“OUR LIFE IS CAPTURED IN THESE PHOTOS”
Vika BARON, fashion designer:
“I am almost tearful. Clearly, it is very hard to perceive all the events reflected by this exhibition. And photos with children seem to restore the balance. I am very grateful to the newspaper that this tradition is maintained annually and has plenty of important senses and visions of the experiences and views each person has contained within themselves. This is tremendous work, and it is pleasant to see so many people looking at the photos with interest. Life is made of creation, which can be both negative and positive. And we see how the amplitude fluctuates both ways. Of course, everyone wants peace and calm. But our life is depicted in these photos, something that gives us a chance not to forget the events of this hard year.”
“PHOTOS IMPRESS WITH THEIR SINCERITY”
Ihor SHUMYLO, former director of the general economic department of the National Bank of Ukraine, adviser to the president of Kyiv School of Economics:
“I am grateful to Den for this Photo Exhibition. Photos of the heroes of modern Ukraine are gathered here, even though antiheroes are present too. But when you look at the children in the photos, you understand that heroes are not fighting for their own fame, but for peace and calm for the whole country. In a year, we have done something that changed the consciousness of every one of us from the inside and keeps changing our country. And the photos reflect that. They impress with their sincerity and truthfulness, there are no false and feigned notes. I remember the photos of today’s war the most. I would call them the lessons of war. But the photos of children are also touching. I wish they had untroubled lives. Den’s exhibition shows pain, happiness, and sorrow. On the one hand, it is very sad, but on the other, it is optimistic. And it is great such exhibition exists now, because every person who comes here is inspired by what they see.”
“I COME TO THE EXHIBITION WITH MY FAMILY EVERY YEAR”
Olha CHUMAK, media relations manager at Coca-Cola Ukraine:
“It was not an easy year, but the Ukrainians pose as true optimists at Den’s Photo Exhibition. If there were more causes for optimism and happiness in the previous years, it is justified: this is the life we had. Today, there is more sadness. However, we believe in the better. When I chose my favorite photos, I caught myself thinking that I was leaving the exhibition with positive emotions. The exhibition shows that perhaps our historic memory has awoken, which contains many centuries of struggle for Ukraine. It is hard for our generation to understand that, because these are new emotions and experiences for it. If we review the whole history of Ukraine, we will see that nothing new is happening. We’ve been through this already. And we needed 23 years for Ukrainians to wake up. A present-day Ukrainian is confident, determined, a bit angry, because there is a need to defend his country. However, he is humane and ready to join efforts for defense. I visit the exhibition each year with my family. I am at work today, but tomorrow I’m coming with my family. It is great such photo exhibits exist today. They help people see what is not always shown on TV news. This is life as it is. Den’s Photo Exhibition displays the world from perspectives you would never pay attention to. It shows life from the side, demonstrates something we are not involved in on a daily basis. This is the important mission of Den’s Photo Exhibition. As a Coca-Cola Company representative, I chose the best photos from the perspective of our company’s development trend. We are an optimistic brand, our strategy is to maintain a responsible attitude towards water, environment, and a healthy lifestyle. And I found these positive features at the Photo Exhibition.”
“EVERYONE CAN SEE THEMSELVES IN ALMOST EACH PHOTO”
Bohdan ANDRUSYSHYN, vice-chancellor for educational work at Mykhailo Drahomanov National Pedagogical University, Ph.D. in History, professor of philosophy:
“All types of Ukrainians are shown at this exhibition: from babies to soldiers who fight in eastern Ukraine. But all these people are equally responsible for the fate of our country. As Remarque said through one of his characters, young does not mean inexperienced. An old person is not necessarily wise, because a person could live a life without going anywhere, doing anything useful, being publicly active. And on the contrary, a young person who has been to Maidan, to the east, can not only talk about their standpoint and experience, but has been able to prove it with actions. In the turbulent days of this year, words and actions became more important than age. The photo we chose as a winner was taken some time during the Maidan events and features a young girl, probably with an active stand in life [photo Age-Old History Protects by Mykola Tymchenko. – Ed.]. Obviously, this is a student who is standing against the background of ancient frescoes. This unites our history, present, and future.
“Works by incredibly talented reporters are presented at this exhibition. Of course, themes from the war in the east and Maidan are dominating, and peaceful life is represented on a lesser scale. But it is good it’s present, because it is not normal for people to live in a total war. We have to live where grass is green and flowers are blooming, where the sun shines and people can rest. But unfortunately, military themes create new heroes in our lives.
“But now such events are more important than ever, because everyone can see themselves in almost every photo. This is absolutely necessary and extremely useful.”
“POSITIVE TOPICS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FAMILY, OUTDOORS, AND AT HOME”
Natalia SHAROMOVA, holder of special prizes from Kyivstar and the Ukrainian Association of Press Publishers for the work Demanding Reader, Kyiv:
“I remembered the photo Flight MH17 by Yevhen Malolietka, showing a torn off arm, which was taken at the Boeing crash site in Donetsk oblast. It catches your eye, and hooks right in. However, there are a lot of light photos at Den’s Photo Exhibition. I work as a photo reporter myself, but since I’m on maternity leave now, I shoot only happy pictures. The Demanding Reader is a light moment of life. I have a small child, oh, and all the things that happen at home sometimes! I decided not to put the camera away because there are lots of interesting moments to catch. Today positive topics in Ukraine can be found in the family, outdoors, and at home.”
“MY WORK WAS A REWARD FOR SUFFERING”
Volodymyr TARASOV, holder of the special UNDP prize for the work Word and Action:
“This exhibition is permeated with patriotism. I am proud of our country! After all the misfortunes, people became more aware.
“Each photo is interesting in its own way, but works that have been nurtured by the soul are especially precious. In particular, you could take good photos of Maidan if you really lived there. When you are by people’s side all the time, you start understanding them and seeing something unobvious.
“My work was a reward for suffering. I have been at Maidan every day for three months. We are virtually writing history. It will be possible to read about this in the books one day, and we will help to preserve these events in people’s memories.”
