Ukrainian Journey
Photo Exhibit Documenting Ukraine's Search for Identity
31 October - 14 November, 2009
Concourse Gallery, CGIS South Building
Harvard University
1730 Cambridge, MA 02138
For several decades now Ukraine has been undergoing a political, economic and social transformation. Far from being swift and simple, the initiation to democracy and capitalism has been drawn out and difficult. Like many aspirants, Ukraine is caught in a liminal zone, somewhere between ‘communism and liberalism, tradition and modernity, resistance to change and the onslaught to history.’ One of the greatest challenges it faces is to form a new national identity. Ukraine has often been described in the media as a country with two poles, a southeastern one and a western one; each differing on ethnic grounds, religious adherence, social and cultural orientations, economic and political preferences and attitudes towards historical events.
What does it mean to be Ukrainian? How do different generations define their identity? What are the conditions in Ukraine today and how does this affect the formation of identity and nation building? What brings together Ukrainians and what pulls them apart?
In an effort to answer these questions, the non-profit ALTEMUS commissioned a group of Eastern European photographers and young Ukrainian writers to travel the country and capture the complexities of Ukraine through thoughtful and moving photo essays and stories. Their work will be featured at major photo festivals, galleries and conferences in North America and Europe in 2010.
Ukrainian Journey sponsored by the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute with generous support from Fondation Vidrodgeni, Ukraine International Airlines, and Visegrad Fund.
|
