<i>The Day</i>’s photo exhibit in the miner’s capital

The ceremony of opening the photo exhibit Day-2010 was attended by a number of journalists, covered by six local channels, newspapers, online periodicals, and numerous residents of Donetsk, among them both veteran and new subscribers. In fact, there was mutual interest — for Den/The Day that had launched the tradition of “tactile” urban and rural studies, frank discussions of local history and current realities, the long pause in personal contacts with Donetsk and its people was especially tangible. And so the task of the editor-in-chief was clear: she had to visit the city. Another important thing was that the editors’ plans for the Donbas immediately found support from the Donetsk State University of Management (DSUM), which offered to introduce The Day’s photo exhibit and library series, in collaboration with the Regional Art Museum, House of Cultural Workers, the local Front of Changes, and Donetsk and Horlivka businesses.

DSUM is quite young as it was founded in June 1992. Yet it has every reason to take pride in its graduates, who include quite a few noted and successful managers and administrators. Soccer fans will be interested to know that among the DSUM graduates are several players of the Shakhtar Club, and that Shakhtar’s fullback Yaroslav Rakytsky studied and defended his diploma paper there, and that the university provost, Andrii Stoika, remembers his project as being one of the best. The editors were shown the university’s small museum with many photos and the impression was that the provosts, acting as guides, remembered everything about every graduate. Donetsk University was a pleasant surprise. Unlike its celebrated counterparts all over Ukraine, here one became aware of the administration and teaching staff’s special attitude to the student, marked by attentiveness and humaneness, factors that are so important for an effective teaching process. The Day instantly found a common language with DSUM Rector Oleksandr Povazhny. For him the editors’ projects are important not because his university needs publicity or wants to carry out yet another scheduled public event: “Each well-arranged and really interesting meeting with clever people is primarily a contribution to the development of our students, future managers/administrators who may eventually take an interest in studying the development of other people.”

The Day launched its “island tactic” in the early 2000s. This tactic is as follows. A clever and beautiful Ukraine is made up of a number of intellectual “islands,” but which practically have no “communication lines.” A great deal of work must be done to lay such “bridges” between them. The Day’s editor-in-chief has visited many universities for precisely this purpose. A concrete result of this large-scale project became evident during the ceremony of opening The Day’s photo exhibit at the DSUM. The Institute of Education, Science and Contacts with Diaspora at the Lviv National Polytechnic University (popularly still referred to as Lvivska Politekhnika in Ukr.), namely its director Iryna Kliuchkovska, sent a letter of congratulations addressed to the “friendly University of Donetsk.” The letter reads, in part: “Our institute organized two photo exhibits of, and conferences with, The Day last year. [Each time] the photo exhibit proved very popular with young people, experts, and art photography buffs. This creative project is very informative, indeed, because it shows a true picture of Ukraine, in all aspects, as a single albeit diversified country…” I might as well add that DSUM took an interest in the Ostroh Club and contacts with Ostroh Academy after we shared our experiences with both. Perhaps another bridge will be laid.

More on the impressions from the trip to Donetsk further on. Below are comments by separate Donetsk residents.

COMMENTARIES

Maia KALINICHENKO, director, House of Cultural Workers, Donetsk:

“We have followed the progress of The Day’s photo exhibit across Ukraine, including conferences with readers and discussions… we always thought ‘how come we are standing aside,’ considering our big beautiful Donbas? Well, you are here, at long last. The Day, of course, spells quality economic and political analysis. However, we are mostly attracted by something we consider to be more important: that fact that no other Ukrainian periodical can embrace cultural and education topics as penetratingly, comprehensively as you can. Your articles don’t run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. Each one offers its author’s own view. Another important thing is that you can find such contributors. The Day’s photo exhibit is a true cultural revelation, something all of us need. Our current world is full of evil, with few caring about what is made public knowledge. I thank you for offering us an opportunity to learn about the kind of Ukraine few of us have ever known; about its people; to admire its inimitable beauty. There is also so much food for gruesome thought! I mean that photo with Larysa Kadochnykova by the devastated Dovzhenko Movie Theater. This is what The Day keeps writing about, our inability to preserve our country and history.”

