On January 27, under the commemorations organized by “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” the opening of the exhibition “Nazi German Death Camp Konzentrationslager Auschwitz” developed by the Polish State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau was conducted. The exhibition is held with the support the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Donetsk and the Polish State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The grand opening was joined by Detlef Voltaire, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Donetsk and Jan Zdanowski, Vice Consul of the Consulate General of Poland in Kharkiv; professionals of science, culture and education, public figures, representatives of Dnipropetrovsk Jewish community, religious leaders, clergy and the general public.
Representatives of the European Commission, who arrived to Dnipropetrovsk with humanitarian mission, also attended the event. Among them there were Christ Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid; Yan Tombinskyy, Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation in Ukraine; Oldrich Andrysek, UNHCR Regional Representative; Claus Sorensen, Director-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO); Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine; Barbara Manzi, Head of the UN Office in Ukraine for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
On January 27 in Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” near the panorama “Babi Yar – “Babi Yars” of Ukraine” the Memorial Ceremony to the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day was held. Officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the United Nations, members of the EU Delegation, religious leaders of different faiths, representatives of the Dnipropetrovsk Jewish community, the media and general public joined the ceremony to commemorate victims of Nazism.
Solomon Flaks, Chairman of the Council of Jewish veterans, retired colonel, opened the ceremony. After him the floor was taken by: Yonatan Leifer, Director of JDC Programs in Eastern Ukraine; Vasyl Kostytsky, Chairman of the National Expert Commission of Ukraine Protection of Public Morality; Faina Vynokurova, Deputy Director of the State Archives Vinnytsia region; Oleksandr Fridkis, Executive Officer of Jewish Religious Community; Rev. Simeon, Bishop of Dnipropetrovsk and Pavlograd of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate; Ramazan Kurbanov, Head of the Muslim Religious Community of Dnipropetrovsk.; Vasyl Pantylyuk, Cane. of Donetsk Exarchate of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
On January 27-28 pedagogical seminar dedicated to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, attended by history teachers and educators from all over Ukraine, was held. The seminar provided for the exchange of experience in teaching the World War II and the Holocaust history; discussion of the possibilities of using educational potential of these topics and problems of teaching the World War II and the Holocaust history during the current war against Ukraine.
The seminar program was quite diverse and included many activities.
On January 26, Kyiv hosted the opening of the exhibition “Auschwitz Concentration Camp – Ukrainian Dimension. Research, Documents, Testimonies” dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The organizers of the event are: the National Museum of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, the G.S. Pshenychny Central State Archive. Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” and “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies took part in creation of the exhibitions. Our Museum handed over a number of unique exhibits that would be on display at the Museum of the Great Patriotic War along with other exhibits.
Press Center the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany distributes press release regarding opening of the exhibition dedicated to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. We offer it to the attention of our readers.
On January 27, 2015 world recalls the victims of the concentration camp Auschwitz in the seventieth time. Auschwitz, like no other place, represents the horrible crimes that were caused by the German side.
Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” in Dnipropetrovsk opens the exhibition “Nazi German Death Camp Konzentrationslager Auschwitz” in order to commemorate the victims of Auschwitz. The exhibition was prepared by the Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau and illustrates the most important aspects of the history of the concentration camp, strengthening of National Socialism and the specific elements of the German terror during the occupation of Poland. The exhibition, along with photographs and documents shows the forbidden art of concentration camp prisoners and postwar testimonies of former prisoners.
On January 18 the next session of the Sunday University was held. However it can be hardly compared with previous ones. The project “the Sunday University” had been working over two years, and the changes were needed to continue its existence. As where is no development there is no life.
This session became the first on the way to reform the project. The lecture format was replaced by interactive dialogue, discussion and hot debates. The content of the session was changed as well. As usual, participants were talking about historical events, but they were considered through the prism of our time, perhaps in even somewhat subjective way because of emotions and beliefs brought by the guests, which were based more on faith than on facts.
Actually, that was the idea. Controversial issues of history and discussion points that divide society were discussed and all those present tried to reach a common denominator. In this way, the theme “Lenin: Bright Past and Totalitarianism” was formulated quite rightly.
Meeting with ATO fighters Oleg Repan and Yuri Fomenko, which took place on January 15th in the premises and with the support of “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust gathered significant audience. The event, initially planned as a very chamber one, attracted many residents of the city. Among the participants there were people of different ages and occupations who came to listen about the events in Eastern Ukraine from the firsthand. Although many participants know about the war in the Donbas from their own experience because a lot of them are volunteers who bring humanitarian aid to soldiers, or visit them in hospitals.
