Freiburg residents offering art therapy assistance to war-stricken Ukrainians
In the heart of Ukraine, a new trauma center is taking shape, thanks to the ongoing support from the city of Freiburg, Germany. Named the UNBROKEN Art WORKSHOP, this center is more than just a medical facility – it's a sanctuary for healing, creativity, and professional growth.
The center, which focuses on art therapy for veterans, wounded persons, and those affected by the war, is being created in a renovated industrial space of a former boiler house. With an initial investment of one million euros raised by Freiburg residents, the project has been doubled by the city authorities to support Ukrainians suffering from the war.
The architectural bureau RE+ has designed the center, which consists of three main parts: a pottery workshop, a sculpture workshop, and an educational block. The educational block contains a professional art library, conference rooms, and artist residencies aimed to combine applied arts, theater, painting, music, and performances.
The facility also organizes trainings on trauma-related topics and educational programs for developing new creative professions.
During the start of construction, a groundbreaking ceremony was held, featuring the laying of a time capsule containing a text about cooperation, children's drawings, the Freiburg badge, and a stone from a local cathedral that survived World War II bombings. This symbolizes the cooperative and healing spirit behind the project.
Martin Horn, Freiburg's Mayor, will be present at the groundbreaking ceremony along with Lviv's Mayor Andrij Sadovyi, representatives from politics and society, war wounded, veterans, and their families.
The support for the trauma center project is strong among Freiburg's civil society. Notable supporters include former SC Freiburg coach Christian Streich, Sportfreunde Stiller bassist Rüdiger Linhof, and Freiburg's senior public prosecutor Klaus Hoffmann.
The trauma center, to be known as Maisternia, will have its cornerstone laid on Monday. It complements a larger hospital and rehabilitation center for physically and psychologically injured people, for which Freiburg has already donated 500,000 euros in 2022.
Freiburg's support for Lviv extends beyond emergency aid to include sustainable rebuilding and structural support, particularly in the medical and psychosocial areas. The center adopts the "Unbroken" approach, which strengthens the dignity and resilience of people affected by war.
The focus of Freiburg's support has shifted from acute emergency aid to sustainable rebuilding and structural support. So far, the city administration of Freiburg has raised 2.5 million euros for the support of the city of Lviv.
The donation campaign, initiated by committed Freiburg citizens, has garnered support from various sectors, including culture, sports, and politics. A check for almost 60,000 euros was recently presented at Freiburg's town hall as part of the donation campaign.
In addition to psychosocial support, the center will offer workshops, lectures, a specialized library, and fully equipped studios for sculpture and ceramics. The center is part of the ongoing support Freiburg has provided to Lviv since the outbreak of the war, aiming to provide not just physical rehabilitation support but psychological healing through creative expression.
- The UNBROKEN Art WORKSHOP, a new trauma center in Ukraine, focuses on mental health and healing, offering therapies and treatments through art, specifically for veterans, wounded persons, and those affected by war.
- The trauma center, Maisternia, is part of Freiburg's ongoing support for Lviv beyond emergency aid, focusing on sustainable rebuilding and structural support, particularly in the medical and psychosocial areas.
- The center adopts the "Unbroken" approach, aiming to strengthen the dignity and resilience of people affected by war, providing not just physical rehabilitation but psychological healing through creative expression in health-and-wellness and general-news contexts.
- The support for the trauma center project has been extensive, with contributions from various sectors, including culture, sports, and politics, as well as notable personalities like Martin Horn, Freiburg's Mayor, and Christian Streich, former SC Freiburg coach.
