The Photo Exhibition “Den-2016,” profound literature and two meaningful conversations with Den’s authors – these events will certainly make the mark in people’s hearts and will be encouraging them to think for a long time. Larysa Mamedova, director of Sloviansk Central Library, which was the venue for the photo exhibition, said that a relatively short time (only 10 days) display had seen many school children, young and older people. It caused great interest among people involved in photography – they stopped for the longest time before each photo to analyze its “first, second, and third plans.” “People looked at the photos and were very impressed. They left positive feedback: the exhibition is very professional, very strong, full of meanings,” said Mamedova, regretting the short exhibition’s span in Sloviansk. It was interesting to see the schoolchildren’s reaction to the photos. Library Director concluded: “It is very important nowadays, when we need to raise patriotic kids. And we are very happy that we have such kids. This is what we have seen during the photo exhibition.”
People of Sloviansk will remain in possession of more intelligent books; the central library has an exclusive premium copy of a newly-published book My Sister Sophia... with a special autograph by Larysa Ivshyna. These books will contribute to community development. It was the charity action “Gift the Den’s Library to the School You Went to” that brought our books and subscriptions to the newspaper to all the city libraries and 20 local schools with the support of local businesses: namely Viktor Levit, chairman of the supervisory board of Ceramic Donbas; Serhii Kushnariov, director of SDS company; Oleksandr Semenets, director of the “Sloviansk Union of Ceramics Artisans” NGO.
Photo by Artem SLIPACHUK, The Day
Serhii Kushnariov was also impressed by Den’s action in Sloviansk. He bought sets of books from the Den’s Library series for schools because, as he said, he always supported “educational projects and everything related to Ukrainization and strengthening Ukrainian identity.” “Young people tend to read less now, they perceive information more visually. But those who ‘reach’ the books will have their really high-quality food for thought,” said Kushnariov. “Books are books. They are very prestigious. And it is very necessary. So for our part we do what we can.”
“THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CULTURAL AND PATRIOTIC WORK”
“For the past few years, Sloviansk has seen so much attention that it never enjoyed in all the years of independence. And this trend applies to all cities of Donbas. The level of isolationism of this land before the war was disastrously high, and maybe we could have prevented this tragedy only if there was greater openness. Donbas was closed to information, and it made possible the development of myths that were being put in people’s minds to scare them; some of them still persist, working against Ukraine. Den has made a very interesting collection of photographs to link the past and the present, to represent the deepest imagery, the iconic moments of our history ranging from politics to lives of Ukrainians, who are defending our independence on the frontline or doing everything they can for it in the rear. This is a significant amount of cultural and patriotic work. Each character should be known and remembered,” said MP Natalia Veselova, who was born in Sloviansk. Incidentally, Den’s editor-in-chief has also pointed out that Donbas “was given on lease” to oligarchic groups and the newspaper had to put in great effort to tackle this humanitarian problem at least to a point. The state had shirked its share of work on that...
DEN PUSHES TO UNDERSTANDING OF CERTAIN HISTORICAL PHENOMENA
“Den’s projects inspire, they push to understanding and establishing new points of view on certain phenomena of our country’s history. A photo is a piece of ‘mummified’ time. Vivid illustrations of the frozen characters are the pleasant harmonious face of a soldier on March of the Unbroken and the photo of Kuchma with fear in his eyes. Den is known for its serious and strategic attitude to work, and this characteristic feature finds its embodiment in the photos. It is good that you come here and work on the intellectual level of community,” Fedir, local teacher in Sloviansk, was thankful. His colleague from Mykolaivka, Tetiana Ruslova, added: “I’ve seen the amazing festive atmosphere at the opening, the interesting dialog, the incredible pictures, and all that made the photo exhibition the number-one event in Sloviansk and around. For a long time we have been reading Den newspaper with interest because we consider it to be one of the best media. Now we will explore the newspaper’s Library and inform the young people on what we just read.”
Actually, young visitors are accounted for a large share of the audience at the Sloviansk photo exhibition, for many educators conducted their lessons at the exhibition site. Larysa Butkova, deputy director of School No. 13, commented: “A photo exhibition was a completely new format for the citizens of Sloviansk. And it proved to be the most effective – because of its intimacy and chamber atmosphere, the possibility to easily see things for yourself and make your own conclusions.”