On December 12th – 13th Scholarly Conference with metaphorical title “How to Eradicated Lenin from Ukrainian Mind?” too place in Kyiv. The event was organized by French Embassy in Ukraine, French Institute in Ukraine, Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, European Forum for Ukraine and Center for Research on the Liberation Movement.
Conference participants discussed the problem of overcoming the totalitarian past of Ukraine. The debate was conducted in several dimensions. To be more precise, the discussion on the socio-political and historical issues was conducted at the intersection of sciences such as history, political science, social psychology, economics, culturology, etc. But the main thing that was managed by the conference was an opportunity to exchange ideas and dialogue on the mechanisms and their implementation.
On November 30th the session of Dniprovsky Historical Club took place. The event was timed to the Holodomor Remembrance Day, which is marked in Ukraine on November 22nd. Lyudmyla Hrynevych, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Head of Ukrainian Center for Holodomor Studies run by Kyiv Mohyla Academy became the guest of the session. Prof. Hrynevych is lead researcher of the Holodomor in Ukraine, head of research projects in Canada, the US and Europe, the author of fundamental research “Chronicle of Collectivization and the Holodomor in Ukraine” in four volumes, the first of which is dedicated to the famine of 1928-1929. The lecturer decided to discuss this little-known famine during the meeting of Historical Club. So the topic of the meeting sounded like “Unknown Famine in Ukraine in 1928-1929”.
A number of new exhibitions is preparing in Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”. In particular, information about repressions, genocides of the twentieth century, including the Holodomor, will be presented in the Museum halls. Currently researchers of “Tkuma” Institute and the Museum are working on the development of new exhibitions. And getting advice from leading scholars of Ukraine and the world has become good tradition.
On November 30th, Lyudmyla Hrynevych, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Head of Ukrainian Center for Holodomor Studies run by Kyiv Mohyla Academy, and Vladyslav Hrynevych, Candidate of Historical and Doctor of Political Sciences, I.F. Kuras Institute of Political and Ethnic Studies run by NAS of Ukraine Research Associate, Professor of National University “Kyiv Mohyla Academy” visited the Museum in order to take part in working meeting “Tkuma” Institute and the Museum researchers dedicated to the discussion of new exhibitions.
On November 26th Methodical seminar “Peculiarities of teaching World War II and the Holocaust History in Conditions of Current War Against Ukraine” took place at Regional Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education in Kirovohrad.
Jury Mytrofanenko, assistant professor of the department of theory and methods of secondary education, invited Dr. Igor Shchupak, Director of “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”, and Iryna Piskariova, “Tkuma” Institute and the Museum Educational Programs Coordinator.
The subject suggested for the seminar is now very relevant and has the call in pedagogues’ circle. “Tkuma” Institute receives invitations from Regional Institutions of Postgraduate Education and methodical associations to give the lecture on how to give unbiased information on World War II and the Holocaust history, on Nazism and fascism under the context of Russian propaganda.
On November 24th regular meeting of the working group on preparation of information and methodology materials about events in Ukraine in 2013 – 2014, and the Revolution of Dignity and Russian-Ukrainian war in particular informs the press-service of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The discussion was joined by: Pavlo Polyansky, Deputy Minister of Education and Science; Volodymyr Holovko, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Institute of History of Ukraine NAS of Ukraine; Raisa Yevtushenko, Chief Specialist of General, Secondary and Preschool Education Department at MESU; Oleksandr Palyi, Candidate of Political Sciences, the Institute of External Policy within the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry; Sergiy Terno, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Zaporizhzhya National University; Oksana Cherevko, Associate Professor at the Drahomanov National Pedagogical University; Igor Shchupak, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Director of “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”; Sergiy Janiszewski, Candidate of Historical Sciences, National Institute for Strategic Studies.
On November 21st – 23rd educational seminar “Research”, organized by “Sokhnut” took place. Seminar provided for travelling by the steps of Jewish life in Dnipropetrovsk, Novomoskovsk and Kryvyi Rih.
Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” and “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies workers have joined the realization of the seminar program.
