Exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939" opens in Bila Tserkva

On 2 March 2026, the Bila Tserkva Local History Museum hosted the opening of the traveling exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939," created by UJE. The exhibition traces the centuries-old history of Ukrainian-Jewish relations — from the earliest mentions of Jewish communities in Ukrainian lands to the events of the 20th century — offering a broader view of the complex and rich common heritage.

The Jewish community of Bila Tserkva has a long and rich history. Jews began to settle here in the 17th and 18th centuries, making up a significant part of the town's population by the 19th century. The Jewish community played an important role in the trade, crafts, and cultural life of Bila Tserkva. The town was home to synagogues, educational institutions, charitable societies, and various public organizations. Despite the tragic events of the 20th century, particularly the Holocaust, the memory of the local Jewish heritage is preserved thanks to researchers, NGOs, and cultural initiatives such as this exhibition.

The Bila Tserkva Local History Museum has been a key center for preserving the region's historical memory for more than a hundred years. The museum's director, Stanislav Davydkov, welcomed the visitors, emphasizing the importance of such projects for a deeper understanding of the city's history and its multicultural heritage. The host of the opening ceremony was Alisa Chernetska, head of the museum's sector for mobile and stationary exhibitions.

At the exhibition opening, Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., UJE's regional manager in Ukraine, spoke about the organization's activities and its educational and research outreach. He emphasized that the exhibition is designed to help visitors better understand the complex and vibrant history of Ukrainian-Jewish coexistence and to promote open dialogue about the common past, present, and future.

Among the visitors were many school students, for whom the exhibition was an important educational event. They were particularly interested in the All-Ukrainian Student Drawing Competition "Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: Our stories are incomplete without each other." Organized by UJE, the competition encourages students to produce artistic interpretations of the common history of Ukrainians and Jews.

Natella Andriushchenko, who heads the Mitzvah Jewish Society of Bila Tserkva, addressed the audience, advocating for preserving Jewish communal memory and supporting cultural initiatives that foster mutual understanding among communities. She highlighted the special symbolism of holding the exhibition's opening during Purim, a holiday that reminds us of the strength and traditions of the Jewish community and the vital role of historical memory.

Among the guests of honor was Yulia Kovalska, Head of the Culture and Tourism Department of the Bila Tserkva City Council, who thanked UJE and underscored the significant impact such exhibitions have on the city's cultural life and the promotion of its historical heritage.

The opening ceremony was imbued with a special atmosphere thanks to the Rikud vocal ensemble of the Schreiber Family School in Bila Tserkva. It performed the song "Light in You," which became the warmest and most emotional moment of the event. The performance highlighted the vital need to support the younger generation, which is interested in history and cultural heritage and joins such educational initiatives.

After the official part, the visitors had the opportunity to explore the exhibition. They closely examined the exhibits, discussed individual historical plots, and shared their thoughts on the complex but important history of Ukrainian-Jewish relations.

Each visitor received a copy of the lavishly illustrated, insightful catalog A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1914. This book contains a rich selection of historical materials and can be a source for further exploration of Ukrainian-Jewish relations.

Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., Regional Manager, UJE Ukraine