Ukraine’s Art Train has launched its first international tour, with the Republic of Moldova becoming the first country to host the unique travelling exhibition beyond Ukraine. The «Courage of a Nation» exhibition is visiting Chișinău, Ungheni, and Bălți, sharing powerful stories of Ukraine through photography.
On 27 August 2026, Moldova’s Independence Day, Chișinău became the first international destination of the Art Train by Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) – the world’s first gallery train dedicated to telling the story of Ukraine through photography.
The exhibition documents the realities of the war in Ukraine, the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, their struggle for freedom, and the enduring power of life in the face of destruction.
After Chișinău, the Ukraine Art Train in Moldova continued its journey to Ungheni and Bălți, bringing the exhibition to audiences across the country.
«Courage of a Nation»: Ukraine’s Story Through Photography
At the heart of the Art Train is the «Courage of a Nation» exhibition, featuring photographs by American philanthropist and photographer Howard G. Buffett, captured during his travels across Ukraine.
The photographs document occupation and liberation, the courage and sacrifice of Ukrainian defenders, communities rebuilding after destruction, and the resilience of people who continue to live, hope, and recover despite the consequences of war.
Photography is combined with specially designed lighting and musical accompaniment, creating an immersive experience inside the train’s gallery carriages.
The creative inspiration behind the project comes from internationally renowned photographer, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, photojournalist, and National Geographic Explorer Muhammed Muheisen.
From 43 Cities in Ukraine to the First International Art Train Tour
The world’s first gallery train was created by Ukrainian Railways in 2025 with the support of The Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
During its first year, the Art Train exhibition welcomed more than 48,000 visitors in 43 cities across Ukraine, travelling from Izium in the east to Chop in the west. In total, the train covered approximately 9,000 kilometres across Ukraine.
In 2026, the exhibition was partially updated and, for the first time, the project expanded beyond Ukraine’s borders.
The Art Train’s Moldova tour is being organised in cooperation with Calea Ferată din Moldova (CFM) and the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova.
Moldova Becomes the First Country to Welcome Ukraine’s Art Train
Choosing the Republic of Moldova as the first international destination carries special symbolic significance.
The journey of Ukraine’s Art Train represents another cultural bridge between Moldova and Ukraine, reflecting the solidarity and close ties between the two neighbouring countries.
More than an exhibition, the train carries truth, memory, and powerful testimonies of the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people across borders. Through photography, it reminds international audiences of the universal importance of freedom, human dignity, solidarity, and peace.
The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Moldova in Dnipro welcomes this important cultural initiative and its contribution to strengthening humanitarian and cultural cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
Ukraine Art Train Schedule in Moldova
The Art Train’s first international tour includes three cities in the Republic of Moldova:
Chișinău: 27 – 30 August 2026
Ungheni: 31 August – 1 September 2026
Bălți: 2 – 4 September 2026, from 11:00 to 19:00
Admission to the exhibition is free.
Visitors can find further information about the exhibition, the Art Train route, and opening hours on the project’s official website: arttrain.uz.gov.ua.
