Simple Faces of a Complex History

June - November 2021 – Implementation of the "Simple Faces of a Complex History" project with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.

Project Goal The project aimed to create and promote both offline and online formats of the exhibition "Simple Faces of a Complex History" as an innovative tool for engaging the residents of Chernivtsi region. Its purpose was to foster a new understanding of regional history and reduce negative ethnonational, ethno-regional, political, and historical stereotypes in mutual perceptions.

As part of the project, six photo exhibitions were presented across territorial communities of Chernivtsi region, specifically in Chernivtsi, Kitsman, Vyzhnytsia, Hertsa, Khotyn, and Storozhynets. Additionally, photographs and the stories of the people depicted in them were systematized and arranged for a future photo album, its publication and distribution, and the creation of a dedicated website and online gallery. This digital platform would allow for continuous expansion, encouraging intercultural dialogue within the community, the region, and ultimately throughout Ukraine. The project aimed to contribute to the formation of a shared Ukrainian political identity.

Project Activities

• Preparation, organization, and presentation of six photo exhibitions in territorial communities of Chernivtsi region.
• Systematization and arrangement of photographs and stories for the photo album.
• Publication and distribution of the photo album.
• Creation of a dedicated website and online gallery, enabling ongoing content updates to foster intercultural dialogue at the regional and national levels.

By involving local residents in co-authoring the region’s history, the project sought to dismantle negative stereotypes, promote a humanistic perspective on a complex past, and foster trust and mutual understanding through family stories where different ethnic backgrounds intertwined during turbulent historical events.

Cultural and Educational Impact

The project underscored two key themes:

1. Preservation and promotion of Ukraine’s “living history” through personal narratives.
2. Utilization of historical family photographs as artifacts for illustrating history.

By reinterpreting the role of the “ordinary person” in shaping the history of the region, the exhibition elevated personal and family archives into public historical artifacts, valued not only for their documentary significance but also for their aesthetic appeal. Unlike modern photography, old photographs were composed according to different artistic principles—lighting, poses, clothing, and decorations all contribute to their unique aesthetic.

A key message of the project’s information campaign was the idea: "Regardless of my ethnic, regional, religious, or gender identity, I am, first and foremost, a citizen of Ukraine."

Background & Organizational Support

Since 2016, the Charitable Foundation “Social Resources and Initiatives”, in partnership with the Chernivtsi Regional Universal Scientific Library named after M. Ivasiuk, has been implementing various cultural and educational projects with the support of DVV International, IDC "Integration and Development," and the German Foreign Ministry.

One of the key initiatives was the establishment of the Open University for Adults in Chernivtsi, which, since 2017, has expanded its reach beyond the regional center to communities such as Brusnytsia, Ostritsa, Mahala, and Hertsa. From 2016 to 2020, over 1,200 participants engaged in its programs, which included informal education, cultural events, and creative formats such as:

• Photo exhibitions ("Simple Faces of a Complex History"),
• Ethnic heritage tours,
• Poetry evenings, literary readings, and theatrical performances,
• Flash mobs ("Books in the Supermarket", "Poetry on the Pavement"),
• Wine discussions ("Five Shades of Red"),
• And many other educational and cultural events.

The Charitable Foundation “Social Resources and Initiatives” remains committed to ensuring the sustainability and impact of these cultural and educational programs, especially amid pandemic restrictions that have affected public engagement.

Innovative Aspects of the Project

1. Unique Perspective on Regional History

• The exhibition presented the history of Chernivtsi region from an unconventional perspective—through the lives of ordinary people of different ethnicities and faiths, who lived through wars, reforms, political upheavals, repression, famine, forced labor, and deportations.
• Despite historical turmoil, these individuals preserved their love for their homeland, cultural traditions, and tolerance for others—a reflection of Europe’s shared history.

1. Participatory Approach

• The project was highly participatory, allowing anyone with family photographs and personal stories to contribute to the exhibition.
• This empowered individuals to shape a collective historical narrative, transforming their ancestors into historical figures whose lives offer insights into the region’s past.

1. Integration of Digital Tools

   • The project introduced a digital photo map of Chernivtsi region, incorporating:

• Photographs from the exhibition
• Video stories of the people depicted
• Continuous open access to these materials

• • The combination of traditional and digital formats ensured that the exhibition could be experienced remotely, making it accessible regardless of location or time—an especially relevant adaptation given pandemic restrictions.

  • While the emotional impact of an in-person exhibition may be stronger, the online format expands geographical reach and encourages more people to contribute their family histories, turning them into puzzle pieces of the region’s historical mosaic.

Content Report of the "Simple Faces of a Complex History" Project (2021)