On February 24th at 6:00 PM, the Ventspils Cultural Center will host the premiere of the documentary film “Three War Years. Ventspils.” The film, created as part of the “Video Memory” project, documents the experience of Ukrainian war refugees in Ventspils and will preserve the events of 2022–2025 for future history.
In remembrance of the lives lost due to the war initiated by Russia and reflecting on the tragic events that began three years ago for many Ukrainian families, the film screening will feature stories from both the people of Ventspils and those who have experienced the horrors of war in Ukraine.
The film is part of the “Video Memory” project, which has been implemented with co-funding from the Ventspils Municipality’s cultural project competition. The project’s aim is to preserve documentary testimonies in video format about the journey of Ukrainian war refugees living in Ventspils to Latvia, their choices, challenges, and experiences over the three years of war.
The film is based on the archive footage shot over three years by the video operators of Kurzeme Television, as well as the personal video archive of journalist and film director Gonda Porniece. These materials reveal, in chronological order, both the experiences of the people of Ventspils and the refugees, as well as the changes that these years have brought.
Since the first day of the war, the city and municipality of Ventspils have welcomed more than 1,300 Ukrainian citizens, the majority of whom were women with children. Currently, more than 400 Ukrainian civilians still live in Ventspils, and their children attend local educational institutions.
During the three years of war, humanitarian aid has been continuously sent from Ventspils to Ukraine, both to civilians and frontline soldiers. An active support group has been established in the city, which has already sent 55 vehicles in convoy to Ukraine and continues this work.
Everyone interested is invited to attend the premiere of the film “Three War Years. Ventspils” on February 24th, to commemorate the third year of the war in Ukraine caused by Russia and to learn more about the fate of the war refugees in our city.
Admission is free of charge.
