Conferences

On September 24–25, a scholarly conference took place in Dnipro, organized by the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, the University of Customs and Finance, the Tkuma Institute, and other partners. The theme of the conference was “Individual Self-Realization under Totalitarianism in the 20th Century: Constraints, Resources, and Strategies for Preservation.” The event brought together historians, psychologists, philologists, public figures, and service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The participants focused on ways to resist totalitarianism, preserve human dignity and personal freedom under the Nazi and Soviet regimes, as well as in the face of contemporary Russian aggression.

During the opening, Oleksandr Alfyorov, Director of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, emphasized the importance of establishing a Ukrainian perspective on history and countering Russian historical propaganda. Viktor Chentsov, Vice-Rector of the University of Customs and Finance, linked the conference’s theme to current challenges facing Ukrainian education amidst the war. The participants were also addressed by Azad Mamedov, Acting Director of the Holodomor Resistance Museum in Dnipro, and Brigadier General Yevhen Lasiichuk, Commander of the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Prof. Vladyslav Hrynevych delivered a keynote lecture titled “From ‘Red Imperialism’ to Contemporary Russian Imperialism: Continuity and Transformation.” He analyzed the common features and shifts in the imperial policies of Tsarist Russia, the Bolshevik regime, and contemporary Russia.

Special attention was devoted to the experience of the Ukrainian dissident and human rights movement. Participants watched a presentation – recorded specifically for the conference – by Prof. Myroslav Marynovych, a prominent Ukrainian philosopher, theologian, dissident, and human rights activist. His reflections on resistance to totalitarianism complemented presentations on the life paths and struggles of Ukrainian dissidents.

Issues of historical memory, the Holocaust, and the persecution of Ukrainian religious communities occupied an important place in the program.

Dr. Yehor Vradii, Deputy Director for Research at “Tkuma” Institute, delivered a presentation titled “Contesting Identity Through Memory: Holocaust Commemoration in Ukraine in the Post-War Decade.” Drawing on archival documents, newspaper publications, and testimonies, he examined the specific features of the commemoration of Holocaust victims in post-war Ukraine.

Oleksandr Ihnatusha, a professor at Zaporizhzhia National University, presented a paper on the Soviet construction of the image of a “hostile UAOC” and the use of the persecution of the church as a tool to subjugate the consciousness of Ukrainians.

Dr. Igor Shchupak, together with psychologist Liudmyla Kozina, prepared a presentation titled “The Motivation Behind Ukrainians Rescue Jews During the Holocaust: A Psychological Dimension.” They examined specific instances of Jews being saved, as well as the socio-psychological factors that influenced the attitudes of various communities toward the Holocaust. The presentation sparked a lively discussion and prompted questions from the audience.

The conference served as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, the exchange of research approaches, and reflection on the historical experience of resisting evil. The participation of Ukrainian service members –who are currently defending Ukraine’s freedom and independence – lends particular significance to this discussion.

Video recordings of the presentations are set to be released on YouTube, making the conference findings accessible to a wider audience.