The exhibition “Ukrainian-Jewish Century: Photos and Stories from the 1920s to 2024” opened at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv (Ukraine)

“Ukrainian-Jewish Century: Photos and Stories from the 1920s to 2024” was opened at the Lviv National University named after Ivan Franko, becoming an important event for preserving the history and cultural memory of both nations — Ukrainians and Jews. This project became another step towards strengthening the cultural and historical ties between Ukraine and Israel.

This was reported by the press service of Lviv National University named after Ivan Franko.

Project and its significance

In April 2025, the solemn opening of the “Ukrainian-Jewish Century” exhibition took place in the hall of the main building of Lviv National University named after Ivan Franko. The exhibition was organized by the International Institute for Jewish History of the 20th Century Centropa, which specializes in preserving Jewish cultural heritage in Central and Eastern Europe. The exhibition consists of several parts and is presented on 29 panels, displaying information, archival photographs, and stories from the lives of Jews who became witnesses and participants in significant historical events.

What is Centropa

Centropa is an international organization founded with the aim of preserving Jewish cultural heritage in Central and Eastern Europe. It focuses on researching the history of Jews in the former Soviet Union and countries that were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Centropa actively collects oral testimonies, digitizes historical photographs and documents, and organizes educational events and exhibitions. The organization was founded by American filmmaker and photographer Edward Serotta in 2000, and since then, it has conducted extensive research that helps restore forgotten or lost pages of Jewish history.

What is Lviv National University named after Ivan Franko

Lviv National University named after Ivan Franko is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Ukraine, founded in 1661. The university is a scientific and educational center that has played an important role in shaping the scientific, cultural, and public life of the country. It is named after Ivan Franko, one of the greatest Ukrainian writers, philosophers, and public figures. The university offers various disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and is known for its research achievements. An important part of university life is its international cooperation, which helps strengthen ties with other universities and research institutions around the world.

Stories that connect the two nations

The event was opened by moderator Iryna Vasilyayko, who thanked the administration of Lviv University and students for their initiative. The exhibition is an important step in preserving historical memory and reflects the deep connection between the Jewish and Ukrainian nations. The exhibition shows the features of Jewish life on the territory of Ukraine throughout the century, from the 1920s to the present day. It is also a reflection of the fate of two peoples who have survived the tragedies of the Holodomor, the Holocaust, and the current Russian-Ukrainian war.

Edward Serotta: Initiator of the exhibition

The main initiator of the project is American filmmaker and journalist Edward Serotta, who began his research on Jewish culture in Ukraine back in 1997. During this time, he collected interviews with more than 1200 Jews and digitized over 25,000 family photographs. In his speech, he explained how he worked on creating the exhibition, which is the result of ten years of research and efforts to restore the stories and images that form an important part of Jewish and Ukrainian heritage.

Thematic parts of the exhibition

The exhibition is divided into three parts:

1. Interviews with 264 elderly Jews who survived the Holodomor and the Holocaust.
2. Black-and-white photographs depicting the daily life of Jews at work, at home, and at school.
3. Contemporary photographs taken during the war in Ukraine, which provide a deeper understanding of the current realities in which Jewish communities are again experiencing tragedies.

These photographs are not just documents but powerful testimonies of history that preserve the memory of the difficult moments for both peoples.

Significance for contemporary society

A distinctive feature of the exhibition is its relevance against the backdrop of ongoing events. It not only tells stories of the past but also shows how these events affect the present generation. Specifically, the photographs taken in Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and other cities remind us of how two nations — Ukrainians and Jews — continue to fight for their existence and the preservation of their cultural identity.

Ukrainian-Jewish relations

The exhibition shows how important it is to preserve the shared history of two peoples who have long been together in the fight for their freedom. The university’s vice-rector Vladimir Kachmar emphasized the importance of such events that contribute to strengthening cooperation between nations. This once again proves that the history of Ukraine and Jews is inseparable, and such exhibitions serve as bridges between two cultures.

In our information space, especially in the context of NAnews — Israel news, where we cover relevant events and topics related to Israel, Ukraine, and their peoples, such cultural events serve as an important contribution to strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation. We constantly monitor new initiatives that shape the shared future of both countries and their citizens.