Traveling exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939" opens in Vasylkiv

On 20 March 2026, the traveling exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939," created by UJE, opened in the Vasylkiv Cultural Center (Kyiv region) with the organizational support of the Vasylkiv Local History Museum. The exhibition introduced visitors to the centuries-old history of relations between Ukrainians and Jews, emphasizing both the complex and, above all, mutually enriching aspects of their common past.

The Jewish community of Vasylkiv, a town with a millennium-long history, was formed over several centuries. Jews have lived here since at least the 18th–19th centuries and played an important role in the development of local trade, crafts, and cultural life. Vasylkiv was home to religious and educational institutions, and the Jewish community was an integral part of the town's multicultural environment. As in many other towns and cities in Ukraine, the 20th century, including World War II and the Holocaust, took a heavy toll on the community. Today, local Jewish history is commemorated through community activities and initiatives such as UJE's exhibition.

Maria Kulivnyk, Head of the Department for Culture, Tourism, and Cultural Heritage Protection of the Vasylkiv Town Council, introduced the exhibition's organizers, underscored the importance of awareness of the common Ukrainian-Jewish history among Vasylkiv residents, and welcomed the exhibition's opening.

Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., UJE's regional manager in Ukraine, outlined the organization's activities and educational and research initiatives aimed at deepening the dialogue between Ukrainians and Jews. He presented a selection of books published with UJE's support to the local educational and public institutions. The books were received by Inna Shypilova, Head of the Education Department of the Vasylkiv Town Council, Maria Kulivnyk, and Viacheslav Zipman, head of the Jewish community in Vasylkiv.

The event attracted more than a hundred visitors, many of whom were students from Vasylkiv's general, art, and music schools. Nearly all the town's history teachers were present, indicating the high interest the exhibition generated among educators.

Of particular interest for art students and teachers was 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. Art students and teachers actively discussed participation, as this format allows for creative interpretations of complex historical topics related to the shared Ukrainian-Jewish past. The competition became an important addition to the exhibition, combining historical education with the artistic self-expression of the younger generation. Another significant component of the event was the participation of members of Vasylkiv's Jewish community, which imbued it with a special atmosphere of fellowship and a commitment to preserving historical memory.

After the official opening ceremony, visitors were able to become more familiar with the exhibits. They carefully examined the exposition, discussed individual historical plots, and shared their thoughts on the complex but important history of Ukrainian-Jewish relations. 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.

Photos: Vitalii Malyk, Vasylkiv Town Council.

Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., Regional Manager, UJE Ukraine