Conferences

On April 25, 2025, the XXVII annual scientific and practical conference “Zaporizhzhia Jewish Readings–2025” was held in a hybrid format – in person and online. The event was organized by “Tkuma” Ukrainian Institute for Holocaust Studies together with Zaporizhzhia National University with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

The participants were welcomed by the Vice-Rector for Scientific Work of ZNU, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Prof. Hennady Vasylchuk; Director of “Tkuma” Institute, member of the Board of Directors of UJE (Canada) Dr. Igor Shchupak; Dean of the Faculty of History and International Relations of ZNU, Associate Professor, Dr. Olga Maklyuk.

This year's conference brought together over 70 participants – scientists, teachers, public figures, graduate students and students, who worked within three thematic sections:

• Section 1. Traumatic experience of the 20th–21st centuries
• Section 2. The politics of memory and memorial practices in the formation of historical narrative
• Section 3. Literary projections of modes of being: memory, trauma, identity

During the sectional meetings, a wide range of topical issues related to the history of the Holocaust, World War II, genocides of the 20th century, modern approaches to understanding memory, the formation of identity in wartime and social transformations in Ukraine were discussed. A round table was held as part of the conference, during which the participants discussed a number of issues related to building a sustainable European identity of Ukrainian society in wartime.

Among the topics of the reports that were heard during the “Zaporizhzhia Readings” were, in particular, the following: “Rethinking History and the Holocaust as a Classic Example of Genocide” (Dr. Igor Shchupak); “Holocaust Commemoration: Ukrainian Experience” (Dr. Tetyana Hrusheva); “Visual Images of Tragedy: Cinema, Photography, and the Role of Art in Holocaust Education” (Roman Nazarkevych); “Holocaust Allusions in Oral History Narratives of the Contemporary Russian-Ukrainian War” (Dr. Serhiy Bilivnenko); “Artistic Study of Genocide in Daryna Hnatko’s Novel “Diary of a Hopelessly Doomed” (Dr. Valentyna Nikolayenko); “Occupation and the Holocaust in the Mennonite colony of Ostervik in Khortyts'ka (based on the book by G. Werner “The Constructed Mennonite: History, Memory and the Second World War”)” (Dr. Natalia Gorbach) and many other equally important topics.

Based on the results of the conference, it is planned to publish an electronic collection of materials.

Dr. Natalia Gorbach shared her impressions of participating in the conference:

“Almost four hours of work of the philological section within the framework of the “Zaporizhzhia Jewish Readings” is perhaps not a record, but indisputable evidence of the relevance and prospects of the chosen topic, as well as the high scientific level of the participants. It is especially pleasant that the discussion was supported on an equal footing not only by teachers, but also by students and postgraduates. The most valuable result was numerous ideas generated by collective – natural, not artificial – intelligence. And this means that we have the ground for further research. Sincere gratitude to the organizers – for the opportunity for intellectual exchange and professional growth”.

We express our sincere gratitude to all participants for their meaningful presentations, in-depth research, and fruitful discussions.

We wish you further scientific achievements and look forward to new meetings within the framework of future scientific events!