On September 5, on Sumy City Day, the Sumy National Agrarian University unveiled the mural “RAZOM / RAZEM” — a joint artistic work by Ukrainian artist Rimma Mylenkova and Polish artist Agnieszka Chzhanovska-Malysh.
The mural was created as part of the “Resilient Together – Beyond Narratives” project dedicated to Polish-Ukrainian solidarity and support for Ukraine.
In the center of the composition are hands holding threads in the colors of the Ukrainian and Polish flags. They intertwine and form a knot — an image of mutual trust, support, and connection between people and countries.
The composition also includes Sumy and Gliwice — cities associated with the authors of the work. Each of the artists added characteristic images of their city to the joint composition, combining them into one visual story.
The wall of the educational building No. 2 — next to the Garden of Knowledge — was chosen for the mural. This place already has a distinct international context: motifs of Chinese culture are presented here, trees are growing, planted by SNAU’s foreign partners during their visits, and now the space has been supplemented by a Ukrainian-Polish art project.
“The name of this mural — “Razom / Razem” — very accurately conveys what is happening between Ukraine and Poland today. This is a partnership of universities, cities and people. This is support that has concrete manifestations, and trust that is built over the years. For SNAU, it is important that international cooperation is not only on paper, but becomes a part of university life,” said SNAU Rector Ihor Kovalenko.
The mural was solemnly opened by SNAU Rector Ihor Kovalenko and Yaroslav Godun — Director of the Polish Institute in Kyiv, Counselor-Envoy of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Kyiv. The author of the mural, Ukrainian artist Rimma Milenkova, also joined the event.
The opening was attended by the student vice-rector for educational, scientific and international activities Aliona Popova, director of the NGO “Bureau Art” Vadim Dubodelov, representatives of the university and the city, teachers, students and guests.
The artistic history of the mural continues in the university gallery. In the Library Gallery, which is located in the same academic building on the basis of the Scientific Library of SNAU, an exhibition dedicated to the creation of “RAZOM / RAZEM” is presented until the end of September.
Here you can see sketches, collages and the first works of the artists and trace how the concept of the work was formed – from the initial idea to its implementation on the wall of SNAU.
Nearby is a photo exhibition by Polish photographer Sebastian Tomasz Plocharski, dedicated to Polish volunteers who support Ukraine.
“RAZOM / RAZEM” has become a new part of the university space and another result of international cooperation of SNAU. The mural will remain here as a visible symbol of the partnership between Ukraine and Poland — a partnership that continues in education, culture, joint projects, and human relationships.
