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#UkraineStands OPEN HOUSE – FEB 24, 2024
February 24, 2024 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
In recognition of the strength, resilience, and accomplishments of the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian Institute of America will host the #UkraineStands Open House on February 24, 2024, marking ten years since the beginning of the war and two years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
We invite you to join us for all or part of the afternoon to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price for defending Ukraine’s freedom, and to celebrate the creativity, courage, and dedication of Ukrainians in Ukraine and around the world, whose valiant fight to defend democracy, their homeland and their right to self-determination continues.
From 12-3 PM, guests may participate in an afternoon featuring a variety of exhibits, interactive and unique experiences, film screenings, lectures and more. From 3-5 PM, attendees will gather together for remarks, reflections and discussions with prominent guest speakers.
PROGRAM [12-5 PM]
Session 1 [12 – 3PM]
- Jason Birchard, Owner of Veselka Restaurant, Community Leader
- Kristina Samulewski, Associate Audience Editor at The New York Times
- Yana Prymachenko, Visiting Scholar, Princeton University, and Mark Temnycky, freelance journalist and nonresident fellow with Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center
- Michael Weiss, The Insider
- Daryna Shevchenko, Yevheniia Motorevska, and Olesia Bida, Kyiv Independent
- Ayla Bakkalli, Crimean Tatar Representative to the United Nations
- Nata Zhyzhchenko, founder/lead singer of Onuka, Ukraine’s premier electro-folk band (video profile)
Session 2 [3 – 5PM]
- Welcome Remarks – Kathy Nalywajko, President, Ukrainian Institute of America
- Volodymyr Yermolenko, journalist, philosopher, President of PEN Ukraine, with Larry Wolff, Professor of European History, New York University
- Basil Seggos, Commissioner, New York State DEC
- Adrian Kubicki, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York
- Ambassador Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations, with Dr. Olena Lennon, Practitioner In Residence of National Security at the University of New Haven
- Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations
- Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations
– Please note that this schedule is subject to change – Consult our website for latest details –
OFFERINGS AND EXPERIENCES [12 – 5PM]
“Window on Ukraine” [First Floor]
- The Pysanka: A Symbol of Hope – an installation of nearly 1,000 eggs from around the world, a reaction to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Feel free to bring your pysanka to place in the installation! Sofika Zielyk, ethnographer and curator of the installation, will be on hand to discuss the history of the pysanka tradition and the origins of the project.
- A Tribute to Fallen Artists – a print and video tribute to fallen artists, representing all those not part of the professional military who have lost their lives because of the war. Internationally recognized ballroom dancers Denys Drozdyuk and Antonina Skobina (DNA) will be present to discuss their experiences in preparing the tribute.
Lobby [First Floor]
- Ukrainian Bookstore – a selection of books from Ukrainian authors, or about Ukrainian subjects, all in English.
- A Tribute Space: “I care about Ukraine because…” and “Send greetings to a Ukrainian soldier” on the frontlines or in rehabilitation”.
Concert Hall [Second Floor]
- Exhibition: The Light of Revival – Stained Glass Design for Restituted Synagogues of Ukraine.
- Screening: 20 Days in Mariupol [12PM / 95 minutes]
- Screening: Culture vs War [1:40PM / 59 minutes / 16+ advisory]
- Greetings and Conversations [3-5PM]
Chandelier Room [Second Floor]
- Exhibition: The Light of Revival – Stained Glass Design for Restituted Synagogues of Ukraine.
- Conversations and presentations about the ongoing war and the Ukrainian people (12-3pm).
Library [Third Floor]
- Exhibition and Tasting: Ukrainian Winemakers – Stories of Resilience and Creativity.
Oval Room [Third Floor]
- Fashion Showplace featuring the recently released Fall Winter 24/25 collection of acclaimed Ukrainian designer Svitlana Bevza.
East Room [Third Floor]
- Exhibition: Unissued Diplomas, created to honor the memory of Ukrainian students who lost their lives during the war in Ukraine.
- Exhibition: Children of Heroes Project, drawings by Ukrainian children impacted by the war.
Galleries [Fourth Floor]
- Oleksa Hryshchenko: Paintings
- Nellie Fedchun: Sculpture
- Alexander Archipenko: The Augustin and Maria Sumyk Collection
- Vasyl Diadyniuk: Historical Portraits