THE escalation of violence in Ukraine, following the eight years of instability, has been harrowing to observe. The devastating loss of life, the desecration of historical sites and increasing horrors, which for two nations whose history is so deeply intertwined makes the conflict all the more difficult to stomach.

Though many dismiss art and culture as a frivolous endeavour, its importance becomes all the more vital during such dark days. It can be a vessel to challenge the warmongers, it can depict the inhumanity of war, it can share tales of heroism, and most importantly humanise those we are told are the “enemy.”

For these reasons, the current weaponisation of many facets of our life show the massive ideological and humanitarian battles that we need to fight throughout Europe and the West in general.