Artist Eduard Kirič’s Animated Legacy Survives Kyiv Attack, Inspires Hope

In the aftermath of a devastating Russian attack on Kyiv, fragments of a beloved animated saga, featuring the iconic goat artist Eduard Kirič, have been salvaged from a destroyed apartment. Kirič’s fairy tales, which shaped the childhoods of generations of Soviet children, both russian and Ukrainian, continue to offer a beacon of hope amidst the ongoing conflict.

Eduard Kirič,a celebrated animator,is meticulously preserving the remnants of his life and art from the ruins of his Kyiv apartment. The characters he brought to life on television screens, etched into the memories of countless Ukrainian children, are now being rescued from the ashes of his attic studio, which was largely destroyed during a recent massive attack on the city. While Kirič managed to save some of his belongings, his neighbors tragically lost everything.

“I can draw more. You know, it’s animation,” Kirič stated, his resilience evident. his artistic journey was significantly influenced by Czech animation masters Karel Zeman and Jiří Trnka, with the stories of Soldier Švejk holding a particular resonance. Kirič began his animation career in the Soviet Union, where his works became a staple for Russian childhoods. Ironically, shortly before the Soviet Union’s dissolution, he created an anti-war piece depicting prehistoric people, unaware of the future trajectory of Ukrainian-Russian relations. “It is not possible to fight. What is it stupid. That is why (I painted) prehistoric people. They were wild,they were not gentlemen. Wild,” he reflected.

A New Era of Cossacks

Kirič’s indelible mark on Ukrainian animation history includes his adventurous series about Cossacks. Following Ukraine’s independence, these characters evolved, embodying the spirit of the Cossack as a national hero. In his more recent works, Kirič’s three protagonists are depicted with formidable gear.

“(Invasion) started a new era of my cossacks. It used to be,I would say,domain,now they are warriors,defenders,” Kirič explained. Nikita Vlasov, a calligrapher and friend of Kirič, fondly recalled the impact of the animated series: “When the Cossacks were on TV, it was fantastic. We were running home right away to see it.”

Nikita and eduard represent different generations of artists, each pursuing distinct artistic paths. However, for the past three years, both have been actively involved in projects aimed at bolstering the morale of civilians and soldiers. Through the enduring humor of Švejk and the unwavering resistance of the Cossacks, Eduard Kirič continues to defy the war, reigniting hope within Ukraine.