PHOTO // Moldovan parliament hosts exhibition dedicated to Ukraine’s sacred heritage destroyed by war

A documentary and photographic exhibition titled, Rebirth in Glory and Power, was inaugurated at the parliament today. The event is organized to mark the 35th anniversary of the proclamation of Ukraine’s Independence and is dedicated to churches and other sacred heritage sites of Ukraine that have been destroyed or damaged as a result of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.

The exhibition, organized by the Embassy of Ukraine in Moldova, in cooperation with the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” and the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity, presents photographs and documentary materials that reflect the scale of the destruction inflicted on Ukraine’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

At the opening of the event, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu noted that the exhibition was a sad and deeply painful one, as it reflects the atrocities committed by the Russian Federation in the neighboring state.

“Today, we are talking about approximately 800 holy sites, not only Orthodox churches, but also other places of worship. The fact that they have been destroyed by the barbarity of the Russian Federation speaks to the cynicism and, if you will, the Phariseeism of an empire that presents itself as Orthodox, but which in reality seeks to strike at faith, at the very essence of every people. What the invaders have not understood is that, through this barbaric act, they have only further strengthened a nation. We are honored to be able to host this exhibition. The images speak louder than any words and show us the scale of the destruction caused by the war. Today is an important day for Ukraine and, as friends and brothers, we say: Happy Independence Day! You have our support. We will always stand by you. Glory to Ukraine!” said Igor Grosu.

Present at the event, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan emphasized that 24 February 2022 is a date that would remain marked in black in the calendar of history, because it is the day on which an aggressor and terrorist state attacked a neighboring state.

“Things are very clear. There is no place for shades of grey. There is black and white, there is an aggressor and a victim. Just as impossible as it once seemed that this war would begin, just as hard it is for some to believe in Russia’s greedy and boundless ambitions. We must be more realistic and understand that this empire seeks continual expansion. We must have the wisdom to be resilient to these risks and not downplay them, because the risks are real. It is important to have the maturity to understand these risks and to act to protect ourselves. On 24 August 2025, my home in Kyiv was attacked. Two Iskander missiles struck approximately 50 meters from my residence, and I was gathering up shards of glass. But this was not such a great loss compared to the losses suffered by Ukrainians, whose children and family members have been killed and whose homes have been destroyed. This empire does not discriminate between military targets and civilians,” Vasile Tofan noted.

The official praised the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people, who continue to maintain their will to rebuild their country.

“Today, Ukraine marks its Independence Day. I am very glad that every time a warehouse, a factory, a house or any other building is destroyed in Ukraine, people do not give up. They say: we will rebuild the country, we will emerge victorious, we will endure. I admire the resilience, courage and will of the Ukrainian people to rebuild their country. I am convinced that they will succeed and that, in the end, Ukraine will be richer and more beautiful. We are very grateful for what you are doing, because by defending Ukraine you are also defending our independence,” Vasile Tofan added.

In his speech, Ambassador of Ukraine to Moldova Paun Rohovei, stressed that 35 years ago the Ukrainian people chosen their own statehood, freedom and the right to determine their future independently.

“Today, the word ‘independence’ has a completely different resonance for Ukrainians. Independence has a price, and Ukraine pays this price every day. Today we understand better than ever a simple but painful truth: independence is not a gift. It must be protected, strengthened and, when history demands it, defended with weapons in hand. We, the Ukrainians, have realized and must clearly understand that Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine is not just a war for territory. It is an attempt to destroy Ukrainian statehood, to erase our historical memory and to deprive us of our language, culture and identity. That is precisely why Russian missiles and drones destroy not only military targets. They strike homes and residential buildings, schools, universities, museums, libraries and theatres. It is clear proof that the criminal regime in Moscow is seeking the destruction of a nation. And, even more gravely, this regime is destroying faith itself, Ukrainian churches, cathedrals and places of worship. This is exactly what the exhibition we are opening today in parliament is about,” said Paun Rohovei.

The ambassador added that, through attacks on churches, Russia seeks to destroy not only cultural heritage, but also the historical memory that defines the Ukrainian people.

“We know the price of our freedom; we know what we are fighting for and we know how we want to see Ukraine after victory: a strong, democratic, European and dignified state. And when we rebuild what was destroyed by Russia, when our churches rise again from the ruins, they will not be only monuments of the tragedy we have endured. They will become symbols of the fact that Ukraine can be wounded, but cannot be defeated. This is the strength of our independence, this is the strength of Ukraine and of the Ukrainian nation,” said Paun Rohovei.

He pointed out that the Russian aggression against Ukraine does not recognize borders, whether in the form of Russian drones or of hybrid warfare and all forms of interference manifested through Kremlin’s propaganda and aggressive narratives.

“I want to express my thanks and gratitude to Moldova, which, from the very first days of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, stood by us, offering support and showing unprecedented solidarity in our bilateral relations. In these years of independence, I believe we have all come to understand that Ukraine and Moldova are united not only by borders and common interests. We are united by our aspiration to live in free European states, by the right of our peoples to determine their own future, and by the understanding that peace, democracy and freedom cannot be taken for granted. Today, Ukraine and Moldova are moving together toward our common European future. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Moldova!” Paun Rohovei concluded.

Ukraine today marks the 35th anniversary of the proclamation of its Independence, amid the war unleashed by the Russian Federation. On this day, President Maia Sandu is paying a visit to Kyiv, where European leaders are gathering to reaffirm their support for the Ukrainian people.