Ihor TODOROV, Ph.D. (History), Chair of International Relations and Foreign Policy, Donetsk National University:

“I well remember when the first issue of Den was being prepared for the presses in 1996, just as I remember the ad: ‘The United States reads The New York Times; Russia reads Izvestia, and Ukraine will read Den! [The Day English-language weekly digest would start being published two years later. — Ed.] Much water has run under the bridge and this motto has been revised as Den/The Day has probably done more than accomplish its original mission. It is now more than a periodical; it has turned into a newspaper meant for the intellectual. I’m happy to know that the editors largely rely on universities. True, we don’t have a Gazeta Wyborcza, but we have Den/The Day. This newspaper focuses on the formation of national identity regardless of the place of residence; an identity not displayed on T-shirts or vyshyvanka hand-embroidered blouses (although we do need such shirts and blouses as an element of our national identity); an identity rooted in intellect, in our past national achievements. As for the atmosphere of the meeting, some — maybe a large part of the audience — didn’t share The Day’s editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna’s views, but this lady is an expert in dealing with unfriendly audiences. As a result, there were no provocative questions posed, no provocative objections raised. I believe that The Day won support in Donetsk. Such meetings are bound to become a tradition, the more so that we have a number of active supporters in this region.”

Danylo BEREZOVSKY, DSUM student majoring in Law and Social Management:

“I was thrilled to learn that The Day carries quality articles and has a great many supporters across Ukraine. The editor in chief said the reader’s average age is between 40 and 50 years. I don’t think so. I believe that this newspaper must be very interesting for the Ukrainian youth, I mean the progressive part, young people who can assume responsibility for their life. I must admit I haven’t been a regular reader, but this reader conference left me very impressed. I was especially interested when it came to discussing the quality of our elite. I agree that our politicians don’t necessarily represent the elite, and that elite must be present in every profession, every field of endeavor.”

Vadym LELEKO, head of Aesthetic Education Center, DSUM:

“Our university is quite young, we have a long way to go — we need our audience about as much as The Day needs their own. I mean all those people who would appreciate DSUM’s contribution to science and teaching. I’m glad to know we had a constructive dialog with The Day. I might as well point out that our university often holds student photo exhibits. In this sense, The Day’s photo exhibit is very good competition; our students can learn from skilled photographers. Another important thing is that many students applied to participate in The Day’s photo exhibit. From what I know, their photos will be on display next year.”

Stanislav FEDORCHUK, public figure:

“There is no denying the fact that Donetsk oblast badly needs Ukrainian intellectual products. The visit of The Day, it being an all-Ukrainian newspaper that has held its quality standard high for so many years, was an opportunity for Donetsk students, even university lecturers, to expand their horizons. Such meetings offer ample food for thought, even if this is missed by the public eye. It is thus an intellectual circle is formed, made up of individuals who care about what will happen tomorrow. You can’t stop an idea when its time has come. We aren’t likely to form a modern-day nation without such mutual intellectual enrichment, without exchanging new ideas and knowledge. And so The Day has assumed responsibility for this important and incredibly sophisticated mission. This newspaper appears to be an intellectual partisan who doesn’t thoughtlessly provoke any actions, who doesn’t shout slogans on every corner. This newspaper is working for the future of its readers, people capable of reading and understanding intellectual texts.”

Liana PAIANOVA, M.A., DSUM:

“This was an extremely important meeting. The Day shows our eventful realities the way they are, adding historical background and expert forecasts. It shows the way every Ukrainian should live these days. Not all are aware of this, but I’m an optimist. There must be a reason behind the manner in which The Day is functioning, behind the editors’ trips across Ukraine, with each such meeting attracting an increasing audience. People are becoming more intellectual. I say: ‘please visit us again.’ Next time we’ll have read all the books of your Library Series (which is expanding). We will keep moving forward.”

Anastasia KRYVUN, DSUM 4th year student majoring in sociology:

“Our university was honored to host the opening ceremony of The Day’s photo exhibit and present it. Editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna said that our intellectual space must be broadened and developed, considering that cultural evolution is the ultimate goal of every human being. This evolution was present during today’s meeting; it was obvious in every photo on display, on every page of The Day. This photo exhibit is a vivid illustration of Ukraine’s daily life; it reveals our inner emotional world. Too bad we have so many negative photos, negative news that help develop a negative attitude to our society. Photo exhibits like Day-2010, in contrast, show something that makes us love and be proud of our Ukraine. I’m very impressed by this exhibit. There are many photos that make you think things over, especially the one entitled Internet Offline. So the Internet is offline, let’s meet in person. This photo shows the way our young Ukrainians are today, the big role being played by virtual realities in the life of every individual, especially the younger generation.”

