“It is a kind of moral support for our city”

“At our exhibitions we traditionally have live music, live conversation, live photos and, certainly, live books,” said Larysa Ivshyna, Den/The Day’s editor-in-chief in an opening word. “Nowadays many soldiers at the checkpoints read a lot – Den newspaper and our books among others; and I find it exceptional. In cooperation with the defense ministry we send additional books to the frontline on a weekly basis. After all, only well-read, intelligent people are able to change the course of history. On Maidan there were people who read a lot. Furthermore, they had been reading a lot before Maidan happened, they went on Maidan precisely because of it – and now they continue to do so. Had it not been for these well-read elite, we wouldn’t even notice an opportunity. And those people, who read quality literature and press, are now on the battlefields. It’s nice that Den’s Library managed to uproot the soviet mentality a little. Our efforts in many ways secured us the upper hand of Kremlin, which not only wages war for our land, but tries to oust us from our own history. Our Photo Exhibit, which we call ‘the second frontline,’ helps us to preserve our identity. I am sure that only strength, energy, and solidarity can help us survive. And we can see the energy coming from the photos presented here. One in particular that strikes me is Wedding Party by Vladyslav Musiienko, a picture from a hospital – it emanates the energy of feelings, the spiritual strength. I am certain that we are yet to surprise our neighbors, as well as other countries. But for now we need to be confident and determined. I thank you for the warm reception and for the support – we always arrive to those who anticipate us. I hope that ‘the second frontline’ will be of assistance to the first.”

Live music by exceptional performers of Mykola Lysenko Poltava Music College contributed to the memorable chamber atmosphere.

“Now we have an anniversary to the death of Maidan heroes, which left a scar on the soul of every Ukrainian. Den’s exhibition is a kind of chronicle to these events,” said Petro Vorona, Chairman of Poltava oblast council, who invited Den to host an exhibition in his city. “We are back to the days, when the struggle for Ukraine’s unity only began. The presented works are here to remind us that true independence is not easy to win. I am honored to have my invitation accepted by such a respected newspaper, and to have such an incredible exhibition in Poltava. It is a kind of moral support for people who live here. I know that there is also the Route No. 1 issue in the works, dedicated to Poltava. I believe our region will shine as a cultural center of Ukraine. Alas, we were losing the informational battle until recently. And Den, which I personally enjoy reading, had been doing everything to keep us from losing. I wish to once more express my gratitude to Den and to Larysa Ivshyna directly. The work they do is a cultural contribution to all of Ukraine.”

Many scientists and civil servants, who came to get acquainted with the best photos of 2014, thanked to their supervisors for the support to the Photo Exhibit. Indeed, among the exhibition’s partners are Information and communication department of Poltava oblast state administration as well as Volodymyr Korolenko Poltava National University, and personally Professor Mykola Stepanenko, its rector.

“An unprecedented and unique stream of energy opens now in cultural and spiritual life of Poltava region, and all thanks to Den,” said Stepanenko. “It allows us to assess the challenges of today, those that came both before Maidan and after. Browsing through the photos, I see a work of art in each one, and each one demonstrates an unbreakable fortitude of our struggle. We are all saddened and depressed because of the war. And as there are many photos that show the tragedy of our time, some of them still show optimism.”

“THE EXHIBITION ONCE AGAIN CONFIRMS THAT WE SHOULD STAND FOR OUR COUNTRY TO THE END”

The official part was over, but the stream of visitors never ceased. Some of them lingered before every photo, deep in thought. The people had a tough decision to make – they needed to choose the best one. As per the tradition, every visitor has a vote in the nomination “Poltava Audience Award.” Military personnel and musicians were especially straightforward in their expression. Mykyta Danevsky, cadet, repeatedly asserted that the exhibition “once again confirms that we should stand for our country to the end.” And musicians remained there after the official part was over, and even performed impromptu… hour and a half of classical repertoire.

“I was fascinated with Maidan. February 18, 2014 by Volodymyr Tarasov, which shows everything in flames. The other picture I remember well is Maidan. A chronicle by Yevhen Tymchenko, featuring bloodied MIA enforcer. Perhaps the fact that the photo depicts a person on the brink of life and death allows for no indifference,” said Colonel Kyrylo Zlobin, chief of Poltava NCO College of Military Telecommunications and Information Institute, which is a department of State Telecommunications University. “Such exhibitions are worldview-changing. Ukrainians see what is unfolding right before their eyes, and make their conclusions. Den’s exhibition is here for people to evaluate what had happened, and never repeat it in the future. It is necessary to learn our lessons.”