PHOENIX, Ariz. – In partnership with Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the McCain Institute hosted the opening of the photography exhibit “Relentless Courage: Ukraine and the World at War” on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.
The Relentless Courage exhibit is a series of powerful images and essays from Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalists on the front lines of the war in Ukraine, with contributions from Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova, who provided video remarks at the event.
“This is about humanity – we should have learned by now as humans not to do this to one another. We should have done more in Syria and Chechnya. John McCain would say to end this era, this age of impunity, and start taking accountability,” said Dr. Evelyn Farkas, executive director of the McCain Institute.
“When I was looking at the pictures today, I was thinking I have seen these before. I have seen people crying and shelled buildings,” said Dr. Mariia Levchenko, peacebuilding advisor for the Romanian Peace Institute, senior protection officer for the Center for Civilians in Conflict, and 2022 McCain Global Leader. “It’s not just a war; this is a fight for our survival. This is a genocide happening in front of our eyes.”
The event featured a panel titled, “Only One Way Forward: The Vitality of a Democratic Ukraine,” where experts made the case for continued Western support for Ukraine and explained what is at stake in Ukraine, the human cost of war, and the important role of journalists in shaping public understanding of the conflict. Speakers included Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Dr. Mariia Levchenko, and Relentless Courage photographers Svet Jacqueline and Carol Guzy, moderated by Walter Cronkite School of Journalism Dean and Professor Dr. Battinto Batts.
“It’s important to not just see the photos that have been taken but understand that these are the expressions people are wearing every single day,” said Svet Jaqueline. “These events are happening every single day, and a single photograph represents the daily life [they’ve] created here – [Ukrainians] who as you know are still fighting to survive.”
“It’s not a traditional war of soldiers on a battlefield, this is daily terrorism upon the most vulnerable citizens,” said Carol Guzy. “The endless shelling and innocent victims are beyond horrifying. We are supposed to be objective as journalists, but we also have to amplify voices of justice. It’s not a war, it’s terrorism.”
The “Relentless Courage” exhibit will be open to visitors from September 25 until December 22. Watch a recording of the event here.
Read ASU News’ coverage of the event here.