Ukraine Ambassador visits Limerick Museum

  • Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine, Cllr Kieran O'Hanoln, Deputy Mayor of Limerick City and County, Dr Matthew Potter, Limerick Museum, Maurice Quillinan, curator of the exhibition, Senator Maria Byrne and Damian Brady, Limerick City and County Council. Picture: Keith Wiseman
Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine, Cllr Kieran O'Hanlon, Deputy Mayor of Limerick City and County, Dr Matthew Potter, Limerick Museum, Maurice Quillinan, Senator Maria Byrne and Damian Brady, Limerick City and County Council. Pic Keith Wiseman

On 19 January 2023, Her Excellency Ms Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine visited Limerick Museum, where she performed the official opening of Shelter, an exhibition of children’s drawings from Ukrainian bomb shelters. 

The opening ceremony drew a large crowd, including many from the local Ukrainian community. 

Curator Dr Matthew Potter greeted Ambassador Gerasko in Ukrainian: ‘laskayo prosymo do Muzeyu Limeryka’, meaning ‘welcome to Limerick Museum’. Councillor Kieran O’Hanlon, Deputy Mayor of the City and County of Limerick spoke of the natural affinity that Ireland has with Ukraine due to the historic and cultural parallels between the two countries. He thanked the Ambassador for sharing this collection of children’s drawings with the people of Limerick. In reply, she spoke of the terrible suffering that the Ukrainian nation has undergone over the past twelve months and thanked the people of Limerick for their support.

Curated by Maurice Quillinan, Shelter is a deeply moving exhibition. Drawing is a child’s first response to any situation, be it happy or sad and these drawings convey the anguish of lives uprooted, families uprooted and a whole country uprooted. They are visceral in nature but also tender in emotion.  

Deputy Mayor O’Hanlon said ‘It is not often that an art exhibition tugs at the heartstrings in such a profound manner. Only a heart of stone could remain indifferent to these drawings produced by innocent victims of cruelty and aggression.’  

Dr Matthew Potter said ‘Limerick Museum is honoured to host Shelter, one of the most poignant and significant exhibitions that Limerick has seen for many years. Shelter will continue until Saturday 4 February. We are open Monday to Friday 10.00am to 5.00pm and Saturday 10.00am to 1.00 pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Admission is free.’ 

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