David Blaine at Babyn Yar: On Memory, Roots, and Identity

American illusionist and performer David Blaine visited the National Historical and Memorial Reserve “Babyn Yar”

David’s mother was born in Odesa, and this was not his first visit to Ukraine. For him, the trip is not only about discovering a country, but also about reconnecting with his own roots and family history.

Together with Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, David paid tribute to the victims of Babyn Yar, visited the exhibition center “Living Memory” and learned more about the history of this place.

As a token of remembrance, we presented him with a book about the Reserve’s work and a commemorative gift. In return, he left us his autograph.

At a time when Russia is deliberately trying to erase not only Ukrainian cities, but also memory itself — destroying homes, museums, archives, and memorial sites — conversations about roots and identity become especially important.

Because knowing where you come from is not simply about the past. It is about having an inner foundation.

A person disconnected from their history is easier to manipulate, easier to convince that they belong nowhere. Someone who knows their story is much harder to erase.

That is why Babyn Yar exists not only as a place of mourning, but as a place where memory continues to live.