At the UFV Chilliwack campus there are two large antiwar symbols in the form of large hedgehog sculptures on display to help raise awareness about the current Ukraine conflict with Russia, and to promote peace. The original steel hedgehog sculpture was created by Maciej Kaczor, program technician from the faculty of applied and technical studies, welding instructor Matt Olafson, and several students. The antiwar statue is made up of large steel beams that are protectively placed over a map of Ukraine. The words “End War” are mounted on the very top of the sculpture in clear letters.
“The most important thing for me was to do something to express how I feel about the whole situation on the other side of the big pond,” said Kaczor.
Originally from Poland, Kaczor felt the direct impact of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and wanted to create a symbol that would help support his friends who live in Ukraine. Kaczor said that there was not a lot he could do physically to help with the conflict abroad.
“I started with making little antiwar signs that I would leave all around Chilliwack and after they disappeared, I was pretty disappointed.” said Kaczor.
According to Olafson, it took between 10-20 hours to complete the steel hedgehog and the inspiration behind the decision to go with this particular symbol which Kaczor said “will not be as easy to remove,” first came from Pierce Stoeckly, program technician in the trades program.
Olafson explained how the hedgehog antiwar sculpture they created is very similar in design and aesthetic to the hedgehog welded sculptures that the welders in the Ukraine are creating to help block out the tanks from the invading Russian army. He also points out that the hedgehog sculptures are very “dramatic” looking in appearance.
“Seeing the first news reports from Ukraine in February, [and] anybody with a welder and steel were putting these [hedgehogs] together to block their roads. So it’s something kind of visceral for us as tradespeople. It’s one of the ways that tradespeople in Ukraine were defending their turf,” said Olafson.
Kaczor said that he let his Ukrainian friends know about the welded hedgehog he and his colleague created, and they were touched by the gesture when they saw pictures of the antiwar sculptures.
Kaczor hopes that the sculptures and the media attention will prompt others to support Ukraine during this time of war through donating to existing foundations that can help bring aid. Olafson said that there is the hope that other post secondary institutions will emulate their example and create similar antiwar symbols to help support those affected by the Ukraine conflict. Olafson also mentioned that Stoeckly came up with this “assignment as a challenge” for other universities to partake in and create their own antiwar symbols.
When asked what students can take away from these antiwar symbols, Kaczor said: “Inspiring students to make a statement with the skills that they’re gaining here during the course to actually do something good for the people that are suffering.”
The original hedgehog sculpture is currently set up near Vedder Park in Chilliwack, and a larger version welded by UFV students Ian Lees and Josh McKenzie is also on display at the front of Building A at the Chilliwack campus.
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
