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

Posted On: April 30th, 2026

Posted In: UJE Initiatives, A Journey through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter, Exhibits, Outreach

Visitors at the opening of the exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939," Zhytomyr Regional Literary Museum, 28 January 2026.

On 28 January 2026, the Zhytomyr Regional Literary Museum hosted the opening of the traveling exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939," created by UJE. The 20-panel traveling 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.

Raisa Dolhikh, Director of the Zhytomyr Regional Literary Museum, who moderated the event, emphasized the importance of holding such exhibitions in the city's cultural institutions.

Raisa Dolhikh, Director of the Zhytomyr Regional Literary Museum, at the exhibition's opening, 28 January 2026.

At the exhibition opening, Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., UJE's regional manager in Ukraine, spoke about the exhibition's history and its extensive itinerary across Ukraine. "The main objective is to deepen mutual understanding between Ukrainians and Jews, improving awareness of our common history, culture, and, most importantly, the mutual influence they have had on our peoples. Individuals with a Jewish background want to learn more about their Ukrainian origins: how Ukrainian history has influenced their specific families. Thus, our exhibition focuses not only on the tragic pages of history but also on the mutual cultural exchange. This includes intermarriage, the influence of Yiddish on Ukrainian and vice versa, and mutual influences in religion and on the younger generation. The phenomenon of Ukrainian Jews is gaining more popularity with each passing year," Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., explained.

Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., UJE's regional manager in Ukraine, talks about the organization's activities and the exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939," Zhytomyr Regional Literary Museum, 28 January 2026.

Tetiana Rudenka, head of the Department for Culture and Tourism in the Zhytomyr Region Military Administration, highlighted the value of the exhibition for school and university students in her address: "The local history museum and the literary museum will do everything to hold lectures for children here, so that we remember the Holocaust more than on one day and have the capacity to foster tolerance among children towards various Ukrainian ethnic groups. We need to raise this topic, discuss it, and make sure to tell our children. We will make video lectures, which we will definitely publish on the website of the Department for Culture."

Tetiana Rudenka, head of the Department for Culture and Tourism in the Zhytomyr Region Military Administration, at the exhibition's opening, Zhytomyr Regional Literary Museum, 28 January 2026.

Vadym Pyvovarov, a visitor to the exhibition, said that it resonated with the present: "What is happening in Ukraine today is to a degree similar to something like the Holocaust. What Russia is doing to the Ukrainian people now is practically on the same level as what Nazi Germany did to the Jews in the 20th century."

Oksana Bovkun, Director of the Volodymyr Korolenko Literary Memorial Museum, spoke at the opening ceremony, highlighting the link between Korolenko, a well-known writer and public figure, and the Beilis affair. Korolenko was one of those who openly opposed the antisemitic accusations in that case, defending the principles of justice and human rights. Bovkun pointed out that this kind of historical example is important evidence of the Ukrainian intelligentsia's solidarity and moral position.

Oksana Bovkun, Director of the Volodymyr Korolenko Literary Memorial Museum, at the exhibition's opening, Zhytomyr Regional Literary Museum, 28 January 2026.

A film crew from the Suspilne TV channel was working at the UJE event in Zhytomyr that day. The Suspilne article and video report from the opening ceremony can be viewed here.

After the official part, the visitors had the opportunity to explore the exhibition closely, discuss its materials, and share their impressions. Each visitor traditionally 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.