The exhibit, created by the International Institute of Jewish History Centropa and currently on display at the Babyn Yar National Historical Memorial Preserve, highlights the intertwined histories of Ukrainian and Jewish communities over the past century.
A Century Through Two Lenses
The exhibition is divided into two parts. The first showcases over 260 interviews and 3,000 archival photographs that document the lives of Jewish communities in Ukraine before and during the Holocaust. The second part features contemporary photographs by Edward Serotta, the American founder and director of Centropa, as well as works by Ukrainian photographers Maksym Levin and Taras Kovalchuk, depicting Jewish life in Ukrainian cities such as Lviv, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Odesa, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Kharkiv during the ongoing war.
Among the stories highlighted is that of Elvira Borts from Mariupol, who survived the Holocaust and later endured Russian bombings in 2022. Her grandson Mark, a defender of Azovstal who was held captive and freed in November 2022, attended the exhibition. Another moving moment at the opening was the presence of the mother of Maksym Levin, the photojournalist killed during Russia's aggression in 2022, whose work is a central feature of the exhibit.
Rosa Tapanova, Director of Babyn Yar National Historical Memorial Preserve, emphasized the significance of the exhibition:
"The stories shared here are not only about the Holocaust, Soviet repressions, or the current war. They remind us how our diverse communities have lived together, influencing one another and building a multicultural, multinational Ukraine. Today, we are fighting to ensure our collective future is one of tolerance and respect for human dignity".
Edward Serotta, photographer and Centropa’s director, reflected on the motivation behind the exhibit:
"While documenting the lives of Jewish communities in Ukraine, I came to understand that these stories are about humanity and resilience. This exhibition preserves the memories of those who faced incredible hardships and reminds us of the value of life and our responsibility to act".
Serhii Bieliayev, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, remarked:
"Today, Ukraine is again fighting for freedom and the right to remain a multicultural and multinational state. These stories show us that even in the most difficult times, people strive to live, love, and support one another. Projects like this allow us to remember the past and see how strength and resilience can endure any challenge".
Anatolii Podolskyi, Director of the Ukrainian Center for Holocaust Studies, highlighted the exhibit's importance:
"This exhibition is a poignant reminder of the importance of remembering and acknowledging our shared history. Through education, respect, and dialogue, we can build a society where tragedies like the Holocaust never happen again".
The exhibition is open until February 28, 2025, at the “Living Memory” exhibition center, located at 46A Yurii Illienko Street, Kyiv.
Visiting hours are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and admission is free.
The project is made possible with the support of: The Jack Buncher Foundation (Pittsburgh), The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation (Los Angeles), The German Foreign Office (Berlin), Stiftung EVZ (Berlin), Embassy of Austria in Ukraine.