The tour included visiting museums and memorial places. “Research” of Dnipropetrovsk included a visit to Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” and a tour around Jewish places. Both tours were held by Valentyn Rybalka, Research Associate of the Museum and “Tkuma” Institute. In Novomoskovsk the organizers had planned the commemoration ceremony and the visit to local museum. Valentyn Rybalka and Kostyantyn Meshko, Novomoskovsk Museum Worker and active participant of “Tkuma” Institute programs, described the history of Jews in Novomoskovsk. The last place for the researchers to visit was Kryvyi Rih. Svitlana Piddubna, Head of Regional Educational Programs of “Tkuma” Institute, held the tour around Mykhailo Marmer Museum. Moreover, the seminar participants have visited places of Jewish executions in Kryvyi Rih.
Museum lessons for pupils held by “Tkuma” Institute and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” become more and more popular. Teachers of Dnipropetrovsk and the region introduce such lessons to their pupils.
On November 23rd the Museum was attended by the pupils of 10th grade of Petrykivska secondary school together with their History teacher Lyudmyla Reshetnyak. Valentyn Rybalka, Research Associate of the Museum and “Tkuma” Institute, held the introductory Museum tour for the guests.
Iryna Piskaryova, Head of “Tkuma” Institute Educational Programs, has organized lessons of tolerance. In course of interactive lesson the pupils shared their impression on museum exposition and actualized their knowledge on the history of World War II, the Holocaust and other genocides; formed understanding of tolerance and tried to indicate their own level of tolerance.
Finally, the pupils were offered to depict their reflections from what they had seen and heard in picture. Young Petrykika school masters created artistic compositions in bright colors. Pupils explain: although the Museum depicts tragic pages of our history, it also gives hope for revival of the best traditions, makes one believe in better future.
On November 22nd Ukraine commemorates victims of the Holodomor. At this day a range of mourning events took place in Dnipropetrovsk. One of them was held by Armenian community of the city.
People of Armenia are keeping pain from the tragedy in their hearts and memory for about 100 years. The tragedy which later on was determined by the international legal act as “Genocide – a crime against humanity”. They share the pain of the Ukrainian people, because they’ve lost millions of compatriots. The aim of holding the event was, first of all, to honor the memory of people, who became victims of terrible and inhuman actions of bloody regime. The event is organized by Grigor Lusavorich, Armenian Church and “Varduhi” Armenian Cultural Center with the support of D. Yavornitsky Historical Museum, Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” and the Museum “Literary Prydniprovya”.
Leading specialists in the sphere of culture in Dnipropetrovsk met at Cyril and Methodius Regional Universal Scientific Library to discuss All-Ukrainian project “Culture-2025. Platform for Changes”.
This project will cover the whole country and consider different positions and requirements in the sphere of culture and general public. It has begun with strategy sessions in Lviv and Vinnytsia. At present the project has already been discussed in Dnipropetrovsk. Zaporizhzhya, Kharkiv, Odesa and Kyiv are next.
The representatives of culture institutions of Dnipropetrovsk and region – workers of the museums, libraries, creative associations, conservatories, philharmonics, theatres, etc., took part at the discussion in Dnipropetrovsk. Dr. Oleksandra Leonova represented Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” and “Tkuma” Institute at the roundtable.
On November 11th a round-table session “Multimedia and Other Methods of Teaching the Holocaust History and Issues of Tolerance” took place in Dnipropetrovsk. The session was organized by “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”. 18 pedagogues and methodologists have taken part in the event. Erica Fishbein, Claims Conference (Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany) Program Officer has also joined the discussions. In her opening speech she thanked “Tkuma” workers for active educational campaign and called “Tkuma” Institute one of the leading world organizations working on the Holocaust studies.
Round-table was opened by Dr. Igor Shchupak. He stated that involving pupils into world knowledge bank is one of the most important tasks of contemporary education. Using computer system becomes integral part in the study of any subject, including history. “Tkuma” Institute responds to modern challenges, so “Tkuma” Research Associates together with TM “Rozumnyky” have developed multimedia textbook on World history for 11th grade (“World War II”, part 1).
On October 6th –7th All-Ukrainian pedagogical seminar organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine together with “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies took place in Kyiv. The event was dedicated to the discussion of the revised version of the history of Ukraine and World history curricula for general education institutions.
