The world was left devastated on the 24th of February when Russia attacked Ukraine with a mission to invade. Since then, people from around the world have been looking for ways to help those affected by the conflict. One event that caught our attention was a creative performance organized by a group of university students who chose to show their support through art.
On the 4th of March, students of Polimoda Fashion Institute in Florence, Italy, gathered in the front yard of their Manifattura Tabacchi campus to show their support by sending a message of peace and creating an art installation. This event was organized by Mobina M, an Iranian first-year Fashion Design student who wanted to give her generation the opportunity to address the oppression and injustice that afflicts Ukraine and other countries of the world.
“I come from a place with a lot of difficulties and injustices, so it was tough for me to see that happening today also in a European country.” Mobina described her motivations behind organizing the event. “I saw this as an opportunity to show what is happening in the Middle East and everywhere in the world and talk about it because normally people don’t always know about these things.” She continued. Emphasizing that this event is organized to advocate and show support to all countries that might be struggling and facing political hardship.
When asked why the decision to show her support through art, Mobina answered that it was her way of speaking up and taking action. Saying that in Iran, many people use their art to address political issues, this approach felt natural. “The aim of this installation is not to stop the war. Unfortunately, we can’t do that. But we can gather awareness and create something that hopefully can make a difference.” Mobina explained.
“It is important to speak up now that we have a chance.”
Many students took part in the event, and some teachers even cancelled their classes that day to join their students and work beside them on this installation. Mobina noted that Polimoda had helped a great deal with the execution of the event, and it was great seeing them take interest. Because roughly 70% of Polimoda students come from abroad, we saw a wide range of people from different nationalities and backgrounds participating in the event. This kind of international turnout perfectly represented the overwhelming need for a community during these difficult times. It showed just how many people are willing to lend a helping hand.
“We need to stick together because unity is what makes us strong.”
In the end, we are not all soldiers, medics or world leaders who can stand in the front lines and diffuse these conflicts first-hand. We don’t have to be. These Polimoda students set out to send a message of peace, but maybe even without realizing it, they also proved just how much each of us can contribute by just stepping up and making our voices be heard. It doesn’t matter who or where we are. We can still make a difference. With a stroke of a brush, these young creatives from around the world did just this. Using their talent and expertise to create a beacon of unity, thus hoping to inspire those in need to fight another day.