UNITED24 Documentary Project: A Virtual Journey into Dreams

UNITED24, in collaboration with Microsoft and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, has launched a new documentary project with an immersive format — «Arina's Journey». The goal is to unite the global community for the recovery of Ukraine.

The main character of the project is an eight-year-old dancer from Irpin named Arina. Her hometown and dreams were shattered by Russian strikes. The girl had to flee her home with her mother but later returned to the devastated community. Arina's story symbolizes the fate of thousands of Ukrainian children. To showcase the war through the eyes of young Ukrainians, the project combines documentary video, art, virtual reality, and gaming elements. 

«Through the initiative of the presidential fundraising platform UNITED24 and with Microsoft’s support, we can reveal to the world the truth about the scale of destruction that Ukraine has faced due to Russian aggression. Such initiatives elevate fundraising to a new level — making it more effective and technological, and also help refocus attention on Ukraine», — noted Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovations, Education, Science, and Technology.

Thanks to innovative technologies, viewers are immersed in a virtual space where they can visit the destroyed cultural center in Irpin. Here, Arina shares her dream of dancing on a grand stage. Users will enter a metaverse — a reconstruction of the Irpin cultural center — and explore the rich cultural heritage of Ukraine: «Shchedryk», Malanka traditions, and the work of contemporary artist Masha Reva, who illustrated a Harry Styles music video.

To realize such a complex technological project, Microsoft provided expert support and capabilities of its Azure cloud platform.

«Our collaboration with Ukraine demonstrates the heights that can be achieved when innovation serves a great cause. We are proud to be a reliable technology partner. From secure infrastructure to captivating storytelling — Microsoft has helped create a digital experience that brings real change to the world», — commented Andy Pratt, Corporate Vice President of Emerging Technologies at Microsoft.

This project shows a new approach to fundraising for the reconstruction of Ukraine. It also embodies the dreams and hopes for the future of Ukrainian children. To assist children in achieving quality education and great accomplishments in life, UNITED24 has launched the «Education and Science» initiative.