On December 18, as part of the Museum of Civilian Voices by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s project, a public interview with Guido Heisig took place within the “Diaries of Civilians: voices of survivors and those who did not survive” initiative. The event was held at the Museum of Kyiv History.
Guido Heisig, a German artist and pilot, has been living and working in Ukraine for over 12 years. He is the author of the art book The Silent Heroes, which tells the stories of ordinary Ukrainians whose lives have been profoundly impacted by the war. The book also serves as a war diary, blending illustrations, narratives, and real human stories. The interview was moderated by Natalia Yemchenko, Director of communications at SCM and a Member of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.
"The stories in this book are truly about the fine line between life and death, where the most important thing is simply to survive. These are traumatic and deeply stressful situations experienced by ordinary people, yet they are incredibly brave. This is what inspires me and moves me. That’s why I call them heroes,"― said Guido Heisig
The artist explained that throughout the process of creating the book, he felt a profound responsibility for every word and every illustration. His first "hero" was a doctor to whom he provided essential tools.
"For me, this art book is much more than just a book. It’s a way to immerse oneself in the lives of those who have lived through war, while creating a space for reflection and emotional empathy. Art’s language is universal. It speaks to the shared humanity in all of us, it touches everyone, evokes emotions, and reveals something deep inside," ― the artist shared.
Guido also emphasized the special role of the art book in a world that is slowly becoming desensitized to news of war.
"People read the news, see reports about missile strikes, drone attacks, and casualties, and start to become numb to it. That’s why this book serves as a powerful tool to awaken people’s awareness and remind them that these are not just numbers. These are real people, living here and trying to rebuild their lives despite everything,"― the author remarked.
In his book, Guido not only tells stories but also uses artistic design elements to emphasize the depth of the subject. The pages are designed with unique features, such as bullet-pierced pages, symbolizing the traumatic events that people endure during the war.
"When I was creating this book, I wanted it to be more than just a book. I wanted it to be a work of art. That’s why we added the effect of bullet-pierced pages —as a symbol of suffering and war, but also of the unbroken spirit," Guido explained.
He also shared that the book includes crafted elements like pockets, envelopes, and postcards, each carrying additional metaphors.
"This book is meant to evoke an emotional response, and every element in it holds its own symbolism. While Europe may grow weary of war, it never tires of art,"― said the author.
These artistic innovations create a unique atmosphere, turning the book into something more than just a collection of stories—it becomes an emotional journey through the pain and experiences that have become part of everyday life for Ukrainians.
Natalia Yemchenko emphasized the importance of preserving such stories: "At the Museum of Civilian Voices by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, we have thousands and thousands of testimonies about the war. We know that we must not lose a single one because each experience is unique. It must be documented and passed down to future generations."
The Museum of Civilian Voices by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation already houses over 120,000 war stories. It is the largest collection of personal accounts from civilians who have suffered as a result of russia’s war against Ukraine.
Public interviews are part of a series of cultural events organized by the Museum of Civilian Voices by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, aimed at preserving the memory of the war. Keep updated on upcoming events by following the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s social media pages and the Museum’s website.