Ukrainian Business and Diaspora in Varna Create Ethnic Mural for the Day of Bravery

Through a joint initiative of the “My Razom” Association, the construction corporation KUB, and the Ukrainian cuisine restaurant “Stefania,” one of the underpasses in the city of Varna was beautified with an artistic mural in honor of the Day of Bravery and the Bulgarian Army.

The mural project turned into a vibrant family event, where anyone interested could take part in painting a fragment of the design and become part of the initiative. The master artists who developed the project held a small workshop on working with paints, and the “Stefania” restaurant provided complimentary treats for all participants, including families with children.

The main part of the artistic work lasted nearly two weeks and required more than 160 liters of paint. Residents of the area thanked the organizers for improving the underpass. According to the artists, beyond its aesthetic value, the mural also expresses the gratitude of the Ukrainian diaspora in Varna for the shelter provided during the war and symbolizes the mutual respect between the two nations for each other’s traditions.

“I’m used to working in a site-specific style, which involves ‘embedding’ the art piece into its surroundings. In this case, the setting is urban and next to a restaurant offering ethnic cuisine. That’s why the mural combines floral and marine motifs, common to both Ukrainian and Bulgarian cultures, along with geometric shapes that symbolize the city and coexistence,” explained one of the mural’s authors, Odesa-based artist Georgiy Khazankin.

The funding for the artistic work and the permits from the Varna Municipality were handled by the KUB Corporation—an international association of construction companies with Ukrainian roots that is currently executing a number of large-scale premium residential projects in the city—as well as the partner organization “My Razom,” which supports Ukrainian refugees in Varna.

“The construction business has taught me that the key to successful development and effective collaboration lies in treating completed work and new projects with the same level of responsibility. Ukrainians in Varna have come to love this wonderful city deeply, and I’m happy that we found a way for them to give back to its residents and administration, emphasizing our shared care for the living environment,” said Oleg Nevzorov, CEO of KUB Corporation.

"The underpass beautification campaign is one in a series of events we are planning and implementing in Bulgaria. Last year, we initiated a cleanup campaign in the Sea Garden, which was joined by both Bulgarians and Ukrainians. Recently, together with our partners, we cleaned up Kabakum Beach. We see this as a logical way to say “thank you” to the country that has helped and welcomed us. It’s also an effective form of integration into society. We thank our partners who support us, and the local residents who stand by us,” said Khrystyna Vier, head of the Ukrainian community organization “My Razom”.

Background:

KUB is a developers’ corporation specializing in the implementation of complex infrastructure projects, as well as business and real estate management. Among other things, it provides crisis management services for projects where developers have failed to meet their obligations to investors. The corporation has already provided housing for thousands of Ukrainian families.

In 2023, KUB entered the Bulgarian market by opening a branch in Varna, where it is implementing two large-scale projects: Forest Club, a multifunctional residential complex with developed infrastructure located in a forest area, and Aqua View Apartments, a residential complex with its own pool and parking, just 150 meters from the sea.

To support Ukrainians who were forced to flee their homes due to the war and relocate to Bulgaria, KUB Corporation is actively assisting the Bulgarian NGO “My Razom,” which helps displaced persons adapt, provides legal aid, and secures employment opportunities.