Most countries on the way to their formation experience one or two revolutions. Ukraine was not spared this fate. On the way to freedom and recognition, our country experienced the Ukrainian Revolution (1917–1921), the Revolution on Granite, or the Student Revolution on Granite (October 2–17, 1990), the Orange Revolution (November 21–December 8, 2004), and the Revolution of Dignity (November 21, 2013–February 22, 2014).
One can argue for a long time about the consequences of these revolutions, break "spears" in defense of one's "only correct" opinion about these events, however, perhaps it is simply worth remembering those who were not afraid and came out to defend their beliefs, those who simply sought to uphold the rights enshrined in the Constitution. Perhaps, on November 21, on the Day of Dignity and Freedom, it is worth visiting memorable places and lighting a candle for those who will forever remain one of the Heavenly Hundred, and also getting acquainted with the artifacts of the Revolutions in the museum "Memorial Complex of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred - Museum of the Revolution of Dignity."
The first ideas about perpetuating the material (and not only) monuments of the Revolution of Dignity appeared shortly after its end. And although the museum does not yet have its own premises (there is only a plot of land on the Alley of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred) and its exposition is scattered across many museums in Ukraine, from time to time the “museum workers” organize exhibitions both in the open air and on the premises of other museums (in particular, similar exhibitions were held at the National Art Museum – the exhibition “Freedom”, Vlodko Kaufman, October – November 2014; at the National Center for Contemporary Art “Ivan Honchar Museum” – the interactive exhibition “Creativity of Freedom: (R)evolutionary Culture of the Maidan”, Ihor Poshivaylo, Vlodko Kaufman, Kateryna Tkachenko, November 2014 – February 2015; at the Museum of the History of Kyiv – the multimedia exhibition “Maidan: From Independence to Freedom”, Vitaliy Nakhmanovych, October 2015 – January 2016; at the Ukrainian Institute national memory - the project "Brave", February 2016, etc.). The exhibition was also shown outside Ukraine: the multimedia exhibition "L'art de la liberté" at the Palais Tyler in Paris in March 2015 and the exhibition "The Poster Remediated" at the Poster Museum in Wilanów in Poland, June - September 2016.
The museum's collection was assembled by activists who began their work during the Revolution. They collected artifacts, photos and videos, which formed the basis of the exhibition. Today, the collection consists of over 2,000 objects (protective helmets, clothing, shields, bullets, etc.), about 500 audio and video interviews, documentary photos and book publications dedicated to the Revolutions.
Among the rarities are the art installation "Christmas Shop"; paintings from the series "The Future of Ukraine" (this was a joint work of 100 people who were at the epicenter of these events); the famous 40-meter "Christmas Tree" with flags, posters and slogans; a pneumatic cannon; "Molotov cocktails" made of electric bulbs filled with pepper and a burning mixture; the sculpture "New Ukraine" by the French artist Roti; bullet-riddled helmets of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, etc.
On the occasion of the holiday, the Museum has prepared a number of events, including:
On November 18, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the lighting of the lights on the territory of the future memorial and museum complex and the unveiling of a symbolic sign are planned. Venue: Alley of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
On November 21, from 10:00 to 11:00, the opening of the Volodymyr Melnychuk Park , Hero of the Heavenly Hundred, will take place. Heroes of Stalingrad Ave., 51.
From 11:00 to 12:00, a memorial service for the Heavenly Hundred and the fighters for the independence of Ukraine will be held in the chapel on the Alley of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.
At 12:00, the exhibition "How to Keep the Memory of Maidan Alive" will open on Independence Square.
From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM , a presentation of the book by the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance "Maidan from the First Person. Regional Dimension" will be held in the premises of the Kyiv City State Administration.
And at 4:00 p.m., a cultural and artistic event on the occasion of Dignity and Freedom Day will begin at the International Center for Culture and Arts (former October Palace). Admission to the event is by invitation only.
On December 1, the exhibition "Heartbeat" will begin its work at the GLOBUS 2 Shopping Center, Independence Square, 1.
Who knows, maybe in a few years, when the Museum will have its own "home," it will become nothing more than a kind of Mecca for those who witnessed and participated in the events. However, given the ambitious plans of the leaders, it may well become one of the visiting cards not only of Kyiv, but of the country as a whole.
And instead of an epilogue: for many, Dignity and Freedom Day will always be associated with this video:
Heroes don't die... They just become angels...
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