In Dnipro, the Museum of the Memory of the Jewish People and the Holocaust in Ukraine is hosting an exhibition titled “Hidden in Plain Sight: Jewish Traces of Eastern Europe.” It features 25 works by German photographer Christian Hermann.
This was reported by Suspilne.
The photographs depict elements of Jewish culture that were abandoned because of the genocide or Soviet rule.
Before the opening of the event, the author of the photos recorded a video in which he spoke about the importance of remembering the past. Christian Herman emphasized that there is no such thing as 'us' and 'them'.
“There is only one history and a common identity. Abandoned synagogues and overgrown cemeteries are, in a sense, memorials to the murdered Jews of Europe. It is a constant reminder of what people can do to other people,” the man says.
The exhibition featured photographs from six Eastern European countries, namely Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, Romania, Poland, and Moldova. The oldest photo dates back to 2014, and the newest to 2022.
Museum director Iryna Radchenko said that this is the second time this exhibition has been held in Ukraine. The first time it was held in Chernivtsi. She also hopes that similar events will be held for other cultures in the future.
“This exhibition is not about preserving Jewish heritage, but about preserving any and all heritage. There are many nationalities on the territory of Ukraine that have made unique contributions over the centuries,” says Radchenko.
Svitlana, a visitor to the exhibition, says that she had previously visited Western Europe and learned about the consequences of the genocide there. She did not have a complete picture of what it was like in Ukraine.
“I didn't know much of this. These exhibitions are very useful, especially for the younger generation. We need to involve young people in history more,” the woman said.
Another visitor, Larysa, says that looking at the present, this event is relevant and important.
“This is happening in our time, just as it happened then. I, as an ordinary person, want the genocide to never happen,” she said.