"Countering the Distortion of Holocaust History ..."

August – November 2022: Implementation of the Project "Countering the Distortion of Holocaust History by Promoting the Development of the Cultural-Educational Project 'Local History Through the Stories of Symbolic Figures: The Mayor of Chernivtsi – Righteous Among the Nations'"

From August to November 2022, the Public Resources and Initiatives Charitable Foundation implemented the project "Countering the Distortion of Holocaust History by Promoting the Development of the Cultural-Educational Project 'Local History Through the Stories of Symbolic Figures: The Mayor of Chernivtsi – Righteous Among the Nations.'" The project was supported by the Romanian Agency for International Development Cooperation (RoAid) and the Association of Jewish Organizations and Communities of Ukraine.

As part of the project, a short documentary film titled "Only the Lovers Will Survive. Traian Popovici and Others" was created.

The film’s storyline is based on the story of Traian Popovici, who, by chance, became the mayor of Chernivtsi during the most tragic period in the city's history (1941–1942). He saved the lives of thousands of Chernivtsi residents of Jewish origin. In 1969, Israel awarded him the title "Righteous Among the Nations" with the recognition:

"As a sign of special gratitude for saving twenty thousand Chernivtsi Jews from deportation to death camps in Transnistria."

The documentary also presents stories of Chernivtsi residents during World War II, revealing the profound idea that during war, the most important word is "love," and that stories of rescue are more significant than those of death.

Project Team

• Project Leader: Serhiy Hakman
• Co-Author & Screenwriter: Serhiy Vorontsov
• Co-Author, Director & Cameraman: Vyacheslav Khabaylo
• Actors: Ivan Danilin & Oleksiy Hryhorchuk
• Cameramen: Vitaliy Yaskevych & Volodymyr Khaliavka
• Editing: Andriy Dubinetskyi & Volodymyr Khaliavka
• Literary Editor: Olesya Andriychuk
• Translators: Ludvyha Tsurkan, Fedir Andriyesh, Olha Sharagova

In addition to the documentary film, a teaser (2:15 min.) and a promo video (0:48 min.) were also created.

Following the filming, a press conference was organized.

Four discussion meetings were held at:

• Secondary School No. 15 ORT, Chernivtsi City Council
• Secondary School No. 6 "Alexandru cel Bun", Chernivtsi City Council
• Chernivtsi Regional Universal Scientific Library named after Mykhailo Ivasiuk
• Chernivtsi Regional Museum of Local Lore
• Secondary School No. 5 "Oriana", Chernivtsi City Council
• Mihai Eminescu Romanian Cultural Society

The premiere screening of the film took place at the Chernivtsi Ivan Mykolaichuk Cultural and Art Center.