Local exhibition shines a light on tragic history of Ukraine

It was the US Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King who famously said: “Injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere,” a sadly appropriate quote in the introduction to a new exhibition tracing the history of Ukraine, which has been officially opened in Athlone Library.

Through 53 large panels ‘Not to be Forgotten' traces historical events from the 1917 Bolshevik coup to the collapse of the USSR in 1991, revealing little known pages from the tragic history of Ukraine during the Communist period.

Tatiana Krol, the Athlone-based teacher and facilitator of the new exhibition in partnership with Westmeath Libraries and Arts, at a moving launch event recently, encouraged the public to come and learn about her home country's tragic past which, sadly, is influencing the present-day conflict.

“All of the crimes of Communist totalitarianism were carried out in strict secrecy; therefore, most people throughout the world have little inkling of the history of Ukraine and at what price this second largest European country (territory and population) became an independent state in 1991,” she remarked, before a large attendance, including a big group from the Ukrainian community in Ireland, both local, many recently arrived to the Creggan Court Hotel, and from further afield in Dublin and Dundalk.

This exhibition, she said, produced by the Kyiv City Organisation with historian and professor Dr Yurii Shapoval, exposed “historical and political myths created by the Soviet totalitarian regime and being propelled by Moscow to this day”.

An understanding of these historical events forms the background to Russian Ukrainian relationships and will demonstrate that the likening by some leading politicians of “the two people as brothers” is “entirely erroneous,” added the local teacher, who was accompanied to the launch by her mother Olena, who managed to flee Ukraine in recent weeks with Tatiana’s father to safety in Ballymahon.

Other speakers on the night included Serhiy Balan of AURI – The Association of Ukrainians in Ireland and Michael Baskin of UCCI – The Ukrainian Crisis Centre in Ireland and Tatiana Bulakh (AURI - The Association of Ukrainians in Ireland), who all spoke of their pride at the launch of the exhibition about Ukraine's tragic history at such a challenging time for them personally and their country.

Indeed, Tatiana Bulakh went as far as saying the exposition tells the story of the current conflict and its “deep roots” to provide a better understanding of why Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and democracy, reminding the attendance that the Ukrainian motto is 'freedom or death'. With tears in her eyes, Tatiana spoke briefly of her 81-year-old mother who refuses to leave her home city before she proceeded to thank everyone in Ireland for their generosity to her homeland.

Earlier, Arts Officer with Westmeath County Council Miriam Mulrennan enthused that the Library and Arts Service in the council were “privileged and honoured” to be able to “give voice to your exhibition” which is incredibly important at this time.

“There is a lot to take in, and a lot to read, but we need to learn and we need to read this. We deeply, deeply appreciate you giving us the opportunity to do so,” she said before thanking the many members of the Ukrainian community from near and far who helped them and came out in such numbers.

Extending a Céad Míle Fáilte to all Ukrainians now based in Athlone, the Cathaoirleach of Westmeath Westmeath County Council Cllr Frankie Keena noted that using our “public spaces to deepen our awareness of our Ukrainian friends is important - and whether this is through dance, theatre, song, visual art or literature - we are honoured to be able to host these expressions, now and in the future.”

Deeply aware of the challenges they face, he said the process of establishing a new life in Westmeath is an ongoing one, and it requires many things.

“It requires not only mutual respect and understanding, but also a dynamic and multi-faceted approach to engaging in the social, economic, civil, and political life of the county.

“Cultural activities are a universally-understood language and gateway into facilitating this. I do hope that this will be the first of many such cultural encounters.”

The event concluded on a very emotional note with some beautiful music and song from Ukraine, the first of which left most of those present wiping their eyes even with a language barrier. It was an acapella song by a young girl Amalia, whose moving delivery conjured up comparisons with the likes of Carrickfergus or other powerful Irish emigrant songs longing for a place far away.

I was not surprised then, later to find it was an ode to her home city called 'My Kviv' and as many others joined in, I looked around the room to see a community united but also in tears for what they have already lost.