Key Points
- The exhibition highlights Ukraine’s history, culture and national identity amid the ongoing war with Russia.
- Its centrepiece is an interactive 20-piece map exploring the country’s regional cultures and history.
- The exhibition is open to the public at the Ukrainian Embassy in Abuja.
Main Story
The Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria has opened an exhibition in Abuja to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence.
The exhibition, which explores the country’s history, cultural heritage and struggle for freedom, was opened by the Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ivan Kholostenko, on Sunday.
Kholostenko said the exhibition was intended to give visitors a broader understanding of Ukraine beyond the war with Russia, including its centuries of statehood and diverse cultural identity.
The display includes Ukrainian cultural artefacts, photographs depicting the impact of Russia’s war and patches and flags belonging to Ukrainian military units.
At the centre of the exhibition is an interactive installation, “Puzzle of Unity: Mapping Ukraine’s Identity through Culture and History”.
Kholostenko explained that the installation uses a map made up of 20 puzzle pieces, with each piece representing aspects of Ukraine’s people, architecture, art, traditions, inventions and historical events.
He said contemporary Ukrainian artists Sestry Feldman created the artwork on the front of the pieces, while the reverse contains information providing cultural and historical context.
According to him, the installation allows visitors to explore the diversity of Ukraine’s regions while assembling the country’s map.
The ambassador said the installation also carried a deeper message about Ukraine’s territorial integrity and resistance to attempts to alter its borders by force.
He said Ukraine’s different regions had their own traditions, cultural characteristics and histories but remained connected as parts of one country.
Kholostenko accused Russia of seeking to undermine Ukraine’s historical memory, culture and national identity in addition to its territorial ambitions.
He said the exhibition was also aimed at helping Nigerians appreciate Ukraine as a country with a long history and distinct cultural identity, rather than viewing it only through the lens of the ongoing war.
The envoy said the values represented by the exhibition were among those being defended by Ukrainian soldiers.
He added that independence, cultural identity and territorial integrity remained closely connected for Ukrainians.
The Issues
Ukraine restored its independence in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The exhibition presents the country’s cultural and historical diversity alongside its current struggle against Russia.
Its central installation uses the image of a complete map assembled from individual regional pieces to communicate the idea of national unity.
What’s Being Said
“By assembling the puzzle, visitors literally put Ukraine together while discovering the diversity of its regions.” — Ivan Kholostenko
“None of these pieces can be taken away by force. The map carries deep symbolism amid Russia’s aggression.” — Ivan Kholostenko
“Ukraine is and will remain united, in all its cultural, historical and regional diversity.” — Ivan Kholostenko
“This is precisely the Ukraine that our soldiers are defending today.” — Ivan Kholostenko
What’s Next
The exhibition remains open to members of the public at the Embassy of Ukraine in Abuja.
The installation was developed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the non-governmental organisation Port of Culture, with support from the European External Action Service.
Bottom Line
The exhibition uses Ukraine’s history, culture and regional diversity to present a broader picture of the country and reinforce its message of national unity and territorial integrity amid the ongoing war.
