Could art be created in distant Siberia? In such dramatic circumstances – far from home, in the face of death and suffering – was it possible to preserve the need for beauty and hope?

The participants of today’s event devoted to the work of exiles sought answers to these and many other questions. They had a unique opportunity to see unique exhibits – mainly drawings and sketches, which are usually kept in museum storerooms. They were created in the difficult conditions of exile – often using the simplest, random materials – pieces of paper, scraps of fabric or charcoal. Despite hunger, cold and exhausting work, the exiles tried to save themselves – for many, art and the need to document their stay in an inhuman land became their salvation.

The special guest was Finnish artist Juhana Moisander, who is currently residing at the Sybir Memorial Museum as part of the Art of Remembrance project. The purpose of his stay is to create a work inspired by local history, archives, residents’ stories and the exhibition space. The artist told the participants about what inspired him to create his work during his stay at the Museum.

”When I heard about the Art of Remembrance project, I became interested in it and discovered very strong links between the history of the Finns and the Poles. After my last visit to Białystok in the summer, I began to study books and archival materials to learn more about this local Polish history. Visiting the museum again, I listened to an excerpt from the memoirs of a little boy who remembered the sound of a train travelling along the tracks from his journey. In his memory, it turned into the word mother, mother, mother… The word “mother” in Finnish means “journey”. This amazing connection became one of the inspirations for my work”, said the artist.

Participants of the event also had the opportunity to listen to recordings of accounts by Sybiraks – one of them was the testimony of the boy mentioned by Juhana Moisander. The meeting became a moving lesson in the power of the spirit and a reflection on human sensitivity, which in inhuman conditions can prove to be the greatest source of hope.

The Art of Remembrance project was co-financed by the European Union. For more information about the project, visit: www.art-of-remembrance.eu.