- January 22, 2026
- 12:11 pm
- Ukraine
Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi became one of the key points of the cultural route of the traveling exhibition “Journey with the Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter: from Antiquity to 1939”.
On November 26, 2025, in the hall of the Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi Historical and Cultural Reserve, the grand opening of the exhibition, prepared by the Canadian non-governmental organization Ukrainian-Jewish Encounter, took place. The project is dedicated to the complex, multi-layered, and often underestimated history of the joint life of Ukrainians and Jews over the centuries — from early periods to the tragic threshold of World War II.
The city, known for its architectural and cultural memory, was not chosen by chance. Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi is traditionally perceived as one of the symbols of the historical heritage of Cherkasy region, where the destinies of different peoples and eras intertwine.
The opening of the exhibition took place within the walls of the Poniatowski Palace — an 18th-century monument that has preserved features of European palace architecture. The space set a special tone for the event: a modern conversation about the past was literally embedded in the historical landscape.
Anna Zubko, the head of the “Poniatowski Palace” museum, gave a welcoming speech. She reminded that the history of Ukraine was shaped by the efforts and destinies of many peoples who lived on this land for centuries. In her speech, she quoted historian Paul Robert Magocsi, emphasizing the idea of the necessity of mutual understanding between Ukrainians and Jews as a condition for a true understanding of the common past.
Then Vladyslav Hrynkevych, the regional manager of UJE in Ukraine, took the floor. He presented the mission of the organization, talked about the principles of intercultural diplomacy, and emphasized that the exhibition consciously avoids the simplified scheme of “history through tragedies”. According to him, the exhibition shows long-term coexistence, joint work, cultural exchange, and everyday life — without ignoring complex and painful pages, but also without reducing the entire history to them.
Lyudmyla Simshag, the deputy mayor of Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, joined the discussion. She thanked the organizers for choosing the city and noted the importance of studying the multinational past of the region, where Ukrainians, Jews, Poles, and representatives of other communities lived at different times.
Particular attention was drawn to the story of Klavdiya Kolesnikova, director of the regional museum of Jewish history “We Come from the Shtetl”. She shared the results of local research, demonstrated rare publications about the life of the Jewish community of Korsun region, and reminded that the city was once visited by Sholem Aleichem — a fact that underscores the cultural significance of this place.
Lidiya Ovsiienko, deputy director of the reserve for scientific work, spoke with a scientific emphasis. She emphasized that such projects create a space for dialogue — between generations, researchers, and the local community, allowing a new understanding of Ukraine’s history as common, not fragmented.
The emotional highlight of the program was the performance by composer and singer Valentyna Hreniuk, head of the Ukrainian song studio “Barvy Korsunia”. The performance of the folk song “Chornobryvtsi” added a lively, human dimension to the event and connected the historical conversation with personal memory and feelings.
After the official part, guests were able to familiarize themselves with the exhibition and communicate with each other. All participants of the opening were given a catalog of the exhibition — an illustrated edition of 168 pages, which offers a holistic narrative of the common history of Ukrainians and Jews: from peaceful coexistence to crises and trials.
Such cultural initiatives today work not only with the past but also with the future — reminding that dialogue and knowledge remain the most important tools of mutual understanding. It is this context that NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency captures, observing how local events in Ukraine become part of the general conversation about memory, identity, and shared history.
