While Catholics around the world say goodbye to pope Francis, a Ukrainian artist based in Luxembourg paid a very special tribute to the Holy Father.
Somewhere in an artist workshop in Luxembourg, Pope Francis continues to exist. And that, thanks to the work of Ukrainian sculptor Anatoliy Valievrefugee to the Grand Duchy since 2023.
From Australia to Ukraine, from Canada to Spain, the work of this associate professor of the kyiv Arts Academy was exhibited worldwide. In 2023, the artist had the opportunity to flee the bombs that fell on kyiv to find refuge in the Artrooms workshop in the Grand Ducal capital. This allows Anatoliy Valiev to offer its first exhibition in the country, at the Kamalbottek of Esch-sur-Alzette.
Before François’s visit to the Grand Duchy last year, the Ukrainian sculptor had already crossed the road to a pope: “I made some very well -known portraits of people. For example Pope Benedikt’s sculpture (Benoît XVI) now installed in the Vatican. Because this portrait, our president of Ukraine at the time (Viktor Iouchtchenko) offered it as a gift for the Vatican.”
In 2024, the artist learned of François’s next visit to Luxembourg at the turn of an article. The idea of marking this unique event then germinates in the spirit of Anatoliy Valiev: “I wanted to offer this sculpture as a symbol of this historic visit to Luxembourg.”
After two months of modeling work, a plaster molding is designed just in time for the visit. The creation of Anatoliy Valiev arouses a lot of interest during this major event for Catholics in the Greater Region.
“Many inhabitants of Luxembourg were very happy to see the Pope in Luxembourg, recalls the artist. And I think there are a lot of feelings that I have transmitted in this positive portrait. Pope’s attention for everyone. I think it’s a good memory for all the inhabitants of Luxembourg. ”
Anatoliy Valiev would like to see his work exhibited at the National Museum of Archeology, History and Art in Luxembourg or even, why not, in the Vatican. And it is not impossible that you will meet other creations of the sculptor in the streets of the country, perhaps soon on the side of the Findel.
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