On January 27, 2025, the XVIII Roundtable Discussion on "Ukrainian Society and Holocaust Memory: Legacy and Contemporary Challenges" took place in Kyiv to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The event, organized by the Ukrainian Center for Holocaust Studies with the support of the Goethe-Institut in Ukraine and the House of Europe program, provided a platform for discussing the preservation of historical memory and museum work amid the ongoing war.

The roundtable was opened by representatives of the organizing institutions and diplomatic missions, who emphasized the significance of Holocaust remembrance in today’s world. Rosa Tapanova, Director of the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve, addressed the participants, underscoring the enduring relevance of Holocaust memory for contemporary society.

"Commemorating the victims of past tragedies takes on new meaning when war crimes are once again being committed in our time. We cannot change history, but we can influence how society understands it today".

Throughout the event, experts examined the challenges of Holocaust remembrance in both Ukrainian and international contexts. Historian Vitaliy Nakhmanovych explored the complexities surrounding the future Babyn Yar Museum, analyzing various perspectives and ongoing public discussions. Representatives from the National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide and Territory of Memory Genocide Museum in Odesa shared insights into their work, discussing how their exhibitions have been adapted to reflect contemporary realities.

Participants were also introduced to the "Paths of Memory" project, which takes a multidisciplinary approach to commemorating genocide victims through exhibitions, theater, and educational initiatives.

The discussion also focused on Holocaust education. Speakers addressed the challenges of teaching this history to young people in times of war, the current needs of university educators, and specialized educational programs, including the International Certificate Program in Jewish Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

A key highlight of the roundtable was the presentation of the newly opened exhibition at Babyn Yar, "A Century of Ukrainian-Jewish History: Photographs and Stories 1920–2024", organized by the Centropa Institute for Jewish History. The exhibition was introduced by Edward Serotta, Centropa’s founder, who emphasized its role in connecting historical narratives with contemporary understanding.

"This exhibition illustrates how the lives of Jews and Ukrainians have been intertwined over the past century. Our goal is not just to document history, but to help people see how the past shapes the present," said Serotta.

The exhibition is open to visitors at the "Living Memory" exhibition center on the grounds of the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve until February 28, 2025.

Location: 46A Yurii Illienko St., Kyiv

Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission: Free

Photo: Kseniia Podolska