Museum of the Ukrainian Diaspora

About

The Museum of Ukrainian Diaspora (Ukrainian: Музей української діаспори, romanized: Muzei ukrainskoi diaspory), formerly known as the Museum of Cultural Heritage, in Kyiv, Ukraine, is dedicated to the history and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian diaspora, from the late 19th century to present day. Founded in 1999, the museum is housed in a late 18th-century mansion in the historical Pechersk district in Kyiv. Eight exhibition rooms display more than 20,000 art, archival and other objects, the majority donated by "institutions and private collectors from Canada, the United States, and Australia," as part of its mission to "strengthen national identity and Ukrainian unity by preserving the history and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian diaspora." Exhibits build individual and group profiles through photographic images, documents, personal effects, albums, books, art, and other artifacts. Among them are bios of actress Vera Farmiga, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland, U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and historian Volodymyr Kubijovyč, editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia of Ukraine. The museum also features work by artist David Burliuk, the Krychevsky art dynasty...

See also: List of Ukrainian artists Several halls of the museum are dedicated to the work of immigrant artists Lyudmyla Morozova, Oleksa Bulavnytsky, Vadym Dobrolizh among others, along with avant-garde artists David Burliuk, Oksana Pavlenko, known for her Boychuk links, and "Painter's Workshop" artist Alexander Shevchenko.

There is also a collection dedicated to the scattered artistic Krychevsky dynasty, some of whom lived in France, others in the United States, and still others in Venezuela. Pictures and sketches depict Vasyl Krychevsky, while watercolors portray Mykola Krychevsky and Kateryna Krychevska-Rosandich, in addition to several works of Vasyl Krychevsky, Jr.

Memorial rooms trace the history of notable former residents of Kyiv, including aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky, pianist Vladimir Horowitz, conductor-composer Oleksandr Koshetz, and many others. The most prominent exhibit is dedicated to the life and work of famed ballet master Serge Lifar.

A permanent exhibit showcases aircraft designer Igor Sikorsky, and includes "models of his innovative airplanes, blending engineering marvels with historical insights."

See also: Ukrainian War of Independence and Ukrainian People's Republic The museum also has exhibits on the Ukrainian diaspora groups that fought for the restoration of Ukrainian statehood (1918–1921), such as the Ukrainian National Association in Canada, the World Congress of Ukrainians, and the scouting organization Plast.