Interactive Exhibit 'That Day' Relocates to Lviv, Raising 1.5 Million UAH for Ukrainian Museums

Interactive Exhibit 'That Day'

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Developed by the Ukraine WOW team, the interactive exhibition 'That Day' was launched to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s restored independence, with backing from President Volodymyr Zelensky. The exhibit, divided into three sections-'Choice,' 'What Defines Us,' and 'Dream'-opened in time for Ukraine’s Independence Day. However, following the onset of air raid alerts and missile attacks beginning August 27, the exhibition was moved from Kyiv to Lviv for safety reasons.

Over the course of more than 20 days, the project welcomed upwards of 62,000 visitors, nearly 15,000 of whom attended free of charge. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of attendees, the exhibition raised a total of 1.5 million hryvnias to support Ukrainian museums. Among the notable guests were Ivan Oleksandrovych Zaets, Nadiya Lukyanenko, and European Council President Charles Michel (António Costa is President of Portugal, but the text refers to the European Council President).

Exhibition Halls

In the 'Choice' section, visitors explored the pivotal events of 1991, including parliamentary votes for independence and the nationwide referendum. Notably, 95% of guests reported being under 18 or not yet born at the time independence was declared. This hall featured an interactive display where the blue and yellow flag was raised over the Ukrainian parliament dome more than 14,000 times. Additionally, over 8,000 television news clips and 7,000 radio reports about Ukraine’s independence were documented. The exhibit also showcased copies of the December 1, 1991, referendum ballots-approximately 16,000 paper and nearly 6,000 electronic versions.

In the 'What Defines Us' hall, more than 7,000 participants voted on key Ukrainian traits. The top qualities identified were:

• Resilience (68.7%)
• Love of freedom (67.4%)
• Strength (59.9%)
• Humor (57.6%)
• Connection to homeland (53.7%)

The 'Dream' section engaged over 8,000 visitors who selected five values from a list of 35. The most frequently chosen were:

• Freedom (55%)
• Love of life (36.3%)
• Security (33.3%)
• Humanity (32.7%)
• Dignity (27.6%)

More than 3,000 people shared their thoughts on what they would do first when 'that day' arrives. The most common responses included:

• Shedding tears (17.8%)
• Feeling joy (12%)
• Embracing or kissing loved ones (11.6%)
• Other personal reactions

Visitors also took home stones inscribed with words such as love (12,500), faith (12,500), and strength (12,000). The exhibition featured karaoke sessions where Ukrainian songs were popular choices, including 'Chervona Ruta' (15.3%), 'Smaragdove Nebo' (14.4%), and 'Stari Fotografii' (8.2%). In a separate poll about borscht recipes, 58.1% of over 4,600 respondents favored the version with beans.

Key artifacts on display included the Flag of Independence, official presidential symbols, the Constitution of Ukraine, historical relics, and prestigious international awards received by President Zelensky. Among the honors showcased were Oleksandr Usyk’s championship belt, Olga Kharlan’s saber from the 2024 Olympics, the BAFTA award, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, and numerous other significant distinctions.

“This was the most challenging project in our professional careers,” said organizers Yaroslava Hres and Yulia Solovey.

The organizers recalled that the opening ceremony was attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska. However, starting August 27, intensified attacks and frequent air raids forced the team to halt operations in Kyiv. Relocating to Lviv was described as a difficult but necessary decision. The new venue proved successful, drawing thousands of visitors daily.

The project received support from the President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada, the Ministry of Culture, Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways), the Lviv Regional Military Administration, and the Lviv Regional Council. Major partners included well-known companies such as ROZETKA, McDonald's, Bolt, Darnytsia, UPG, Ajax Systems, ARS Capital, Nova Poshta, Fire Point, Vyriy Industries, Dyki Shershni, SkyFall, UKR ARMO TECH, and Culver Aerospace.

'That Day' has become a significant cultural initiative, not only marking a major anniversary but also generating vital funds for Ukrainian museums. The exhibit attracted widespread public interest in a short time, highlighting the enduring importance of national identity and heritage amid contemporary challenges. The move to Lviv ensured the exhibition’s safety and continuity, demonstrating the resilience of cultural projects even during difficult times.

As the cultural landscape in Ukraine continues to evolve, initiatives like the interactive exhibit not only commemorate significant historical moments but also support ongoing humanitarian efforts. For instance, the upcoming photo exhibition in Riga aims to raise funds for children in Lviv, further highlighting the resilience and unity of the Ukrainian people during these challenging times.