As a part of Ukraine’s ongoing effort to fight Russian disinformation and memorialize its personal historical past, the United24 charity has teamed up with Minecraft creator Endorah for Minesalt, a recreation of 16 real-world places from the city of Soledar, at one time house to the most important salt manufacturing facility in Europe.
Soledar was the focus of a months-long battle following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which in the end ended with the city’s occupation by Russian forces in January 2023. It was virtually completely destroyed within the preventing, and what’s left is minimize off from the remainder of the world, which is likely one of the causes United24 selected the mission.
Soledar salt mines are actually in #Minecraft!Along with @EndorahCreation, we current #Minesalt, a Minecraft-based recreation that recreates Soledar’s salt mines.16 places and 500 km of tunnels, alongside a singular lore and 140 collectible crystals👇https://t.co/gtT4OPOoE8 pic.twitter.com/fPU7e0GlJBMarch 21, 2024
“As town is beneath momentary occupation, Minesalt is the one strategy to discover the unimaginable magnificence of those salt mines and commemorate the historic and monumental components of this place,” United24 coordinator Yaroslava Gres mentioned. “It preserves its reminiscence, paying tribute to the individuals who have labored there era after era.”
As a result of entry to Soledar’s archives have been additionally misplaced to the invasion, the Minesalt crew interviewed miners and “made new archives from their recollections, private pictures, and movies” with the intention to help with growth. Additionally they enlisted the assistance of Stepan Bandrivskyi, a 10-year veteran of the Soledar salt mines, to make sure the Minecraft recreations are as correct as potential.
I’ve by no means been there myself, however primarily based on the comparability pictures I would say they got here fairly near the mark.
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The journey by means of the Soledar salt mines will embody interactions with “well-known Ukrainians and world celebrities” together with Richard Branson, Misha Collins, Scott Kelly, and Katheryn Winnick, who will reveal extra concerning the historical past of the city and its well-known mines.
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However it’s not only a sightseeing tour: Gamers who gather “crystals” within the quickest time after which reply a three-question quiz (hope you have been paying consideration) can be eligible to win an Xbox Collection X console, packs of “Soledarity Ukrainian Rock-Stable Power” salt, and Twitch present playing cards.
Twitch streamer Tubbo took a run on the title not lengthy after Minesalt went dwell—sadly, he wasn’t fairly in a position to safe a spot within the high 24:
In addition to commemorating its historical past and bolstering consciousness of the continued conflict in Ukraine, the Minesalt mission additionally helps a fundraising marketing campaign that goals to rebuild the Velyka Kostromka College, which was destroyed by a Russian cruise missile in October 2022.
Minesalt is on the market now—particulars and full directions for accessing the sport can be found at u24.gov.ua.
