"With the outbreak of the Russian war in Ukraine, the value of freedom for Ukrainians has taken on the taste of salt. It is the salt of the tears shed by those who mourn, having lost it while being occupied. The salt of the sweat of those who fight every day on the battlefield for Ukraine's freedom. The salt of the tears of those who mourn the victims. In every human body there is the salt of freedom, just as every nation has its own story of gaining freedom. But today Ukrainians have made this salt crystal clear for others," says advance publicity material.
Kalashnikova herself comes from Donbas region, where rock salt is the second largest mining industry after coal. Therefore, in 'The Salt of Freedom' Daria Kalashnikova uses materials that have a deep emotional connection with her homeland – salt and gypsum.
Now living in Riga, the artist encourages residents of Latvia to share their stories of gaining freedom, defending it, and the hardships they experienced along the way. Stories about what Freedom means to you can be submitted in any language by filling in the form located HERE.
The stories will form the basis of a performance which will take place in Riga on August 24-29 as part of the
cultural project 'Ukraine. Residence of Freedom'. On August 28 and 29, all created works will be presented at an "open vernissage and curatorial tour", and in the evening there will be "closed gastronomic performances with a charity online auction."
The project aims at creative cooperation and joint reflection on the concept of Freedom, strengthening cultural ties between Ukraine and Latvia, as well as helping Ukrainians during a full-scale war. The venue is Riga City Council.
