The opening of the exhibition Wherever You Are by Ukrainian artist, writer, and poet Maria Kozyrenko took place on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Gallery of Naïve Artists Trebnje, under the theme of art without borders.
The opening remarks highlighted the interplay that characterizes Maria Kozyrenko’s work—between folklore and modernity, between urban life and nature, and between the intensity of colors and the power of words. Sabina Tori Selan, director of the Trebnje Center for Education and Culture, described the opening as a celebration of creativity, while Damjana Šalehar, the curator of the exhibition and author of the accompanying texts, presented the symbolism of the motanka—a traditional Ukrainian protective doll, which is also the central motif of the winning entry at the 56th International Meeting of Naïve Artists Trebnje.
A special moment of the evening was the reading of the artist’s poetry, including the poem “A Song Without a Final Word,” which, through symbolic imagery, weaves together themes of love, loss, perseverance, and transformation.
The event was accompanied by the folk choir “Ljubystok,” led by Tetyana Horoshun, whose Ukrainian songs created a special atmosphere for the evening. Oljana Karpus, an art therapist, ensured that we could get to know the motanka—a traditional Ukrainian doll—more closely; a special workshop on this topic will also be held in the fall.
The exhibition was officially opened by Zoran Remic, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Mirna, and the event was also attended by Nataša Hribar, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Šentrupert. At the conclusion, visitors were invited to tour the exhibition and socialize over Ukrainian delicacies.
Thank you to everyone who made this exhibition possible: the Trebnje Center for Education and Culture and the municipalities of Mirna, Mokronog-Trebelno, Šentrupert, and Trebnje.
