On 18 February, a new mural by the famous Brno artist Timo appeared on the building of the Stryi Bus Station in Lviv, facing Stryiska Street. The artist depicted the word «вчинок» (vchynok), which translates as «deed», symbolizing action, courage, and resilience of Ukrainians in the face of war.
This project marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The mural highlights the strength and courage of Ukrainians during the war. The idea behind the work is that every act, even the smallest, can change the world around us. And it will be presented in a similar mural in Brno, where the word «deed» will be depicted in the Czech language version — «skutek».
«I don’t have a single, specific message that I want to convey with this mural. The word “act” sits between theory and practice, between words and real actions. I like this word because it always implies activity, a concrete act that changes reality. In my view, “deed” is a word of strength», — explains Timo.
The artist created the mural at the bus station, a place that has taken on special significance since the full-scale invasion. The Institute for Cultural Strategy helped the artist to find a suitable place for «Vchynok» in Lviv and to implement this idea. Its director, Yulia Khomchyn, shares:
«I knew that Timo had been considering the idea of creating a mural in Lviv for some time but hadn’t found the right location. One day, the building of the Stryi Bus Station came to my mind. I know this station well, having used it frequently in the past. Now, during the war, when so many Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes and airports remain closed, bus and train stations have taken on special significance. They are places of farewells and reunions, departures and arrivals — they are the city’s gateways. Timo liked the idea, and the bus station management supported the mural project. Now, when people are waiting for a bus or driving by, they will see “Vchynok” and maybe it will be an impulse to think about their actions and what an act means. At the same time, such international projects help our city to advocate its way to the title of European Capital of Culture 2030 and reveal the idea of Lviv’s application for this competition, which sounds like “The responsibility to be”».
In Brno, a similar mural will appear on the wall of a former monastery next to the Partnership Fund, the project organizer on the Czech side. Both murals are scheduled to be completed by 24 February. The project demonstrates the unity and mutual support between the cities of Lviv and Brno, and is a manifestation of cultural cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic.
The author of the mural, Timo, is a well-known Brno street artist, poet, and graffiti creator. He began his creative work in public space in 1997 and is known for short poems, stylized images and slogans on city walls. His work is characterized by irony and social criticism, sometimes using altered logos of famous brands. The book «b jako brno», published in 2019, is dedicated to his work.
The mural «Vchynok» is not only a symbol of Ukrainian resilience and international solidarity but also enriches Lviv’s urban space with new cultural meaning, leaving a lasting artistic mark in challenging times.
The project is implemented within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Lviv and Brno with the support of the City of Brno, South Moravian Region, the Partnership Fund, and the Větrné mlýny publishing house. Lviv’s partner is the Institute for Cultural Strategy. The project aims not only to commemorate the difficult events in Ukraine, but also to inspire further mutual support and cooperation between Ukraine and the Czech Republic.
Photo by Vitalii Hrabar