Among the viewers of the “Ternova osin” (Thorny Autumn) photo exhibit are local intellectuals, artists, writers, college lecturers, and many young people. After the opening ceremony held in a friendly cheerful atmosphere at the Dhorobychchyna Museum’s Palace of Art, Editor-in-Chief Larysa Ivshyna took part in a public discussion of the most acute topic “How can we win?” at the assembly hall of the Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University of Drohobych.
“Today each has his/her own struggle to fight. This struggle is taking place at the military, political, social, and cultural fronts,” said moderator Olha KOZAR, fifth-year student, Institute of Foreign Languages, Drohobych Pedagogical University. She went on to say that under the circumstances truthful quality information is of the utmost importance, and that Den/The Day has been true to this policy and has accumulated an impressive holding of intellectual initiatives.
“I’d always felt that Ukraine lacked a newspaper rooted in the national ground, its crown reaching for the summits of world achievements, bearing its own interesting fruit the way a tree does in reality,” said Editor-in-Chief Larysa IVSHYNA, adding, “This concept has become our newspaper’s daily visage, thanks to the dedicated effort of the staff. Now each reader can see all those intellectual fruits.”
When asked why Den chose Drohobych as a venue for the photo exhibit, Larysa Ivshyna replied that among the readers are residents of this land that has begotten a number of personalities of world renown: “Sometimes we receive invitations form cities with interesting communities that want to keep up the cultural standard but with few readers. The ratio of readers who prefer quality periodicals is very low in Ukraine. In Drohobych we have readers, contributors, like-minded people, and this is as good as a [formal] invitation.”
The discussion was active, something the participants – college lecturers and students – enjoyed. They posed topical questions relating to cultural guidelines, the development of a civil society in certain localities, and offered analytical comments and substantial reflections.
In response to one such comment, Larysa Ivshyna said: “European integration has from the outset required integration within Ukraine and such integration must have a high ‘meeting point.’ You can’t place one region against another and say now you two make a deal. There must be a meeting point above and it can be made only by processing what we know about ourselves, what is close and dear to us, what we have suffered to gain.”
Drohobych residents wanted to know more about education for the younger generation, how to find common values for a dialog between cities, the place of journalism in the state-building process, and so on.
After the discussion, toward the end of the first day in Drohobych, Roman PASTUKH, member of the National Writers’, Journalists’, and Ethnographers’ Unions, admitted that he hadn’t seen such an interesting event in Drohobych: “I’ve lived here for 40 years, I’ve seen many public events, launches of projects, creative meetings, but never on such a high intellectual and patriotic level.”
The most active participants in the discussion were awarded copies of books of the Den/The Day Library Series. Larysa Ivshyna launched this year’s publication, Ukraine Incognita. TOP 25, in Ukrainian, Russian, and English, a sequel to the library series. Copies of this book are already in many home libraries in Drohobych.
“Den-2014” Photo Exhibit is underway at the Palace of Art, Drohobychchyna Museum (38 Shevchenko St.). Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. More on the subject in the next issue.
Mykhailo SHALATA, member of the National Writers’ Union, honorary citizen of Drohobych, contributor to Den:
“Den is an interesting, quality newspaper with a large reading audience. Without a doubt, what happened today was more than a cultural event and people were willing to attend it. They were eager to see something that doesn’t often happen at a regional center. Each sincerely appreciated Den’s dedicated effort. Such trips are very important because you can’t learn much without communicating with people who are making history, without sharing ideas. This newspaper broaches a lot of very important subjects, above all those pertaining to history which is cyclic. Recently we marked the centennial of the Sich Riflemen and we contributed the best article to Den, written by the top Sich Rifleman, Osyp Dumin, from Drohobych region. It is being reprinted and copies will be sent to the ATO area to uphold morale. One has to be reminded of one’s national history because events tend to repeat themselves. Den is doing just that.”
“In 1918, Muravyov’s bandit army was advancing on Ukraine and we had diplomatic relations with Moscow. We asked them what a regular Russian combat unit was doing in Ukraine without declaring war. Moscow told us a lie, denying its presence. Exactly what’s happening today. During the discussion I wanted to read a quote that I’d specially copied, considering the topic, ‘How do we win?’ In 1918, a Sich Rifleman general said: ‘No one will get the better of us if we, the entire people, form a single solid wall. There are some 50 million of us. Isn’t this enough to form a [strong] force? [All we need is] unity, staunchness, and determination. Not those parties, squabbles and programs. There is only one program: Ukraine and its enemy.’”
“This is how we can win. Den broaches very acute subjects. They have to be studied. This helps open one’s heart for prayer, for a lofty patriotic effort. After this meeting I will propagate this periodical even more actively.”
NEWSPAPER WITH A GREAT RANGE
Roman PASTUKH, member of the National Writers’, Journalists’, and Ethnographers’ Unions:
“What has Drohobych gained from this visit by such a strong Den team? This has allowed it to rise a bit higher and take a better look at Ukraine, to look at it from an intellectual height where Den has been guiding and encouraging all of us to ascend. I believe this is one of the main accomplishments of today’s meeting. Another thing that has impressed me is the range of this periodical and its 19 projects. Each such project shows enough determination in the first place; second, initiative, and third, implementation. I’d like to point out that creative projects such as the ones organized by Den, like the one here in Drohobych, are very difficult to arrange. It is important to make such trips to the regional centers and beyond their borders – precisely what you are doing.
“The result of this meeting will remain and will bear fruit. The seeds you have planted will sprout. This is a great accomplishment of your newspaper. Your current task is to awaken Ukraine. God bless and Godspeed!”
SOMETHING TO BE LEARNED, HEARD, AND SEEN
Natalia KOTOUS, second-year student, Faculty of Philology, Drohobych State Pedagogical University:
“As I stepped inside the exhibition hall, I became aware of a special aura of culture, memory, and pride. The first couple of photos gave me goosebumps. I didn’t have to walk far to find pictures that arrested my attention because each was saturated with the Ukrainian Idea, each was captivating, each made my eyes run. One has to know about such things, but seeing is believing, and the photos on display were graphic proof. I was especially impressed by a photo with a girl in a wheelchair, with a man embracing her, a bride and groom near hospital beds. This incredible picture is instantly imbedded in your heart and mind.”
