The City of Paris and the Ukrainian Embassy in France have joined forces to present an extraordinary open-air exhibition: “TITANIUM.” This powerful project, created by French-Ukrainian photographer Youry Bilak, highlights the resilience of Ukrainians who have suffered life-altering injuries due to Russian aggression. Situated on the banks of the Seine, the free exhibition runs from August 20 to September 16, 2024, in the iconic setting of Pont Marie in Paris’s 4th arrondissement.

“TITANIUM” tells the remarkable stories of Ukrainian athletes—men, women, and children—who have sustained severe injuries during Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Many of them rely on titanium prosthetics. Whether before or after the onset of the conflict, these athletes, armed with unwavering determination, have turned their pain into strength, overcoming adversity through sport.

Youry Bilak on the Seine, September 2024

This exhibition holds personal significance for Youry Bilak, whose father, amputated during World War II, also faced life with a prosthetic. Born in Villeurbanne to Ukrainian parents who sought refuge in France after the war, Bilak made his mark in 2014 by documenting the Maidan revolution and the war zones in Eastern Ukraine. In 2022, he returned to capture the horrors of the Russian invasion, focusing on cities such as Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel, with a particular emphasis on children in war zones.

During the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, “TITANIUM” exhibition takes on a special meaning, celebrating the courage and perseverance of athletes with disabilities. This unique photographic work pays tribute to the universal values of sport, physical and moral resilience, and international solidarity.

To create this poignant series, Youry Bilak visited three prosthetic and rehabilitation centers in Ukraine: Unbroken and Superhumans in Lviv, and Tytanovi in Kyiv. There, he captured stories of lives being rebuilt.

In addition to the exhibition, Bilak launched a fundraising campaign on the HelloAsso platform to finance the purchase of bone implant kits for complex prosthetics. These implants are vital for the many Ukrainian victims who have endured severe mutilations. With these technologies, they can hope to regain autonomy and an active lifestyle.

Location: Banks of the Seine, Pont Marie – Paris 4th

Dates: August 20 to September 16, 2024

Admission: Free