The event was opened by Yuri Kononenko, Director of the Department of Secondary and Preschool Education run by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU). He stressed the importance of the event and the role of history in patriotic education. The Director of the Department is quoted by MESU official web-site: “It is hard to estimate the role of history of Ukraine as an object for study in education at present time”. Raisa Yevtushenko, Chief Specialist of General, Secondary and Preschool Education Department at MESU, noted: “We have received many propositions and comments concerning the curricula during panel discussion”. It should be said that lately for the Ministry’s activity it became peculiar to actively consult with general public, to cover the activity and decision making in mass media, to use informational and communicational technologies in discussion of challenging issues.
On September 29th “round-table” discussion session “Studying the history of World War II and the Holocaust in the Conditions of Current War against Ukraine” took place within the Final of the XI Creative Works Contest. Guests of the exhibition “Dictatorship and” Dr. Detlef Voltaire, Consul General of Germany in Donetsk; Refat Chubarov, the Head of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis; representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, Ukrainian and foreign scholars, teachers and methodologists as well as mass media representatives took part in the discussion.
Nowadays the profession of the history teacher becomes more relevant than ever and the round-table discussion participants noted that the great responsibility is laid on the history teacher. Why do the events of the World War II have something in common with the current situation in Ukraine, how not to stir the old myths on the history of the World War II and not to create the new ones on the events at the East of Ukraine, what is needed to be changed in the school program and manuals – these and many other issues were discusses by the participants.
The main thing is that everyone could express his or her own opinion and to get answers to the questions from the competent representatives of the scientific and educational community.
On September 29th a collection of clocks of gilded bronze and wood dated by end of the XVIII - beginning of XX century was exposed in a new hall of Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”. Most of them were made in France, which in the XVIII - XIX c. turned into the center of the world production of luxury goods, including clocks of gilded bronze. The collection is donated to the Museum by Igor Kolomoisky, Governor of Dnipropetrovsk region.
The first visitors of the hall were finalists of the XIth International Contest “Lessons of War and the Holocaust – Lessons of Tolerance”, representatives of the Dnipropetrovsk Jewish Community and mass media. Tour of the hall was conducted by Dr. Oleksandra Leonova, Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” Head of the Research Department.
On September 29th the official opening of the exhibition “Dictatorship and Democracy in the Age of Extremities: a Focus on European History in the XX century” took place at Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”. The event was organized by Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”, “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies, supported by the German Embassy in Ukraine. 2014 happened to have some key dates: the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War and 75th anniversary of the Second World War, the 25th anniversary of the fall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the 10th anniversary of EU enlargement to the East. The exhibition “Dictatorship and Democracy in the Age of Extremities” is dedicated to these anniversaries. It is prepared by the Institute of Contemporary History in Munich and Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship.
On September 29th a memorial ceremony dedicated to the 73rd anniversary of the executions of Jews in Babi Yar was held at Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”. Traditional lighting of candles in memory of six millions of Jews killed was carried out near the panorama “Babi Yar – Babi Yars of Ukraine”, which is an important part of the Museum. The ceremony was attended by the community leaders, scholars from Ukraine and from abroad, participants and guests of the Final of the XIth International Contest “Lessons of War and the Holocaust – Lessons of Tolerance”, members of the Jewish community, representatives of media. Symbolically, the memorable event was attended by representatives of the Armenian and Tatar peoples, whose history is also tragic – mass murder, repressions, deportations.
The final of the XIth International Contest of Creative Works “Lessons of War and the Holocaust – Lessons of Tolerance” was held on September 28th – 29th. It was organized by “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” with support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Throughout the year, pupils, students and teachers who have decided to participate in the Contest, sent their understanding of “lessons of war and the Holocaust” reflected in research works, development of multimedia, poetry, essays and pictures. This year 353 works were applied for the Contest, including 4 from neighboring countries. However, only 34 of them were recognized to be the best by the supervisory board and selected for the Final. The authors of these works were invited to Dnipropetrovsk, where they submitted their works to the highly competent jury. Dr. Tamara Bakka, Dr. Faina Vynokurova, Prof. Oleksandr Davlyetov, Prof. Tetyana Ladychenko, Dr. Tetyana Meleshchenko, Svitlana Piddubna, Dr. Igor Shchupak were to determine the winners, which was not an easy task to do. The guests invited from abroad also participated in the discussion, among them: Dr. Robert Tatoyan (Yerevan, Armenia), Prof. Malkhaz Tsirikidze (Telavi, Georgia), Dr. Irina Shikhova (Chisinau, Moldova), and others.
