An interactive-multimedia look through centuries
The exhibit “1914. Kyiv. Peace/War” is underway in the Museum of Kyiv’s History
The first interactive-multimedia exposition dedicated to the World War I is held in Ukraine. It was created with the help of over 10 capital’s museums, scientists, and collectors who in a bright and talented way developed the tragic topic of the war with the help of over 400 valuable items. All kinds of artifacts show the chronicle of life of people who were residing in Kyiv a century ago. The exhibit in a lively and exiting way tells about the people of that time: men who were awarded for bravery they showed in battles for their fatherland and devoted heroic women who in that difficult time took care of wounded and maintained the national industry at home.
The exposition is conditionally divided into the topics of peace and war. According to the intention, at first it brings the visitor to the pre-war Kyiv which became a near-front outpost, and later shows the chronicle of the World War I with its achievements and bitter losses. The visitors can see in the stands and showcases the original artifacts, photos, items of culture and folkways, documents and picturesque works of the early 20th century.
In a small hall dedicated to peaceful Kyiv the atmosphere of Kyivites’ everyday life before the war has been recreated: this is a really carefree kingdom of calmness and small sweets of life. It shows the fashionable clothes of that time, industrial goods, examples of money shares, children’s toys and souvenirs, nice Christmas postcards, and touching naive invitation to visit Kyiv. The cultural atmosphere of the city is recreated by billboards and invitation to the theater “to poetic battle of futurists,” where Vladimir Mayakovsky’s poems would be recited. The next wall shows the painting which perfectly illustrated the peaceful life. It was painted by Hryhorii Svitlytsky in 1913 and shows beautiful young girls.
The topic of the World War I is broadly explored in the next halls: here we can see the yellowed photos of famous military commanders, heroes of the World War I, their awards, weapons, and uniforms.
Hryhorii Svitlytsky, SISTER OF CHARITY. 1916
The museum employees also dedicated part of the exhibit to the heroes of the sky: a mannequin of famous aircraft constructor and inventor Ihor Sikorsky in leather suit, and next to it miniature models of his famous planes, C-16 and C-22 stand in a showcase. All Kyivites know well that Ihor Sikorsky graduated from Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and namely here he started his constructor’s activity, and in June 1914 he went on a sensational flight from Kyiv to Petersburg on his famous Ilya Muromets.
It will be noted that far from every historical exhibit causes such a great response in society, but in case with the military theme which is a burning issue today, clearly, everything turned out differently. For all the items are pierced with the “stream of life,” they are connected with real human destinies. These people fought and sought for peace, like we today, therefore that time is perceived very closely.
The organizers defined the main topics of the exhibit as “historical contemplation about the effect the war had on life of the society” and made a successful effort to draw parallel with the war in Ukraine in 2014, sharp 100 years later. The interesting idea was realized in an exciting way; over 400 items of the exposition, as well as the multimedia component, the interactive items and game elements, sensor panels and monitors make the exhibit interesting for visitors of all categories and ages.
The exhibit will be open till January 18, 2015.
