The Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago has unveiled a powerful photo exhibition titled “Courage of a Nation,” featuring more than 40 images captured by philanthropist and photographer Howard G. Buffett.
Debuting in the United States, the exhibition aims to illuminate the profound war and death that Ukrainians have faced during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, which has been ongoing for three years.
This exhibition is located at the Chicago museum at 2249 W. Superior St., showcasing photographs taken by Buffett during his trips to Ukraine from April 2022 to January 2025.
Buffett began documenting the war soon after Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, prompted by an initiative to provide a voice to the affected communities.
As the middle son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, Howard G. Buffett is no stranger to Ukraine; his first visit was in 1991, and he has returned to the country more than 20 times.
Through his organization, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, he has provided aid to various war-torn communities across Ukraine, focusing on improving the quality of life for marginalized populations.
Previously, his photographic work was displayed in a museum in Ukraine and is also part of a mobile exhibition in collaboration with Ukrainian Railways, aiming to reach even the most remote areas of the country.
Buffett collaborated with renowned photographer and National Geographic explorer Muhammed Muheisen to bring this gallery to fruition, which also includes two models designed by artist Thomas Doyle.
One model represents Saint Michael’s Square in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, while the other depicts an apartment building in Borodyanka, both inspired by Buffett’s photographs.
Although Buffett was not present at the U.S. opening of the exhibition, Muheisen spoke on his behalf during a press conference, emphasizing Buffett’s commitment to documenting the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
Muheisen expressed, “I’m a friend of Howard’s. His heart is in Ukraine. In April 2022, Howard traveled to Ukraine to document the Russian full-scale invasion.”
Alongside Muheisen at the opening were various dignitaries, including Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), Aistė Jakštienė from the Consulate General of Lithuania in Chicago, and Koledov Serhiy from the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago.
Muheisen highlighted Buffett’s mission by stating, “He made it his mission to keep documenting the horror happening in Ukraine.” Their partnership was also born out of the shared grief over the loss of mutual friend Anja Niedringhaus, an Associated Press photographer tragically killed in 2014 while covering Afghanistan.
He added a poignant reminder: “I always say this could be you. Imagine you are that mother who is carrying her child and making her way across a railway in Europe just to find a safe home. Nobody leaves their home unless they are forced to.”
The exhibition features deeply moving images, including one of a young girl looking through a hole made by a Russian missile in her school, as well as an elderly woman from Zolota Nyva who wept upon receiving humanitarian aid after enduring prolonged hardships.
The exhibition also captures harrowing scenes from the frontlines, showcasing Ukrainian military efforts, injured civilians, and the story of Ruslana Danilkina, a young woman who joined the military as a volunteer and now has a prosthetic leg.
In addition to the physical exhibition, the images are compiled in a book titled “Courage of a Nation: Three Years at War,” which is available online for free.
After its run at the Ukrainian National Museum, the photo exhibition is set to move to a downtown Chicago location, where it will remain for a minimum of 10 months.
Zachary Dmyterko, the executive director of the museum, revealed that Muheisen and Buffett specifically chose the Chicago museum for their U.S. premiere to raise consciousness not only around the war but also regarding the cultural impacts on refugees.
The exhibition aims to preserve the heritage and culture of the Ukrainian community residing in Chicago, which boasts one of the largest Ukrainian populations outside of Ukraine, with around 100,000 residents.
Following the Russian invasion in 2022, Chicago has also welcomed more than 30,000 Ukrainian refugees, underscoring the city’s significant role in supporting displaced individuals.
The exhibition and the designation of Ukrainian Village as a Cultural District aim to foster deeper connections and awareness within the broader community.
image source from：chicago