In the course of time our perception of history changes. New facts come to light; myths are being ruined or, otherwise, created. “The only duty we owe to the history is to re-write it”, – these words are ascribed to Oscar Wilde. Not all historians agree with this statement. Perhaps, the idea of the writer is to re-write history in accordance with the current reality and facts. Dr. Georgiy Kasianov, Head of Department of Contemporary History at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, commented on this quite concisely: “Re-writing history takes place due to three causes: ideological conjuncture, qualitative changes in historiography and simply change of opinion of the particular researcher. In the first case it may have formal connection with science, preserving different attributes of scientific research, but actually belongs only to the sphere of ideology and politics. The second and the third ones are movers of the historiography as scientific discipline”.
The war in Eastern Ukraine forces not only the residents of Donbas but also the inhabitants of peaceful territories to adjust to new conditions. In this absolutely new situation for the country, which didn’t know any inner or outer armed conflicts for 23 years of independence, the Ukrainians show themselves as active members of society. These are the volunteers in ATO forces, members of volunteer movements, blood donors for the wounded and those who are just doing their work in good faith for the benefit of our country. Citizens of Ukraine felt personal responsibility for the future of the state and thus for their own future.
Since the first days of Maydan “Tkuma” Institute has joined the national Revolution of Dignity, which first of all advocated not the “European way of life”, as pro-soviet and pro-Russian activists like to say, but the universal values. It is those universal values which are the main lesson of the Holocaust and all the history itself. “Tkuma” Institute activity is aimed at the realization of these values from the very beginning of its existence. Right now “Tkuma” Institute in cooperation with Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” continues to perform its mission by holding educational seminars on history (because the historical myths are often used by the anti-Ukrainian propaganda); pedagogical seminars. “Tkuma” Institute and the Museum members, partners and friends take active part in social projects aimed at helping in-migrants.
From 26th to 31st of August about 100 students from all over Ukraine and neighboring countries came together to spend five unforgettable days at summer camp that is annually organized by the Youth Organization “Hillel». The place of the meeting this year was Mankivka – picturesque village located in Uman district of Kyiv region. Atmosphere of true Ukrainian villages and beautiful landscapes set to active rest and intellectual development. Jewish history ñlasses, meetings with interesting guests, work in creative workshops and fun evening activities were held during the camp.
The camp program was prepared and implemented by friendly madrich team under the guidance of Simferopil “Hillel” Director Diana Liebman. “Make it Jewish” – that’s how the slogan of this year’s program sounded and it accurately reflects the main purpose of the youth camp – strengthening of Jewish students’ identity and the revival of Jewish culture and customs.
Late August is hot time for teachers. Teachers spend the last days of summer in active preparation for the new school year, arranging meetings at various levels, discussing the latest developments in the educational system. Each year representatives of “Tkuma” Institute are invited by the organizers to participate in such regional and city meetings. This year was not an exception.
On August 20th, the August regional meeting of the leaders of city and district associations of history, law and social sciences teachers, was held in the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Institute of Advanced Teacher Training (DRIATT), with the participation of Dr. Oleksandra Leonova, “Tkuma” Institute and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” Head of Research Department.
On July14th – August 8th summer school “Jewish History and Multiethnic Past: Discussions and Approaches to Study of Society, Culture and Heritage in Central and Eastern Europe” was held in the Centre for Urban History (Lviv). Eighteen young scholars were selected on a competitive basis to take part in the event, among them – Dr. Oleksandra Leonova, “Tkuma” Institute Research Associate. The school was aimed at drawing attention of the young researchers to multiethnic past of Ukraine. The school focused on the Jewish history and Ukrainian culture and Central-Eastern Europe in general; however it suggested more complex approach, representing different national, social and individual prospects. This particular approach was aimed at giving impulse to historians to implement interdisciplinary approaches and multidimensional aspects of the study of societies, which had multiethnic and multicultural constituent, to encourage introduction of new contexts in researches of the history of Ukraine.
The 9th International Inter-religious Youth Seminar “The Ark” is over. The event was organized on July 19th – 29th and involved 36 participants. Traditionally, representatives of different nationalities (Ukrainians, Poles and Jews) from Ukraine became the participants, but this year Crimean Tatar youth was invited as well.
