Injection against indifference

Photo exhibition, two readers’ conferences with students and professors, presentation of books – are the numerous opportunities during The Day’s Days in Donetsk to discuss the development of our society and the role of the Donbas in this process. The Day’s Photo Exhibition 2012 opened in Donetsk Municipal Gallery on March 5. There was also held a readers’ conference with students and faculty of the Donetsk State University of Management.

“There are no intelligent choices without intelligent reading,” – a phrase that has become, perhaps, the key statement of the dialogue between The Day’s editor-in-chief with students and faculty of the Donetsk State University of Management. Reading of intelligent books is like an injection against carelessly wasted time, energy, and opportunities. The dialogue with students about the European vector of Ukraine could not leave out the issue of national identity. “We supply the ammunition to pierce the inertia of our society,” Larysa Ivshyna said about The Day’s book series. Only knowing our history, our roots, remembering those, whose names were bombarded with informational post-industrial dirt, we will be able to formulate our position. The Day’s editor-in-chief determined a special place in the future for the Donbas and paid special attention to it. She stated: “When the initiative comes from the young people of the Donbas it is perceived with greater energy and strength. The world sees that we slowly get rid of our dichotomy and our society can breathe with two lungs.”

You can read more about the meetings in Donetsk in the upcoming issues of The Day.

IMPRESSIONS

Liudmyla BATCHENKO, head of the Department of Foreign Economy at Donetsk State University of Management:

“I am very grateful to the organizers of this meeting. It is very significant. It is really important that such format makes substantial things accessible in simple and intelligent ways. In this case it is done through discussions that make us think and reconsider our actions and the relations within the society. The trust that emerged to The Day is important for me. Larysa Ivshyna is an incredibly interesting person, who sees and feels her native land. Her love to culture, history, and modern life in Ukraine can be felt in everything she does. This love to Ukraine filled the room. I am delighted with the project ‘Ukraine Incognita’ and I think that the next step of our partnership will be some form of cooperation. Our Department will gladly participate in the development of the website and in facilitating the internal integration of Ukraine.”

Ihor BLUSHYCH, student of the Department of Foreign Economy at Donetsk State University of Management:

“The meeting made me think about the ways to change our society for the better. We are used to sit still and be passive. But it is time to actively think about and work on healing our society, making it healthy and competitive. Nobody would do it for us. For example, we should have more such meetings where everyone can share their opinion and learn something new. Earlier, the Euro-2012 became a good example of breaking stereotypes about Ukraine for foreigners and about foreigners for us. Live communication can break down barriers and create a new platform for relations.”