Inside Ukraine’s War: The Meaning Behind Soldiers’ Call Signs

In Kyiv, an interactive art project “Call Signs” has been presented, dedicated to Infantry Day and, in particular, the phenomenon of Ukrainian soldiers’ call signs.

The exhibition opened at the Metropolitan’s House of the National Preserve “Sofia Kyivska,” Ukrinform reports.

As the exhibition organizers explain, a call sign represents the human, personal dimension of the military, as behind each one lies the life story of a specific person who has undergone a difficult transformation from civilian to soldier. The call sign of each warrior serves as a symbol of this transition.

“In each of us there is a name given at birth. When a person joins the military, they choose a new name. It is a kind of initiation as a warrior, and this name is the call sign, which becomes the main name for them for a certain period, and perhaps for life. And a call sign is the essence of a person at the moment when this name is given,” said Tetiana Pranchuk, the Ukrainian artist and author of the exhibition concept.

The creators of the “Call Signs” project are convinced that studying the phenomenon of call signs and the transformation of civilians into soldiers contributes to the unity of Ukrainian society amid the full-scale war.

“Our soldiers are not emotionless or soulless people in camouflage; they have spirituality and their own culture, which is also conveyed through their call signs. These call signs characterize a person as a father, a warrior, or as a professional in civilian life before becoming a serviceman. And all these call signs will always remain in our memory — both of those who gave their lives and those who continue to defend the state,” said Andrii Podik, head of the Communications Department of the Land Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The exhibition was dedicated to Infantry Day, and the choice of location within the “Sofia Kyivska” preserve was not accidental.

“This is a legendary historical place where Ukraine and Ukrainian history began, where Ukrainians trace their origins. For us, Ukrainians, this is truly a sacred place, and it is what people in uniform at the front are fighting for — our right to our history and culture,” said Zhanna Ocheretiana, head of the cultural, educational, and exhibition work department.

The exhibition of the “Call Signs” art project features a series of works across different genres (painting, graphic art, photography, audio novels, digital art, and performative practices), created by veteran artists, active servicemen and women, as well as relatives and close ones of defenders.

The “Call Signs” project also offers every defender of Ukraine the opportunity to contribute their own call sign. This can be done by leaving a sticker with their call sign, a civilian photo signed “Call Sign,” and sharing the story behind the origin of their call sign with the organizers.

Infantry Day in Ukraine is celebrated annually on May 6. The holiday was established by a presidential decree on April 19, 2019 (No. 152/2019) to honor the courage of infantry soldiers, who form the backbone of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The date commemorates the victory of the Cossacks at the Battle of Zhovti Vody in 1648, where infantry played a key role.

EMPR