A story that began in Tallinn continues

Our friends and partners are completing the short documentary TV film “Yellow-blue Butterflies. To the Children”, produced with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.

For the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia this news is special: we took part in launching the international initiative that the new film tells about.

Its story began on 20 November 2025 in Tallinn, as part of the PÖFF film festival. At the MUBA music and ballet school, Ukrainians and Estonians, artists, diplomats and representatives of state institutions gathered to support Ukrainian children unlawfully deported and abducted by Russia.

The event took place with the support and in the presence of the First Lady of Estonia Sirje Karis. Guests also included the Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia Volodymyr Boiechko, Head of the State Film Agency of Ukraine Andrii Osipov and PÖFF Director Tiina Lokk.

That day featured moving performances by Ukrainian children; guests viewed an exhibition of children’s drawings and watched the documentary “Yellow-blue Butterflies” — about children of war and art that helps them heal.

At the end, they wrote messages on yellow and blue cards for Ukrainian children who still cannot return home. Words of support meant to remind them: you are remembered, you are being searched for, and you are awaited.

Since then, the initiative has continued to bring together people from Ukraine and other countries. This year, at the Mykolaichuk OPEN festival, another public campaign took place to collect messages, with an exhibition of the first cards and a presentation of the results.

It is this journey — from the event in Tallinn to an international art and civic campaign — that the new film “Yellow-blue Butterflies. To the Children” will capture.

Together with the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia, we support our partners and are glad that this important story continues. For us it is another example of how Ukrainian cinema helps bring people together and turn care into action.

Every Ukrainian child has the right to return home.