On February 6 Poltava saw the opening of the Den’s photo exhibit that displays 200 best pictures of 2014. The regional authorities with Governor Petro Vorona at the head invited us to visit it. The first spectators of the exhibit were about 300 residents and guests of the city. A special atmosphere pervaded the opening ceremony in the Poltava Mykola Yaroshenko Art Museum. Among those who waited for the opening from the very morning, were oblast and city councilors, civil servants, students, teachers, and writers. Also impressive was the number of military officers and cadets.
“Our museum displays uncommon photographs full of emotions, worries, and reflections… They reflect the events that did and still do occur in this country. I thank the newspaper Den for visiting our city, for this unique exhibition links Poltava with the cultural heritage of the entire country. After Kyiv, Den 2014 has already been shown in Odesa and Cherkasy, and now all the Poltavians can get acquainted with it,” Svitlana HONCHAROVA, deputy director of the Poltava Mykola Yaroshenko Art Museum, said in her welcoming speech. “Poltava not only begins to rediscover Ukraine through the prism of incredible photos, but also has an opportunity to choose its favorite – a picture that will win the Audience Award.”
“We can all see today our boys, true patriots, making an all-out effort to resist the aggressor. I wish all the people – the grassroots, elected representatives, and officials of all levels – would know this and do the same. We must understand that the future of our country depends on the attitude, spirit, behavior, and firmness of every Ukrainian. The Den’s photo exhibit convincingly shows this. It is very important, timely, and right that the newspaper has highlighted the true elite – counter-terrorism soldiers, Maidan protesters, and volunteers – and showed on its pages and in these pictures that they are heroes,” Poltava Oblast Council Chairman Petro Vorona says. “It is perhaps no accident that only such a newspaper as Den managed to organize such a high-profile and deeply philosophical photo exhibit in Poltava and all over Ukraine. We are all living in a tragic but unique time. It depends on us only what fate this country will meet in the future. Both the newspaper Den and this photo exhibit show that we are strong enough to win. I am thanking Ms. Ivshyna for this beautiful exposition and for visiting us, Ukraine’s spiritual capital. It is a great honor for us.”
Even when the ceremony was over, visitors kept on coming. Some would stand, lost in thought, for several minutes in front of every picture. The people had a difficult task to choose the best photograph. By tradition, all spectators can vote for their favorite picture which will win the Audience Award.
“I can see in the photos a united and sovereign Ukraine that will never cede even an inch of its land to the occupier,” says Valentyna Chemshyt, an executive secretary at the Poltava Oblast Ostrohradsky Institute of Continuing Pedagogical Education. “Almost all the exhibited pictures are permeated with a feeling of patriotism and love of this country as well as readiness to fight for it. I am brimming with emotions when I see the photos of children and wounded soldiers in hospital. Most of all, I liked the works Father’s Courage by Ivan Liubysh-Kirdei, Wedding Party by Vladyslav Musiienko, and Farewell by Mykola Tymchenko. So, I will vote for them. I think Poltavians will give preference to a work of an optimistic and patriotic nature. I wonder which one. I am calling on all Poltavians to visit the Den’s exhibition and appraise these pictures with their heart and soul.”
As long as the exhibition is on, visitors can also buy Den’s Library books. Incidentally, Poltavians are evincing the liveliest interest in our latest products – the book Ukraine Incognita. TOP 25 and the photo album People of the Maidan. A Chronicle. Besides, it was possible during the opening ceremony to subscribe to Den/The Day and acquire albums and Route No.1, a glossy supplement to the newspaper. Incidentally, the next glossy will be about Poltava, and local residents are looking forward to it.
After the opening ceremony, there was a roundtable that discussed Den’s book project and the current challenges to this country. You can read about the most interesting points of this debate in one of the next issues of The Day.
The Den’s photo exhibit in Poltava (Mykola Yaroshenko Art Museum, 5 Frunze St.) will remain open at 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. until March 2, except for Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is free.
