Ukraine’s embassy in Nigeria has unveiled an exhibition marking the 35th anniversary of the country’s restoration of independence, showcasing its culture, history, and struggle for freedom.
The ambassador, van Kholostenko, opened the exhibition in Abuja on Sunday. Mr Kholostenko said the exhibition was designed to present Ukraine beyond the ongoing war, highlighting its centuries of statehood, cultural heritage and national identity.
He said the exhibition featured traditional Ukrainian cultural artefacts, photographs documenting the realities of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and patches and flags of Ukrainian military units defending the country.
The envoy said the centrepiece of the exhibition was an interactive installation titled ‘Puzzle of Unity: Mapping Ukraine’s Identity through Culture and History’.
According to him, the installation consists of a map of Ukraine made up of 20 puzzle pieces, with each piece telling a story about the country’s people, architecture, art, traditions, inventions and historical events.
“The front side displays artwork by contemporary Ukrainian artists, Sestry Feldman, while the reverse contains narratives that provide cultural and historical context.
“By assembling the puzzle, visitors literally put Ukraine together while discovering the diversity of its regions.
“None of these pieces can be taken away by force. The map carries deep symbolism amid Russia’s aggression,” he said.
Mr Kholostenko said Ukraine comprised different regions, traditions, cultural features and histories, but that they remained parts of one whole.
He said Russia was seeking not only to seize Ukrainian territory but also to erase its historical memory, appropriate its culture, deny its identity and challenge the right of Ukrainians to determine their own future.
“This map has become a symbol of the resilience of Ukrainians and their categorical rejection of the idea that anyone can change the borders of their country by force.
“Ukraine is and will remain united, in all its cultural, historical and regional diversity,” he said.
The ambassador said the exhibition was intended to help Nigerians see Ukraine not only as a country fighting Russian aggression but also as a nation with a long history, rich culture and strong national identity.
“This is precisely the Ukraine that our soldiers are defending today. They are defending not abstract territories on a map, but our history, our culture, our families, our cities and villages, and our freedom to be who we are,” he said.
He stressed that, for Ukrainians, independence, culture and territorial integrity were inseparable.
NAN reports that the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union supported the exhibition.
The ‘Puzzle of Unity’ installation was developed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the non-governmental organisation, Port of Culture, with support from the European External Action Service.
The exhibition is open to the public. NAN