The main part of the seminar program took place at the Center for Peace and Reunification of the Parish of the Roman Catholic Church of the Visitation of Elisabeth by the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bilshivtsi (Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast)
This year’s seminar program was held under the eloquent slogan “There’s no freedom without solidarity”. The subject was suggested due to the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the first partly-free parliamentary elections in the Polish People’s Republic (which became a watershed not only in the history of Poland but also of a whole number of the countries to which the Yalta agreements were applied, thus causing the decline of the communist regime) and the events, which took place in the Maydan square in Kiev at the turn of 2013/2014. Mass anti-Semitic protests of Ukrainian society which took place in the Maydan square unified Ukrainian citizens of different nationalities in the struggle against the prevailing system of corrupt government.
On 30-31 July research associates of “Tkuma” institute held a number of educational programs on the history of the Holocaust and problems of international relations for the participants of the youth summer camps. In terms of these programs Valentyn Rybalka and Iryna Radchenko held a session devoted to the problems of creating the tolerant society (on the basis of the Second World War and the Holocaust history, as well as using the example of Righteous among Nations), and informed the participants on “Tkuma” Institute and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” work.
On January 27, under the commemorations organized by “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” the opening of the exhibition “Nazi German Death Camp Konzentrationslager Auschwitz” developed by the Polish State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau was conducted. The exhibition is held with the support the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Donetsk and the Polish State Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau.
On January 27 in Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” near the panorama “Babi Yar – “Babi Yars” of Ukraine” the Memorial Ceremony to the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day was held. Officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the United Nations, members of the EU Delegation, religious leaders of different faiths, representatives of the Dnipropetrovsk Jewish community, the media and general public joined the ceremony to commemorate victims of Nazism.
On January 27-28 pedagogical seminar dedicated to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, attended by history teachers and educators from all over Ukraine, was held. The seminar provided for the exchange of experience in teaching the World War II and the Holocaust history; discussion of the possibilities of using educational potential of these topics and problems of teaching the World War II and the Holocaust history during the current war against Ukraine.
On January 26, Kyiv hosted the opening of the exhibition “Auschwitz Concentration Camp – Ukrainian Dimension. Research, Documents, Testimonies” dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Press Center the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany distributes press release regarding opening of the exhibition dedicated to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. We offer it to the attention of our readers.
On January 18 the next session of the Sunday University was held. However it can be hardly compared with previous ones. The project “the Sunday University” had been working over two years, and the changes were needed to continue its existence. As where is no development there is no life.
Meeting with ATO fighters Oleg Repan and Yuri Fomenko, which took place on January 15th in the premises and with the support of “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust gathered significant audience. The event, initially planned as a very chamber one, attracted many residents of the city. Among the participants there were people of different ages and occupations who came to listen about the events in Eastern Ukraine from the firsthand. Although many participants know about the war in the Donbas from their own experience because a lot of them are volunteers who bring humanitarian aid to soldiers, or visit them in hospitals. 
On December 12th – 13th Scholarly Conference with metaphorical title “How to Eradicated Lenin from Ukrainian Mind?” too place in Kyiv. The event was organized by French Embassy in Ukraine, French Institute in Ukraine, Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, European Forum for Ukraine and Center for Research on the Liberation Movement.
On November 30th the session of Dniprovsky Historical Club took place. The event was timed to the Holodomor Remembrance Day, which is marked in Ukraine on November 22nd. Lyudmyla Hrynevych, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Head of Ukrainian Center for Holodomor Studies run by Kyiv Mohyla Academy became the guest of the session. Prof. Hrynevych is lead researcher of the Holodomor in Ukraine, head of research projects in Canada, the US and Europe, the author of fundamental research “Chronicle of Collectivization and the Holodomor in Ukraine” in four volumes, the first of which is dedicated to the famine of 1928-1929. The lecturer decided to discuss this little-known famine during the meeting of Historical Club. So the topic of the meeting sounded like “Unknown Famine in Ukraine in 1928-1929”.
A number of new exhibitions is preparing in Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”. In particular, information about repressions, genocides of the twentieth century, including the Holodomor, will be presented in the Museum halls. Currently researchers of “Tkuma” Institute and the Museum are working on the development of new exhibitions. And getting advice from leading scholars of Ukraine and the world has become good tradition.
On November 26th Methodical seminar “Peculiarities of teaching World War II and the Holocaust History in Conditions of Current War Against Ukraine” took place at Regional Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education in Kirovohrad.
