Introducing the Winner of the Visual Art Contest 2026

Dozens of artists and art collectives applied to the 10th anniversary edition of the Pohoda Visual Art Contest this year. The expert jury ultimately selected Repropaganda, a project by Slovak artist Sam Heet Drevenák. The winning work, which will become part of the Pohoda 2026 festival grounds, responds to the symbols of Russian propaganda and, through a simple yet powerful gesture, transforms their meaning into an expression of solidarity with Ukraine and a rejection of imperialism.

29. June 2026

Sam Heet Drevenák
Repropaganda

Repropaganda was originally introduced in 2022 as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Following the outbreak of the war, the letters “V” and “Z” became some of the most prominent symbols of Russian military propaganda. They appeared on military vehicles, buildings, social media platforms, and various propaganda materials, gradually transforming into signs of support for aggression and imperialist politics.
In his work, Sam Heet Drevenák employs a simple yet conceptually powerful gesture: he removes the letters “V” and “Z” from the alphabet. By taking these symbols out of their original context, their meaning is reversed. What once functioned as a tool of propaganda becomes an expression of dissent, solidarity, and civic engagement.

“The gesture of removing these letters from the alphabet is symbolic. By taking away a propagandistic sign, its meaning is reversed. It is an expression of solidarity and, at the same time, a rejection of Russian imperialism. I have been attending Pohoda for several years and have always appreciated its values and its engagement with social issues. Repropaganda therefore felt like a natural choice for my participation in the Visual Art Contest,” says artist Sam Heet Drevenák.

As part of the festival grounds and the Visual Stage programme at Pohoda 2026, the installation will consist of a flagpole with a flag and a metal information plaque featuring an engraved explanation of the project. The work will also include a series of flags intended for sale, with proceeds supporting initiatives that provide assistance to Ukraine.