As of September 22, an exceptional exhibition “Forever Free Ukraine!” at Vytautas the Great War Museum in Kaunas invites to see unique exhibits of the Armed Forces of Ukraine illustrating little-known interwar fights of the early 20th century.
“I rejoice at every opportunity to have a public conversation about the undying freedom of Ukraine because I believe that Ukraine will soon not only achieve victory against the aggressor again but will also become a full-fledged members of the European Union, and not as a concession to this nation of heroes but a blessing to the entire Europe,” said Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė at the official opening of the exhibition.
The exposition presents 250 items dating 1914–1923 from different Ukrainian and U.S. museums, archives and libraries. The main focus of the exhibition is evolution of the Ukrainian military uniform since the beginning of the 20th century. It is a tribute to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the force that makes Ukraine’s independence passible and the link between the modern generation of Ukraine’s defenders and those who preceded them in the independence fights of 1917–1921.
“This exhibition is a symbol of our mutual fight that gives meaning to our cultural, military cooperation and the united aspiration of the transatlantic community – a Ukraine that’s free forever,” underscored Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.
Before the Russian war against the Ukrainian people the exhibition was available at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War in Kyiv. It was closed and evacuated as the aggression began. All exhibits were relocated to Vytautas the Great War Museum via mediation of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, the exposition will be open until June next year.
This exhibition is the first project of Ukraine as an EU candidate presented in Europe and connecting together Ukraine, Lithuania and the United States. The united presentation of the exhibition by three countries symbolizes not only a transatlantic cultural but also military cooperation.
The exhibition takes place under the patronage of Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė.
The National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War and the Bogdan Gubsky Foundation “Ukraine – 21st Century” ae the authors of the exhibition.
Designed of the exhibition is a famous Ukrainian artist, designed of coins and ex-librises Volodymyr Tarans.
Partners: Lithuanian Culture Institute, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine.
More info: https://www.vdkaromuziejus.lt/atidaroma-unikali-paroda-amzinai-laisva-ukraina/
Photo credits: Vytautas the Great Museum, Sgt 1st Class Arnas Čemerka/MoD