Ukrainian athletes as superheroes: artworks display in France at Consular festival

Consulates from many nations and diaspora organisations in the region traditionally presented their countries' cultures and sports. The Lyon-Ukraine Association presented the Ukrainian pavilion with an exhibition of art posters featuring prominent Ukrainian athletes. 

Ukraine was also represented by the hopak dance performed by Ukrainian refugee boys.

A series of artworks named "Ukraine - Country of Heroes", produced by UnderDogUA, showcases prominent Ukrainian athletes, including Olympic champions, as superheroes.

Volodymyr Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk, Zhan Beleniuk, Anzhelika Terliuga, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Andriy Shevchenko, Daria Bilodid, and Elina Svitolina are among the sportsmen shown on the posters. The athletes' presentation also highlighted their contributions to assisting the Ukrainian people during the ongoing war with Russia.

Interestingly, the superhero artworks were produced by artificial intelligence software. This is how the AI perceives Ukrainians. And the UnderDog artists have added a final touch and perfection to the works.

The Consular festival was held on the large Place Bellecour in Lyon's centre, where all participants - consulates and diasporas - had their pavilion. Thousands of visitors came to the stands to learn more about each of the countries represented and their cultures and sports. Pierre Olivier, Mayor of Lyon's Second District, also paid a visit to the Ukrainian stand. 

A group of young Ukrainians danced the hopak to the famous song "Oh, the red viburnum in the Meadow" on the event stage. All of the boys are Ukrainians, ages 6 to 17, refugees who were forced to flee their homes after Russia began the full-scale war.

They trained under the guidance of choreographer Anastasia Bushtruk. The group was accompanied by Mykola Cusin, a local Ukrainian community leader, dressed as a cossack.