Ukrainian de-stressing art event sees people scream loudly, splash in puddles and more

Virtual sunrises, a giant sculpture of a purring cat and a soundproof booth you can scream into – the art installations at 'Third Wind', an exhibition in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, may seem like a bit of lighthearted fun.
But for the show's organisers – among them leading psychologists and mental health experts – the art has a very serious purpose: to help Ukrainians de-stress and explore their emotions after three years of war.
Russia's invasion has triggered a mental health crisis in Ukraine, with more than half of respondents to a recent survey feeling 'anxiety and tension'.
If only for a brief moment, the installations offer visitors a much-needed mental break from the war and help them 'release tension, cry or smile a little', said curator Yulia Solovey.
'Above all, it's about giving people the strength to keep moving forward,' she said.
Children play on an installation at the 'Third Wind' exhibition. Photo: AFP
The exhibition has proved wildly popular, with nearly 100,000 people visiting within the space of a month.

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