Yesterday, the “Aybolit: On the Way to Recovery” project began practical work on its 2026 promotional calendar. This time, the calendar is dedicated to one of the project’s focus areas—rehabilitation through human-horse interaction.
As explained by Viktoriya Kramarenko, founder and head of the “Wings of Victory” Charitable Foundation, the shooting day started very early. The team of veterans, camera crew, and horse trainers gathered in advance at the “Klondike” stable in the Kyiv region. They needed to set up lighting and equipment, prepare the horse, and arrange the location.
“The calendar is more than just a series of photos,” emphasizes Kramarenko. “It’s a story we’re creating with love and deep respect for our veterans.”
When everything was ready, the magic of photographic performance began, starring Barcelona—a specially trained draft mare. Even the sudden rain that poured over the stable grounds only slightly altered plans. Neither the cold raindrops from the sky nor the slippery black soil stopped the process or hindered the well-coordinated team’s interaction with this amazing animal.
“Barcelona combines strength, tenderness, and deep understanding of humans,” explains Viktoriya Kramarenko. “She has a unique character: compliant, patient, wise. Her love for people works miracles during our weekly walks with warriors through picturesque nature, and even during today’s shoot.”
According to the Foundation head, Barcelona first carefully “reads” a person—quickly, almost like a flash in her subconscious. Then she does what she does best: gently presses her side against whoever is nearby, touching them with her head or neck as if saying, “I’m here. Everything’s fine.”
“We sincerely thank the stable’s team for their help and support during the shoot. We’re grateful to our sponsors who provided a warm, comfortable lounge where we could warm up with tea, cookies, and sandwiches. And we thank our photographer Anton Fedorov and his wife Svitlana for their professionalism, patience, and talent for capturing the best moments.”
Another shooting day lies ahead.
