“State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda” Opens at Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve
Kyiv, Ukraine — September 28, 2025
To mark the 84th anniversary of the mass shootings at Babyn Yar, the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve has opened the international exhibition State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda, developed in cooperation with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM).
The exhibition explores how words and images—ranging from newspaper headlines and posters to large-scale visual displays—prepared the ground for the Holocaust and justified the Nazi campaign of annihilation.
Rosa Tapanova, Director of the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve, emphasized:
“The Reserve’s strategy is not only to preserve memory, but also to create modern educational practices for young people. That is why our cooperation with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is so important—it helps engage new generations of Ukrainians in understanding history. We strive to ensure that memory becomes our shield. Because if we do not preserve history, do not remember, and do not call things by their names, lies and hatred will once again find their way into our lives.”
Paul A. Shapiro, Director of International Affairs at the USHMM, noted:
“The Holocaust did not begin with mass murder. It began with words—with propaganda, with language of hate, directed most virulently against Jews but also against all who were defined as ‘other.’ This exhibition, State of Deception, shows how words can kill. They threaten democracy, human rights, physical safety, and the well-being of every member of society. On behalf of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, I want to say: we deeply share your sorrow as we remember not only the victims of the Holocaust and World War II, but also the victims of today’s aggression against Ukraine.”
Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, underlined:
“This exhibition is especially important for Ukrainians today. We have been caught between two propaganda machines—Nazi and Soviet. Our narrative was written not by us. And today we see the same patterns again, as Russia uses propaganda and disinformation against us. That is why this exhibition matters so much. It is based entirely on archives and documents, because the only way to counter propaganda is through facts. Our strength lies in truth.”
Other partners highlighted the role of archives and education:
Kyrylo Vyslobokov, Director of Archival Information Systems:
“Archives are not only the foundation of historical memory, they are also tools in the struggle against hostile propaganda. The museum space adds emotional resonance to the dry facts of archival documents, making us truly feel history.”
Maria Mizina, Curator, Babyn Yar’s ‘Living Memory’ Exhibition Center:
“This exhibition shows how propaganda makes violence possible. It combines international and Kyiv-based sources—from archival posters to unique visual testimonies. We present both the facts and the mechanisms of propaganda, to help people learn how to resist it. Let this exhibition help us recognize deception today—and refuse consent to evil.”Mykhailo Alekseienko, Curator, ‘Living Memory’ Exhibition Center:
“The basic principles of propaganda have changed little since World War II. They have only been refined—and can serve as powerful weapons. This exhibition is a reminder of the danger of distorted information, which Russia is exploiting against us today. May we never forget the lessons of history, and never lose our critical thinking.”Oleksii Moroz, Curator, ‘Living Memory’ Exhibition Center:
“Propaganda can kill—we see this in history, and we see it today. As Marian Turski, a survivor of Auschwitz, said: ‘Auschwitz did not fall from the sky.’ Neither did Babyn Yar, nor the war we are living through now. This exhibition shows how propaganda manipulates, distorts, and rips words out of context. It happened then, it happens now, and unfortunately it will happen again. That is why this exhibition matters so deeply: it reveals a mechanism that repeats. Our duty is not to kill—with words, with deeds, or with indifference.”
The exhibition is on view at the Living Memory Exhibition Center of the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve through December 31, 2025. Admission is free.
Exhibition details:
📍 Address: Living Memory Exhibition Center, 46A Yuriy Illienko St., Kyiv
🗓 Duration: September 28 – December 31, 2025
🕘 Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 | Sat–Sun 11:00–18:00
🎟 Free admission