Korinnya, the Roots

With Devon Ukrainian Association

24 February 2025

Коріння (transliteration: Korinnya – the Ukrainian word for the “roots”) is a project that has been made by Devon’s local Ukrainian community. ‘Korinnya, the Roots’ showcases creative ways photography has supported a group of displaced Ukrainian people in UK. Underneath the photos of their current life in Devon, are the deep roots of blue and yellow – Roots in the air. Roots that wish to return to their soil. Roots that can’t be detached. Roots that can’t be destroyed.

Emily Fletcher who ran the photography sessions for Fotonow saw a small group  join to learn photography and explore personal situations in a creative and therapeutic way. “Working with Devon Ukrainian Association between Exeter (where they’re based) and Plymouth (where we’re based) has more than planted a seed for how our two cities could work together on creative projects in communities.

Building on our past work with refugees, this project was developed by researcher Merrydith Russell and funded thanks to a grant from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and additional support from Plymouth City Council.

Thanks to Nudge Community Builders and the University of Plymouth, from the 24th of February some of the photographs will be displayed for a month on the exterior wall of the former ‘Club 103’ on Union Street, Plymouth, PL1 3EZ.

The exhibition will see an opening event, including choir performance, on the Monday 24th of February, 5:30-7 PM at The Plot, Union Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, PL1 3EZ.

A special thanks to the project participants (and image credits) to; Natalia Zhovtun, Iryna, Oksana Yefimova, Tania Drobot, Angelina Romaniuk, Anastasiia Pereverzieva, Nataliia Sindikova, Anastasiia Kuznetsova, Nadiia Katyreva, Tamara Sachko.

To find out more about our socially engaged photography projects please contact info@fotonow.org