This exhibition didn’t begin at a gallery or a workshop; it began when Ukrainians were forced to flee the war in their country and found sanctuary in Orkney. While finding their footing in these islands rich in myths, they couldn’t help but notice the similarities between Scottish and Ukrainian folklore.

Over the past few months, the artists dived back into the stories from their childhood while also exploring the myths and folklore of their new home. Though different on the surface, Ukrainian and Scottish mythologies have quite a lot in common – they both share a fascination with the natural world and the spirits believed to inhabit it.

Both cultures shaped guardians, gods and symbols inspired by the same natural phenomenon. Thus, by placing them side-by-side, the artists invite you to embark on a captivating journey of comparison between Ukrainian and Scottish mythology, exploring how the same ancient shadows are cast onto two very different landscapes.

This exhibition is a celebration of what we have in common – the rich heritage of myths and folklore that once explained the mysteries of the world to our ancestors, the stories that keep us grounded by connecting us to our roots and the new things we learn from each other when two cultures meet.

Nataliia C . Alina Filatova . Alona Petliarska . Svitlana Valentiienko

This exhibition is presented as part of Refugee Festival Scotland 2026