A joint exhibition organised by the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in collaboration with the Estonian War Museum – General Laidoner Museum (Eesti Sõjamuuseum – Kindral Laidoneri Muuseum), Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom and Community organization of families of fallen defenders of Ukraine “HEART NAZOVNI” titled The Face of Bravery. The Undefeated Defenders of Azovstal has been nominated for two prestigious Kuldmuna awards in the categories:

(1) media advertising (poster);

(2) ecological design.

The exhibition ran from May.16 to Oct. 5, 2025 in the Krull district (Tallinn) and narrated the stories of soldiers who bravely defended Mariupol in spring 2022 during a brutal siege by Russian troops. The fiercest fights took place in the area around Azovstal, one of the largest steel plants in Europe, that became a real fortress and is now remembered as a symbol of Ukrainian resilience and courage.

The project was implemented as a part of the Azovstal: New Meanings initiative. The exhibition was curated by Ukrainian historian Anton Bohdanov and Estonian cultural heritage preservation specialist Linda Lainvoo.

Last November the Estonian Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur, honoured more than 100 specialists for their contributions to the country’s national defence. At the award ceremony, Linda Lainevoo and Sander Jürisson, the Estonian historian and museum expert, presented the Minister with a poster of the joint exhibition. ‘I would also like to express my gratitude to everyone who has been devotedly and tirelessly supporting Ukraine. This is not only the war in Ukraine; everyone who stands with Ukraine is also defending the security of Estonia,’ emphasised Hanno Pevkur.

In February, the nominees for the Muuseumirott Award were announced. This event brought together the leading museum professionals in order to honour institutions for their creativity, innovation and dedication to the field. The Estonian War Museum – General Laidoner Museum and the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom were shortlisted in the Innovation of the Year in the Museum Sector category for their exhibition The Face of Bravery. The Undefeated Defenders of Azovstal.

Furthermore, the exhibition received the Estonian Cultural Foundation's annual award in the category Exhibition with Social Impact, highlighting its profound significance for both the Estonian and Ukrainian societies.

We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who supported the project, contributed to its implementation and visited the exhibition. This exhibition project gives citizens the opportunity to reflect on the tragedy of war and the true price of freedom.