Russian Artist, Ukrainian in Bali Work on Message of Unity

A Russian artist and a Ukrainian owner of a holiday home complex on the Indonesian resort¹ island of Bali have come together in a special way.

They are promoting peace and unity² through a large piece of art.

The piece of art is made up of a kind of writing called calligraphy³. Calligraphy is a beautiful way of writing that often uses a special writing tool.

The piece of calligraphy is written on the tops of nine buildings. It is 960 square meters. And it spells out "United World" in six languages: Russian, Ukrainian, English, Chinese, French, and Indonesian.

"This work is not a political statement, it's a cultural statement, it's a social statement, about people and the way ... we can unite together to create a future in harmony," Russian calligraphy artist Pokras Lampas told Reuters.

Lampas is 30 years old and has been in Bali since December. He said the idea was developed with a group of Ukrainian friends before the war started. But now, the work has taken on even more meaning.

Lampas describes his style as "Calligrafuturism." He says it is part modern calligraphy and part street art. He spent three weeks creating the work.

Alex Shtefan is the Ukrainian running the holiday home, or villas⁵, complex. He says the artwork follows his values and sends an important message.

"We can show in our villas to the world our idea that (the) world needs to be united," said Shtefan. He has been living in Indonesia for six years and is 35 years old.

Both men said they were angered by the war in Ukraine.

"If we can find a way to stop it and find a peaceful way to negotiate⁶, we need to make it now," Lampas said. Even though the two countries have their own cultures, "Russia and Ukraine always was like a brother, we are always ... close, we always help each other and even we look similar," said Shtefan.

"We cannot believe that it's happened," Shtefan said, adding that he was worried for the safety of loved ones back home.

Russia invaded⁷ Ukraine in February in a military offensive⁸ it describes as a "special military operation."

Words in This Story

harmony – n. a situation in which people are peaceful and agree with each other, or when things seem right or suitable together

villa⁴ – n. a house, usually in the countryside or near the sea, especially in southern Europe, and often one that people can rent for a vacation

1 resort   

n.凭借，手段，常去之地，胜地；vi.求助，诉诸，采取（某种手段等），常去

参考例句：

• He couldn't have passed the exam without resort to cheating.他要不是靠作弊是通不过这次考试的。
• Beidaihe is noted for its summer resort.北戴河以避暑胜地而著称。

2 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

3 calligraphy   

n.书法

参考例句：

• At the calligraphy competition,people asked him to write a few characters.书法比赛会上，人们请他留字。
• His calligraphy is vigorous and forceful.他的书法苍劲有力。

4 villa   

n.别墅，城郊小屋

参考例句：

• We rented a villa in France for the summer holidays.我们在法国租了一幢别墅消夏。
• We are quartered in a beautiful villa.我们住在一栋漂亮的别墅里。

5 villas   

别墅，公馆( villa的名词复数 )； （城郊）住宅

参考例句：

• Magnificent villas are found throughout Italy. 在意大利到处可看到豪华的别墅。
• Rich men came down from wealthy Rome to build sea-side villas. 有钱人从富有的罗马来到这儿建造海滨别墅。

6 negotiate   

v.洽谈，协商，谈判，顺利通过，成功越过

参考例句：

• I'll negotiate with their coach on the date of the match.我将与他们的教练磋商比赛的日期问题。
• I managed to negotiate successfully with the authorities.我设法同当局进行了成功的协商。

7 invaded   

v.侵入，侵略( invade的过去式和过去分词 )；涌入；侵袭；侵犯

参考例句：

• Troops invaded on August 9th that year. 军队是在那年的8月9日入侵的。
• The diseased tissue can be easily invaded by these microorganisms. 有病的组织容易被微生物侵袭。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 offensive   

adj.令人不快的，侮辱的，攻击用的；n.进攻

参考例句：

• His mode of doing business is offensive to me.他干事情的方式叫我很不喜欢。
• If all else fails,I will take the offensive.如果其他方法不行，我将采取攻势。