Vyshhorod hosts the exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939"

Posted On: July 23rd, 2026

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

After the grand opening of the exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939" in the Vyshhorod Municipal House of Culture "Enerhetyk," 15 June 2026.

On 17 May 2026, the Vyshhorod Municipal House of Culture "Enerhetyk" hosted the opening of the exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939," created by UJE. The event became an important milestone on the exhibition's cultural and educational itinerary, designed to showcase the centuries-old history of coexistence between Ukrainians and Jews, their interactions, cultural influences, and shared historical experience.

Lesia Svystun, Director of the Vyshhorod Municipal House of Culture "Enerhetyk," opened the event and invited everyone to continue their cultural engagement and participate in the center's future artistic and educational activities. To conclude the gathering, she performed the Ukrainian folk song "A Bird Flew Over the Water" for the audience.

Lesia Svystun, Director of the Vyshhorod Municipal House of Culture "Enerhetyk," opens the grand event. 15 June 2026.

In his welcoming address, Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., UJE's regional manager in Ukraine, emphasized the vital importance of preserving historical memory and fostering intercultural dialogue. He highlighted UJE's core activities and key initiatives, while outlining the exhibition's history and central goal: to promote a deeper understanding of the centuries-old relationship between Ukrainians and Jews. Additionally, Hrynevych detailed the traveling exhibition's tour itinerary, underscoring its cultural significance for communities across various regions of Ukraine.

Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., UJE's regional manager in Ukraine, presenting the organization's activities and the exhibition project. Vyshhorod, 15 June 2026.

Attendees were treated to a video presentation that captured the exhibition's creation, preparation, and multi-year tour across Ukraine. The video allowed visitors to immerse themselves even further into the project's concept, showcasing its previous iterations across Ukraine and internationally. The video is available for viewing on our YouTube channel.

Attendees of the grand opening watch a screening of the video "UJE's Museum and Exhibition Project" during the exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939." Vyshhorod, 15 June 2026.

Historian and philosopher Anatolii Horovy pointed out that the exhibition reflects the complex relations between Ukrainians and Jews, while demonstrating that Russian imperial aspirations were always the shared enemy behind the national oppression of both peoples. Furthermore, Horovy remarked that Zionist theorist Ze'ev Jabotinsky was one of the first to discern the true strength of the Ukrainian culture and spirit.

Historian and philosopher Anatolii Horovy delivering his speech. Vyshhorod, 15 June 2026.

Lesia Svystun, Director of the Vyshhorod Municipal House of Culture "Enerhetyk," performing the Ukrainian folk song "A Bird Flew Over the Water," 15 June 2026.

Guests were also introduced to the "Rushnyk of Victory — Tree of Life" project, an embroidered cloth crafted by local community artisans in collaboration with the staff of the "Enerhetyk" Municipal House of Culture. This project serves as a symbol of Ukrainian strength, memory, and unwavering faith in Victory.

Presentation of the "Rushnyk of Victory — Tree of Life" project, an embroidered cloth crafted by artisans of the Vyshhorod community in collaboration with the staff of the Vyshhorod Municipal House of Culture "Enerhetyk," 15 June 2026.

Oleksandr Rostovtsev, Deputy Chairman of the Vyshhorod Raion Council, attended the event as a guest of honor. He highly praised the exhibition's significance and its vital role in preserving historical memory and fostering intercultural dialogue.

Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., UJE's regional manager in Ukraine, presenting Oleksandr Rostovtsev, Deputy Chairman of the Vyshhorod Raion Council, with a set of books published with UJE's support, 15 June 2026.

Anastasiia Baryshnikova, PR Director of the Rabbi Nachman of Breslov International Charitable Foundation, was also in attendance, providing media coverage of the exhibition's grand opening.

Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., UJE's regional manager in Ukraine, presenting Lesia Svystun, Director of the Vyshhorod Municipal House of Culture "Enerhetyk," with a set of books published with UJE's support, 15 June 2026.

After the official part, visitors explored the 20-panel exhibition, actively discussing the materials and sharing impressions. An important addition to the event was the distribution of over a hundred copies of the catalog A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1914, which visitors received as a gift.

Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., UJE's regional manager in Ukraine, presenting historian and philosopher Anatolii Horovy with a set of books published with UJE's support, 15 June 2026.

Vladyslav Hrynevych, Jr., UJE's regional manager in Ukraine, presenting Oleksandr Zubchenko, historian and Deputy Director of the Vyshhorod Historical and Cultural Preserve, with a set of books published with UJE's support, 15 June 2026.

Scenes during and immediately following the grand opening of the exhibition "A Journey Through the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: From Antiquity to 1939" at the Vyshhorod Municipal House of Culture "Enerhetyk," 15 June 2026.