“Thank you for strength and motivation”

It seems that only yesterday the Poltava Mykola Yaroshenko Art Museum celebrated the opening ceremony of the best past year’s photo exhibition, as a part of Den’s Days in Poltava. But the exhibition has already reached its middle point and is heading towards the finish. I turn to the visitors in order to find out the impressions about Den’s Days in Poltava, the first in a decade.

Entering the gallery I see more than two dozen visitors inside. Museum staff says that the display attracted unprecedented attention of the Poltavians: at least a hundred, from children to elderly, come every day to see the works of photography masters. Beside those who come by themselves, there are many organized groups. One of such I saw by my own eyes: a company of freshmen from History department of Pedagogical University attended the Photo Exhibit after the lessons.

The guests do not neglect the book of reviews, constantly writing down their impressions. Many messages are there to express gratitude to Den, but there are no fewer reviews of the exhibit itself. I offer the most interesting to the reader.

Yulia, 12, Poltava: “I liked the exhibition very much. Upon visiting, I am feeling even more patriotic. And I want to thank our warrior heroes for their courage.”

Petrenko T. M., Poltava: “Thank you for the meaningful photo collection! It is hard to restrain my emotions. The artwork has a value both for Ukrainians and for the whole world. With the help of these photos one can fully understand the events and the passion with which we, Ukrainians, are building our happy future.”

Iryna Korol: “It is impossible to choose the best photographer on the exhibit, because each photo is full of Ukrainian spirit and imprints patriotism in the viewers’ hearts! Thank you for the strength and motivation to be firm and resolute! Ukraine united!”

Zakharii Hlushko, a guest from Kharkiv: “The display is very emotional and patriotic. I am grateful to the photographers and documentary makers for recording our history. Let our enemies vanish, and we shall build our happy Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to heroes!”

Anonymous from Kupiansk: “I am a soldier of 92nd Kharkiv Oblast Brigade. I fight in Shchastia. I am for united Ukraine! And thank you very much for the exhibition.”

And here is what the visitors, to whom I spoke on the event, say.

Yurii PONOMARIOV, Ph.D. in Philosophy, associate professor of Philosophy Department in Poltava National Pedagogical University: “From time to time I read Den – mostly in the electronic format. From my students I learned of the event. And I don’t regret coming here, because the exhibit is a chronicle of what was Ukraine living through all the past year. I have already seen some of the pictures on the Internet. The display affected me deeply; I think no words are able to express it properly. On these photos we saw our county from different perspectives and without any pretense. I think it would be nice to have some of the photos exhibited here or in our university permanently.”

Rustem SELIAMIIEV, student, displaced person from Crimea: “I am a Den’s faithful reader. For a long time I knew about the exhibition, but only now, when it has been going on for some time, I found the opportunity to come here with my classmates. I am still under the emotional influence of the artwork. Certainly, everyone sees something of their own in the photos – some of the works were presented with some irony, and some were thought-provoking. I should say that this is the best exhibition I have ever visited.”