An exhibition “(Un)Cornered” by photographer Yulia Wimmerlin has opened in Strasbourg, making you think about the depth of human destinies, female strength, and vulnerability. The project, implemented with the support of the USB Association, brought together the stories of Ukrainian women who found themselves in Switzerland because of the war.
“I am very grateful to everyone who made the start of this project possible,” said Yulia Wimmerlin during the opening of the exhibition at the Council of Europe. “I would like to express my special gratitude to the Association, which not only supported the initiative, but also actively works on the integration of Ukrainians into Swiss society.” By the way, the exhibition was created thanks to the collaboration of the photographer with USB and was first unveiled in Bern in June 2023.
Photos that speak louder than words
The pictures show the faces of women who are “as if cornered.” But behind this visual impression lies something else: strength, determination, and care. “They don’t give up. They live, they take care of their children and their families. They are Ukrainian women who find themselves in distant Switzerland,” emphasizes Borys Tarasyuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe. The exhibition not only documents personal experiences, it opens up space for dialogue about the importance of education for refugee children, the importance of women’s solidarity, motherhood in exile, and the preservation of cultural identity.
A uniting trauma and an accepting society
“The exhibition is very impressive. It reminds us that being a refugee is not a choice, but a consequence of trauma,” the participants share their impressions. They are convinced that Swiss society should be ready not only to accept but also to actively integrate refugees. Although the war is not over yet, there is already a circulation: some refugees are returning, others are just arriving. But overall, the situation remains stable, and the reception of Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland is considered a successful example of humane policy.
🎙 This project is not just an exhibition. It is a space for compassion, understanding, and support. It is the voices of those who did not break, and a testament to how difficult times can be lived with dignity.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlBS3OW0xSI&ab_channel=UkraineSchweizBern