On November 24th regular meeting of the working group on preparation of information and methodology materials about events in Ukraine in 2013 – 2014, and the Revolution of Dignity and Russian-Ukrainian war in particular informs the press-service of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The discussion was joined by: Pavlo Polyansky, Deputy Minister of Education and Science; Volodymyr Holovko, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Institute of History of Ukraine NAS of Ukraine; Raisa Yevtushenko, Chief Specialist of General, Secondary and Preschool Education Department at MESU; Oleksandr Palyi, Candidate of Political Sciences, the Institute of External Policy within the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry; Sergiy Terno, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Zaporizhzhya National University; Oksana Cherevko, Associate Professor at the Drahomanov National Pedagogical University; Igor Shchupak, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Director of “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”; Sergiy Janiszewski, Candidate of Historical Sciences, National Institute for Strategic Studies.
On November 21st – 23rd educational seminar “Research”, organized by “Sokhnut” took place. Seminar provided for travelling by the steps of Jewish life in Dnipropetrovsk, Novomoskovsk and Kryvyi Rih.
Museum lessons for pupils held by “Tkuma” Institute and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” become more and more popular. Teachers of Dnipropetrovsk and the region introduce such lessons to their pupils.
On November 22nd Ukraine commemorates victims of the Holodomor. At this day a range of mourning events took place in Dnipropetrovsk. One of them was held by Armenian community of the city.
Leading specialists in the sphere of culture in Dnipropetrovsk met at Cyril and Methodius Regional Universal Scientific Library to discuss All-Ukrainian project “Culture-2025. Platform for Changes”.
On November 11th a round-table session “Multimedia and Other Methods of Teaching the Holocaust History and Issues of Tolerance” took place in Dnipropetrovsk. The session was organized by “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”. 18 pedagogues and methodologists have taken part in the event. Erica Fishbein, Claims Conference (Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany) Program Officer has also joined the discussions. In her opening speech she thanked “Tkuma” workers for active educational campaign and called “Tkuma” Institute one of the leading world organizations working on the Holocaust studies.
On October 6th –7th All-Ukrainian pedagogical seminar organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine together with “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies took place in Kyiv. The event was dedicated to the discussion of the revised version of the history of Ukraine and World history curricula for general education institutions. 
On September 29th “round-table” discussion session “Studying the history of World War II and the Holocaust in the Conditions of Current War against Ukraine” took place within the Final of the XI Creative Works Contest. Guests of the exhibition “Dictatorship and” Dr. Detlef Voltaire, Consul General of Germany in Donetsk; Refat Chubarov, the Head of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis; representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, Ukrainian and foreign scholars, teachers and methodologists as well as mass media representatives took part in the discussion.
On September 29th a collection of clocks of gilded bronze and wood dated by end of the XVIII - beginning of XX century was exposed in a new hall of Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”. Most of them were made in France, which in the XVIII - XIX c. turned into the center of the world production of luxury goods, including clocks of gilded bronze. The collection is donated to the Museum by Igor Kolomoisky, Governor of Dnipropetrovsk region.
On September 29th the official opening of the exhibition “Dictatorship and Democracy in the Age of Extremities: a Focus on European History in the XX century” took place at Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”. The event was organized by Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”, “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies, supported by the German Embassy in Ukraine. 2014 happened to have some key dates: the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War and 75th anniversary of the Second World War, the 25th anniversary of the fall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the 10th anniversary of EU enlargement to the East. The exhibition “Dictatorship and Democracy in the Age of Extremities” is dedicated to these anniversaries. It is prepared by the Institute of Contemporary History in Munich and Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship.
On September 29th a memorial ceremony dedicated to the 73rd anniversary of the executions of Jews in Babi Yar was held at Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine”. Traditional lighting of candles in memory of six millions of Jews killed was carried out near the panorama “Babi Yar – Babi Yars of Ukraine”, which is an important part of the Museum. The ceremony was attended by the community leaders, scholars from Ukraine and from abroad, participants and guests of the Final of the XIth International Contest “Lessons of War and the Holocaust – Lessons of Tolerance”, members of the Jewish community, representatives of media. Symbolically, the memorable event was attended by representatives of the Armenian and Tatar peoples, whose history is also tragic – mass murder, repressions, deportations.
