ROCKIT, a Vilnius-based fintech community, announced that it has launched a NFT-based charity campaign to raise funds for Ukrainians affected by Russia’s invasion.
Called “The Nightingale of Freedom,” the NFT project is a joint work by artist Agnė Kišonaitė and more than 400 children from all over Lithuania.
“When I was invited to contribute to this project, I immediately thought of a nightingale. It is the national bird of Ukraine. Very fragile, but at the same time its song is magical. It is said that a nightingale can’t stop singing, so too Ukraine, which fights for the freedom of all of us, can’t stop fighting. And we are here to help with everything in our power. The outward appearance of the nightingale is quite neutral, it is colourless, with no distinctive features; therefore, together with the children, we gave it the colours of the Ukrainian flag, and today we invite you to give it the wings of freedom,” says Kišonaitė.
“The aim of this project is to remind and invite everyone to not forget, as “The Nightingale of Freedom” is dedicated to all people who love freedom and who fight for it,” says Rockit.
Made into 265 unique NFTs
Rockit says the art piece is made from more than 500 unique feathers. They were created and sent to artist A. Kišonaite by children from all over Lithuania.
In collaboration with the blockchain specialists, “The Nightingale of Freedom” was digitised and transformed into 265 non-fungible tokens with unique codes.
“Both Lithuanian residents and companies have been incredibly united in their support for Ukraine since it was attacked by Russia. The “Nightingale of Freedom” is symbolically divided into 265 irreplaceable tokens, each with its own unique code. The Lithuanian Fintech industry unites 265 start-ups — just like the nightingale — each of them is unique, bright, and exceptional, painting a picture of Lithuanian innovation,” says Lina Žemaitytė-Kirkman, Head of Rockit.
At present, anyone with a virtual wallet will be able to buy them on the initiative’s page. The collected funds will be donated to the “I Am Ukraine” fund, administered in part by the Embassy of Ukraine in Lithuania.
According to Rockit, the first part of the NFT was sold for €1000 at a live auction during ROCKIT’s birthday on the June 30.
From baby food to bulletproof vest
The funds will be prioritised according to the areas in Ukraine where immediate support is necessary. It includes the need for humanitarian aid, from baby food and first aid kits to batteries, and protective equipment such as bulletproof vests.
BCCS Cluster, Bitlocus, Lithuanian Museums Centre for Information, Digitisation and LIMIS, Lithuanian National Museum of Art, and Go Vilnius also took part in “The Nightingale of Freedom” project.
“Web3 technologies enable innovations that open new opportunities for the business and FinTech industry to advance along with community support. In addition to strengthening these links and cooperation, the ‘The Nightingale of Freedom’ will also open the door to new projects and initiatives like this one. Therefore, I believe that today our community will welcome new members who, with a good goal in mind, will discover together the miracles created by modern technologies,” says Andrius Petkevičius, CEO of BCCS Cluster.
You can donate and receive NFT here.
