Photo: Reuters
The war between Russia and Ukraine has made millions flee and lose their homes. So the global community has made their fair share of contributions to ease the fear and help the victims of the warfare.
A Czech designer has thought of a new way to raise funds for the Ukrainians enduring the war in their country: creating pillows with the portrait of the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, who he believes has become a sex symbol for a few.
Zelensky, since the war broke out, has become the symbol of Ukraine’s defiance to Russia’s attack, echoing the voice of his fellow countrymen from a heavily-guarded compound in Kyiv in daily broadcasts on social media. Although tired, the Ukrainian leader stands firm in his unshaven face and green T-shirt.
“Many people, mostly of the fair sex, see him as some kind of a sex symbol, so I got the idea to make a pillow which would look like he is actually in their bed,” Tomas Brinek, the designer, said in an interview.
Brinek continued to say that his limited edition, hand-crafted pillows has appealed to over 2,000 customers who ordered and accumulated a lump sum of 420,000 crowns ($18,900) for a movement aiding Ukrainians devastated by the war.
The graphic designer also manages an Instagram channel, TMBK, which possesses over 540,000 followers and typically jokes about politicians.
“The idea was really a bit of a joke, but there is this serious side that the profits can do some good for Ukraine,” said Brinek, further stating that he is currently considering creating one more batch due to strong interest.
The Czech Republic has handed more than millions of dollars worth of help to Ukraine and has welcomed about 270,000 refugees, the majority of which are women and children, escaping the war.
The crisis, which began on February 24, has cost thousands of people’s lives and over 3 million individuals escaping to neighboring nations.
Opinions expressed by California Gazette contributors are their own.
