The event, held to mark the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s Independence, was attended by, among others, representatives of the Ukrainian community, Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago Kostiantyn Vorona, and Lesia Yastrubetska — an expert of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation, Doctor of Economic Sciences, and Professor at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.
She emphasized:
“The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is part of Ukrainian identity, which we must preserve and pass on to future generations. Today, telling the story of our cultural heritage abroad is also a reminder of Russia’s crimes against Ukraine, in particular the destruction of cultural landmarks. That is why it is important to combine cultural diplomacy with advocating for Russia’s international accountability, in particular through the #UnRussiaUN initiative, aimed at expelling the Russian Federation from the United Nations.”
The exhibition brings together photographs from the late 19th to the early 21st century. They show how the architectural ensemble of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has changed over time, and tell the stories of the people whose lives and work are connected with it: monks, museum workers, pilgrims, and tourists.
The exhibition not only introduces visitors to the centuries-old history of the Lavra but also draws attention to the responsible preservation of cultural landmarks. Amid Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, presenting such projects internationally is an opportunity to tell the world about Ukrainian heritage and the need to protect it.
On October 17–18, parts of the exhibition are presented as part of Open House Chicago — an annual cultural event during which visitors can explore the city’s architecture and historic sites.
The exhibition can be seen at four locations in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village:
- Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art;
- Ukrainian National Museum;
- St. Nicholas Cathedral;
- Saints Volodymyr and Olha Cathedral.
At each location, English-speaking guides will tell visitors about the exhibition and the history of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. In this way, Ukrainian cultural heritage becomes part of a broader introduction of international audiences to the history and culture of Ukraine.
After Open House Chicago ends, the exhibition will continue at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. The photo project was previously presented in Washington and New York.
The exhibition was prepared and organized by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the National Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Preserve, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA, the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago, the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN, Nova Ukraine, and the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation.
