Ukraine
Coming to terms with the past
Childhoods of war and the culture of remembrance
Dealing with the past is a central pillar of forumZFD's peace work in Ukraine. Even before the Russian attack, the "War Childhood Museum" opened its doors in Kiev – a unique space for remembrance and dialogue. The museum collects and presents stories of children who have suffered from war and flight, enriched by personal objects such as toys.
The War Childhood Museum in Kiev is a living bridge between past and present.
The War Childhood Museum: a living archive
After the "original" already enjoyed great popularity in Sarajevo, we have now implemented this approach in Ukraine. The museum is not just a collection of stories and objects. It is a living bridge between the past and the present, which helps to understand the impact of the conflict on the younger generation and to create a deeper awareness of the need for peace.
The museum is a living archive that documents and presents the personal experiences of war children. Through these stories, often linked to personal objects such as toys, the public is given an authentic insight into the impact of war and conflict on children's lives.
Around 66,000 children are directly affected by the war in Ukraine. The War Childhood Museum gives them a voice.
The opening had to be postponed several times due to the coronavirus pandemic. The joy was all the greater when the grand opening finally took place in 2021.
On display, for example, are toys such as this plush bunny...
...or this children's book.
The War Childhood Museum is the only museum in the world that focuses on the influence of war on children and young people.
forumZFD board member Alexander Mauz was also a guest at the opening, here in conversation with Iuliia Skubytska (center), project manager of the War Childhood Museum Ukraine, and Anneli Droste, then head of the forumZFD program in Ukraine.
Preparations for the exhibition started at the beginning of 2018.
The idea originally came from Jasminko Halilovic, the founder of the War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo. Halilovic was also a guest at the opening.
The exhibition promotes understanding of the situation of children and young people in war.
The War Childhood Museum is more than a static museum. It is a living archive that is constantly growing and exhibited globally. The stories are carefully presented with relevant objects that concretely document the experience. Through this unique method, the exhibition is lent both locally and internationally, so that the experiences of the children concerned reach a broad public.
Effects of a state of emergency that lasted almost forty years
Chernobyl, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Maidan Revolution, Russian annexation and aggression - Ukraine has experienced a long history of conflict and political upheaval. These have had a profound impact on the lives of countless people, especially children. The museum provides an important historical context that helps to understand the country's current challenges. It illustrates how generations of children were shaped by war and political unrest.
Remembering in order to be able to look forward
The "War Childhood Museum" plays an important role in Ukraine's culture of remembrance. It serves as a place of reflection and understanding. The museum enables visitors to engage with the often overlooked impact of war on the youngest and most vulnerable members of society. It fosters a deep understanding of the need for peace and stability.
Past / Future / Art: Art as a tool for remembrance work
In addition to the museum, forumZFD supports the art project "Past / Future / Art". This project, which already existed before the Russian invasion, uses artistic methods to process history and memory. In contrast to conventional remembrance projects, which often only allow for one narrative, the focus here is on inclusive and non-judgemental reappraisal. For example, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster was also a topic.
Political influence and challenges
forumZFD's work also influences the political landscape, especially when it comes to monuments and public places of remembrance. In Butscha, for example, this work is particularly risky and complex, but of crucial importance. The interventions aim to create an inclusive culture of remembrance that incorporates different perspectives rather than glorifying one narrative. Striving to understand and come to terms with the past is not only a cultural act, but also a political one.