Every nation has its own heroes, symbolizing their spirit and history. For Germany, it is the Brave Tailor; for Great Britain – Robin Hood; and for Japan – Momotaro. And the embodiment of courage in the Ukrainian folk is Kotygoroshko. A stocky boy with a mace, who fearlessly liberates his siblings from enemy imprisonment, and firmly opposes any signs of injustice, choosing fight over flight.
One evening, while reading a tale about Kotygoroshko to his children, the designer of the project, Max Matsveiko, felt that this character could become an artistic symbol of the modern Ukrainian spirit. This is how KOTO was born, a prototype of a national hero that combined the folklore heritage of the past with the bold design of the future.
During the event, the first collection of Fighting figures was presented. It symbolizes Ukrainian resistance to invaders; the eternal struggle that has been present in our history for centuries. Five designs of KOTO reflect different stages of fighting the enemy: from the first clash (Invasion Fighting figure) to the formation of a new unbreakable nation (Forever Fighting figure).
The famous Ukrainians present at the event had a unique opportunity to sign 2 figures with their own hands, creating a truly unique design. Marina Borzhemska, Ilona Gvozdyova, Oleksiy Surovtsev, Max Leonov, Vita Bulana, Anna Malinovska, Olimpia Vaitmustash, Tetiana Karikova, Slava Solomka and others joined the creative process. Later, these star KOTOs will be sold at auction with the help of the project’s partners — the KOLO charity fund.
Besides the cultural part, KOTO also has a significant collection value due to a unique artifact – a sphere-shaped heart. Each collection has its own, which differs in its meaning. Figures from the first series of Fighting figures contain a shell casing collected on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Usually, collectors look for paintings, sculptures, antiques, and other works of art. However, KOTO goes beyond standard collectibles. This is not just an art figure, but a symbol of courage, patriotism, and unbreakable spirit, which have become fundamental for Ukrainians. KOTO stands not only for aesthetics but also for an important historical and cultural context.
For Ukrainians, buying such a figure is a way to express their support and unity with the culture of our country. For foreigners, it is a unique opportunity to discover the multi-layered Ukrainian heritage in a new way and to get to know its history through the prism of modern art.
