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On April 3, 2025, over 120 guests gathered in a prestigious historic venue in Midtown Manhattan—The University Club oof New York, the very same halls where Winston Churchill once delivered a speech. That evening, however, the room was filled with the voices of those standing for Ukraine. Organized by Dignitas Ukraine and generously supported by Bruce and Dan Searby and their family, the charity event aimed to raise funds for Tech Explorers, a groundbreaking educational initiative that empowers Ukrainian children and youth through STEM and robotics.
The centerpiece was a live auction of Ukrainian contemporary art, featuring works by celebrated artists such as Yurii Koval, Natalia Karpinska, Vlada Ralko, Andriy Stegura, Katya Buchatska, Alice Nikitinová, and Tetiana Malinovska.
The artworks, provided by BIRUCHIY—Ukraine’s largest and longest-running international contemporary art residency—barely survived the occupation of Bucha, where they were stored before liberation in 2022.
Each painting carried a piece of Ukraine’s soul: from Ralko’s reflections on Soviet symbols and violence, to Karpinska’s peaceful seascapes from occupied territory, to Malinovska’s flowing depiction of time and transformation. As bidders raised their paddles, they weren’t just acquiring art—they were preserving memory and supporting freedom. Olena Speranska, Director of BIRUCHIY, shared the story of the residency’s resilience and artistic legacy despite occupation and destruction. The artworks presented were not only culturally significant—they symbolized defiance in the face of war.
One of the evening’s most powerful moments came from Andriy “Apostol” Smolensky, a Ukrainian veteran from Kyiv. Before the full-scale war, Andriy was a financial consultant, a church singer, and a lover of philosophy. After the invasion, he joined the 47th Mechanized Brigade “Magura” and led an aerial reconnaissance unit on the front lines.In May 2023, during a mission near Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia, Andriy was severely injured—losing his sight, most of both hands, and suffering a life-threatening head injury.
Tech Explorers is more than a program of Dignitas Ukraine—it’s a beacon of hope for children whose lives have been disrupted by war. It offers after-school access to STEM education, focusing on advanced robotics and drone systems for two age groups: children aged 7–12 and teens 13–17. The initiative specifically engages children of military personnel and those directly affected by the war, supporting their recovery and mental well-being while equipping them with tools to build a better future.
Photo courtesy Dinara Khairova