Anastasia CHORNAIA, 11-grade student, Donetsk School No. 2, winner of an informatics competition:

“Technologies have become part and parcel of our life these days. The important thing is to prevent man’s inner cultural/spiritual world from fading in the background with the development of these technologies. Even though computer technologies are evolving so quickly, with the notion of time acquiring an entirely new meaning, there must always be room left for good books and interesting conversations. Day-2010 doubtlessly spells cultural progress. There are many photos that make one smile and become pensive. There are many boys and girls at my school who are fond of photography. For them this exhibit was a very interesting and useful opportunity of polishing their skill. Personally, I chose two photos, one with a girl embracing a doggie and the other entitled They Have Experienced All of It.”

Serhii DOLHOPOLOV, DSUM 4th year student majoring in journalism:

“The Day’s photo exhibit has several functions. First, it displays young original talent all over Ukraine. Second, every visitor wants to see a part of his or her emotions — joy, sorrow, loss, happiness — in each photo. That’s precisely what makes this exhibit so important; it makes each person a present: a fellow human. All the photos on display are interesting and deep-reaching. I especially liked the ones with children, but was most impressed by the photo entitled The Last Samurai.”

Anastasia VOLKOVA, DSUM 4th year student majoring in journalism:

“I have long been familiar with The Day. Its Library Series’ Ukraine Incognita is my favorite book. I have re-read it dozens of times, yet the copy I received at the Krupskaia Library shows just how popular this book is. Day-2010 is a sequel to the Ukraine Incognita theme; it shows things we don’t seem to notice around and about us. I especially liked the photos Bohomoltsi and Vodolii. I think that such photo exhibits are very important for our society, especially for the residents of Donetsk, considering that they are seldom organized here. They are especially important for students. There are many institutions of higher learning in Donetsk that produce journalists and website designers for whom this photo exhibit spells knowledge, a master class of sorts that shows precisely how one can see something one has long stopped seeing.”

Alisa TITKO, DSUM 4th year student majoring in journalism:

“The punch line of this photo exhibit is a simple approach to realities, which prove to be extraordinary when viewed from a different angle. All photos are modern and dynamic. I was particularly impressed by one entitled Hospodar (Master of the House). Looking at it, I remembered my childhood when digging up potatoes in the grandma’s vegetable garden together with my brothers. We were also dirty, wearing old pants and boots. This photo also reminded me of my grandma during one of my visits. Just one photo and so many heartwarming memories! That’s the kind of photos we need. I think I’m not the only one sick and tired of political subtexts. I think the emphasis should be on something else, on human aspects.”

Kateryna YAKOVLENKO, DSUM 4th year student majoring in journalism, graduate of The Day’s Summer School, 2010:

“Day-2010 photo exhibit is doubtlessly a significant cultural event for Donetsk. It displays photos made by people in various regions of Ukraine. I was pleased to see photos by our noted local photographer, Serhii Vahanov. Too bad we don’t travel enough to see with our own eyes things we see in these pictures. The Day’s project is extremely important for one and all; it is an eye-opener, it shows something we fail to see, our own selves, our inner feelings. When one’s eyes can’t see, other senses take over, like hearing. But what do we hear watching the television or listening to the radio? Very little about ourselves while enlarging on entirely different aspects. And so the greatest advantage of this photo exhibit is its humane approach. Each photo shows one of us, our close and dear ones, friends, people living next door. Every photo portrays our daily realities.

“For me The Day’s photo exhibit was a happy and exciting event because it combines two important elements: the city I live in, which I love, and the newspaper that became so very important for me during the Summer School in 2010, the more so that this is The Day’s first photo exhibit in Donetsk. This event is important for both my city and this newspaper; it is an opportunity to learn more about each other, exchange useful experience, share each other’s knowledge, and expand each other’s horizons.”