Experience ‘Shelter’: An underground VR-experience about Ukraine
In a world increasingly shaped by conflict, it becomes ever more important to create space for empathy, understanding, and informed public discourse. That is the intention the Shelter documentary and immersive installation aims to achieve as it presented at Leiden University.
Shelter serves as a timely reminder of the need to protect civilians, for example in Ukraine. This is particularly relevant at a time when the devastating consequences of war are becoming harder to ignore. The experience is part of the Just Peace Festival.
The Shelter installation transports its audience into the lives of Ukrainian civilians living under the constant threat of bombardment. As political leaders prepare for the upcoming NATO Summit, where key decisions will be made regarding military support and defense, it is vital for the broader public to be aware of the need to protect ordinary people. By bringing this immersive experience to The Hague, Shelter acts as a bridge between geopolitical discussions and lived reality, ensuring that conversations about security and international strategy remain grounded in the human cost of war. This kind of public engagement is critical.
Civilian protection across Europe
Beyond Ukraine, Shelter also raises questions about civilian protection throughout Europe. How prepared are European cities and nations to protect their own populations in the case of conflict? The installation invites viewers to consider the state of shelters across the continent. These are not just historical remnants but are becoming current necessities in the context of revived tensions.
This point resonates in The Hague, a city known globally for peace, justice, and international law. The Shelter installation encourages not only empathy but also critical reflection on the readiness and resilience of European civil infrastructure.
Beyond the power of VR
At its core, Shelter harnesses the power of virtual reality (VR), but Shelter goes beyond the wearing of a headset. You will find yourself in a basement, a makeshift bunker, just like Ukrainian civilians seek refuge. This isn't just a visual and auditory experience but aims to deliver an integral sensory connection.
VR allows you to step into another world. In Shelter, audiences don’t merely observe; they experience. They feel the confined space, smell the uncertainty, and connect with the underlying tension. Shelter uses this technology to its fullest, turning abstract headlines into lived experiences.
A call to awareness
The Shelter installation at Leiden University is more than a temporary exhibit. It is a call to awareness, an invitation to reflection, and a challenge to act. As part of the Just Peace Festival, it invites us to consider the responsibilities of peace-minded societies in times of war. It asks difficult questions about how Europe protects its own civilians, and what more can be done to support those in the shadow of war.
On the eve of strategic decisions that could shape our global future, Shelter offers something rare: the chance to pause, witness, and reflect. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the world through someone else’s eyes and be inspired to make a difference.
Registration
When you sign up, you’ll need to choose a time slot for entering the bunker. Various time slots are available between 16 and 20 June. Each slot lasts 45 minutes.
Register