On October 9, Kyiv witnessed the opening of the sculpture #EnergyWings - a collaboration between DTEK Grids and the contemporary Ukrainian artist Les Panchyshyn. The sculpture is part of the DTEK Grids environmental education project named #EnergyWings. The aim is to draw attention to the need to protect birds and to popularize the sustainable development goals of the UN Global Compact in Ukrainian society.
The sculpture #EnergyWings is now on one of the central alleys near pavilion 5 in the VDNG National Expocentre. It symbolizes not only the company's bird protection project, but also turns to the image of a stork - a symbol of home, family, and well-being for Ukrainians.
The sculpture #EnergyWings was created by a young Ukrainian artist and sculptor Les Panchyshyn. This is a contemporary art* sculpture. There is also a QR code nearby, scanning which every guest of VDNG can learn about the bird safety program implemented by DTEK Grids.
“DTEK is transforming its business in accordance with the New Strategy 2030, based on ESG principles, values and business responsibility for progress in achieving the sustainable development goals of the UN Global Compact. DTEK Grids is a modern business that focuses not only on achieving business goals, but also contributes to solving issues that are critical for our society. For 8 years, our specialists have transferred 250 stork nests to the platforms. Ecologists estimated that we have helped to save more than 5,000 birds,” says Ivan Geliukh, DTEK Grids CEO. “In 2021, we scaled up our efforts and are installing 122 platforms as part of the #EnergyWings environmental education project.”
The sculpture is part of a large environmental education project #EnergyWings. It includes the installation of the largest number of bird protection platforms in Ukraine within one month, an environmental educational project for children, a media project and the art objects – the #EnergyWings sculptures.
“The language of art is a universal language that unites people around common goals and meanings. That is why we decided to tell the story of stork protection using this language. In October, #EnergyWings sculptures appeared in the central parks of Kyiv and Odesa. They tell people that everyone can contribute to the wildlife conservation,” says Diana Kladova, Head of Communications at DTEK Grids.
“Humanity knows its history thanks to art. I am glad I got a chance to write my own page for history in collaboration with the DTEK business and draw people's attention to the importance of sustainable development. What kind of world our children will get depends on each of us,” says the author of the sculpture Les Panchyshyn.
As previously reported, the company's efforts to install the platforms are in line with the goal of UN Global Compact #15 - biodiversity preservation. Throughout September, DTEK employees, opinion leaders and company customers installed platforms across the Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv and Odesa regions that protect stork nests from slipping onto power lines, thus breaking wires. This way, the company prevents the bird death and power line failures.
As part of the environmental education project, in the summer 40 schoolchildren from different regions of Ukraine observed storks together with DTEK Grids energy workers and ecologists. Based on their research, young environmentalists made videos that were published on social networks. An educational project for children is a step of the company to form a new culture of thinking and understanding the sustainable development by the young generation of Ukrainians.
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*Contemporary art is the art of today, which goes back to the beginnings of Modernism. It includes a wide range of techniques due to both the development of technology and self-knowledge.
