Ukraine’s Independence Day in Berlin: Under One Sky – An Installation and March for Effective Security
On 24 August, Ukraine’s Independence Day, Vitsche invites you to an installation at Pariser Platz, followed by a protest march. The events aim to draw attention to the everyday reality Ukrainians continue to face under russia’s war of aggression and to highlight the connection between protecting Ukraine’s civilians and safeguarding Europe’s security.
From 10:00, a large protective net will be suspended above Pariser Platz. The installation reflects a familiar sight in many Ukrainian frontline towns and along critical roads, where protective nets are stretched over streets and public spaces in an attempt to shield civilians from drone attacks.
Beneath the net, an exhibition presents the stories of civilians who have become victims of the so-called “Human Safari” – a deliberate form of russian drone attacks targeting ordinary people.
“Every intercepted missile or drone represents a life saved. The impact of technology depends on whose hands it is in. russia uses drones to terrorize civilians through a human safari, while Ukraine uses innovation to protect lives — from interceptor drones that shield cities from aerial attacks to technologies that help evacuate the wounded and save soldiers on the front line. This experience is invaluable for the security of all Europe,” said Kateryna Mykhalko, Managing Director of New Age Defense.
The installation uses the protective net to illustrate the stark contrast between two realities. While in Germany, the sky is most often associated with the weather and day-to-day life, for people in Ukraine, it has become a source of constant danger. The temporary protective net over Pariser Platz is not presented as a permanent solution. Rather, it demonstrates how improvised protective measures have become necessary in Ukraine to shield people from aerial attacks. The most effective protection, however, is preventing such attacks from happening in the first place – through air defense systems and technologies that protect civilians before a threat reaches them.
What is made visible by the installation is then taken up by the protest march as a core political demand: Ukraine needs effective protection for its cities and its people. From 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm, the protest march will proceed from Potsdamer Platz to Pariser Platz, underscoring that this protection is a central component of European security. Ukraine is not only defending its own sovereignty, but also peace and stability in Europe.
Those who seek protection – for themselves or for others – must develop and provide the systems that make such protection possible.