The final of the XIth International Contest of Creative Works “Lessons of War and the Holocaust – Lessons of Tolerance” was held on September 28th – 29th. It was organized by “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” with support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Throughout the year, pupils, students and teachers who have decided to participate in the Contest, sent their understanding of “lessons of war and the Holocaust” reflected in research works, development of multimedia, poetry, essays and pictures. This year 353 works were applied for the Contest, including 4 from neighboring countries. However, only 34 of them were recognized to be the best by the supervisory board and selected for the Final. The authors of these works were invited to Dnipropetrovsk, where they submitted their works to the highly competent jury. Dr. Tamara Bakka, Dr. Faina Vynokurova, Prof. Oleksandr Davlyetov, Prof. Tetyana Ladychenko, Dr. Tetyana Meleshchenko, Svitlana Piddubna, Dr. Igor Shchupak were to determine the winners, which was not an easy task to do. The guests invited from abroad also participated in the discussion, among them: Dr. Robert Tatoyan (Yerevan, Armenia), Prof. Malkhaz Tsirikidze (Telavi, Georgia), Dr. Irina Shikhova (Chisinau, Moldova), and others.
In the course of time our perception of history changes. New facts come to light; myths are being ruined or, otherwise, created. “The only duty we owe to the history is to re-write it”, – these words are ascribed to Oscar Wilde. Not all historians agree with this statement. Perhaps, the idea of the writer is to re-write history in accordance with the current reality and facts. Dr. Georgiy Kasianov, Head of Department of Contemporary History at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, commented on this quite concisely: “Re-writing history takes place due to three causes: ideological conjuncture, qualitative changes in historiography and simply change of opinion of the particular researcher. In the first case it may have formal connection with science, preserving different attributes of scientific research, but actually belongs only to the sphere of ideology and politics. The second and the third ones are movers of the historiography as scientific discipline”.
The war in Eastern Ukraine forces not only the residents of Donbas but also the inhabitants of peaceful territories to adjust to new conditions. In this absolutely new situation for the country, which didn’t know any inner or outer armed conflicts for 23 years of independence, the Ukrainians show themselves as active members of society. These are the volunteers in ATO forces, members of volunteer movements, blood donors for the wounded and those who are just doing their work in good faith for the benefit of our country. Citizens of Ukraine felt personal responsibility for the future of the state and thus for their own future.
From 26th to 31st of August about 100 students from all over Ukraine and neighboring countries came together to spend five unforgettable days at summer camp that is annually organized by the Youth Organization “Hillel». The place of the meeting this year was Mankivka – picturesque village located in Uman district of Kyiv region. Atmosphere of true Ukrainian villages and beautiful landscapes set to active rest and intellectual development. Jewish history ñlasses, meetings with interesting guests, work in creative workshops and fun evening activities were held during the camp.
Late August is hot time for teachers. Teachers spend the last days of summer in active preparation for the new school year, arranging meetings at various levels, discussing the latest developments in the educational system. Each year representatives of “Tkuma” Institute are invited by the organizers to participate in such regional and city meetings. This year was not an exception.
On July14th – August 8th summer school “Jewish History and Multiethnic Past: Discussions and Approaches to Study of Society, Culture and Heritage in Central and Eastern Europe” was held in the Centre for Urban History (Lviv). Eighteen young scholars were selected on a competitive basis to take part in the event, among them – Dr. Oleksandra Leonova, “Tkuma” Institute Research Associate. The school was aimed at drawing attention of the young researchers to multiethnic past of Ukraine. The school focused on the Jewish history and Ukrainian culture and Central-Eastern Europe in general; however it suggested more complex approach, representing different national, social and individual prospects. This particular approach was aimed at giving impulse to historians to implement interdisciplinary approaches and multidimensional aspects of the study of societies, which had multiethnic and multicultural constituent, to encourage introduction of new contexts in researches of the history of Ukraine.
The 9th International Inter-religious Youth Seminar “The Ark” is over. The event was organized on July 19th – 29th and involved 36 participants. Traditionally, representatives of different nationalities (Ukrainians, Poles and Jews) from Ukraine became the participants, but this year Crimean Tatar youth was invited as well.
On 30-31 July research associates of “Tkuma” institute held a number of educational programs on the history of the Holocaust and problems of international relations for the participants of the youth summer camps. In terms of these programs Valentyn Rybalka and Iryna Radchenko held a session devoted to the problems of creating the tolerant society (on the basis of the Second World War and the Holocaust history, as well as using the example of Righteous among Nations), and informed the participants on “Tkuma” Institute and Museum “Jewish Memory and Holocaust in Ukraine” work.