator Ostap Slyvynskyi, the project highlighted intimate, reflective poetry, creating a striking contrast by making private emotions publicly audible in urban spaces. Valbuena, known for blending digital light and sound, reimagined the project after visiting de-occupied areas of Kyiv, choosing to focus on recovery and cultural preservation rather than destruction. The performance ran from November 10–12, 2023, and included live outdoor readings by participating poets. This initiative was supported by