Ambassador Sumi participated in the world mural project «Over the Wall» in Kyiv

　 On July 7 Ambassador Sumi participated and delivered a speech during the presentation of the world mural project «Over the Wall», which was created at the Art-zavod Platforma in Kyiv within the framework of the Year of Japan in Ukraine. Under this project, an artist Kensuke Miyazaki, who visited Ukraine thanks to the cooperation of UNHCR Ukraine (Ms. Etsuko Chida, Durable Solutions Officer is in charge with her iniative), created a wall painting measuring 4 by 12 meters, together with around 200 internally displaced children living in Kyiv.
　 In his speech, Ambassador Sumi said creating a mural with Ukrainian children, including IDPs, is a great event being a symbol of peace and evidence of friendly relations between Japan and Ukraine. He noted that Kyiv is peaceful, but the conflict in eastern Ukraine is still ongoing, and wished the mural will invite peace. Ambassador Sumi also said that another mural by Kensuke Miyazaki, which will be painted in Mariupol, comes from the famous folktale “The Mitten”, and a large number of people sharing a single mitten on the painting means a wish for peace.