7th October 10-4pm
Merchant Taylors’ Hall, York
The fascinating historical links between York and Ukraine will be explored in a new exhibition hosted by a refugee living in York.
Featuring period costumes made by Ukrainian historians and reconstruction experts, the exhibition will examine what 18th century York residents might have made of the Cossack state called ‘Hetmanat’ which is now modern day Ukraine – as well as how the Coassack region looked to the west for inspiration of culture.
It’s all the brainchild of Anna Gorozhenko, a journalist and author of historical novels who moved to York with her daughter last year after fleeing the war in Ukraine.
She’s also created a historical documentary called History in Style about life in Kyiv in 1730-1750 telling the stories of real characters who lived in the Kyiv region, made with historians, museum workers and volunteer actors from Ukraine.
Curator Anna says: “North Yorkshire has been hugely welcoming of Ukrainians since the war began, taking in hundreds of refugees like myself. But the links between our two regions go way back and this is an opportunity to celebrate this.
“Some of the historians – Olha and Serhiy Shamenkov – who made the costumes for this exhibition created these pieces under Russian bombings so these are really important works.
The exhibition also includes information about the links between merchants in York and Ukrainian Cossack merchants as well as memories of a British officer who lived in Kyiv for many years in the late 17th century.
Other highlights of the exhibition include: 17th century map of Cossack State created by Beuplan and published in Paris Stories about merchants of the Eastland Company based in York, Newcastle and Hull. Established in 16th century by Elizabeth I, they sold goods from Ukrainian lands.
Video of Project “History in Style” with reconstruction of life in Kyiv in 1730-1750 with english subtitles.
Copy of 18th century portraits from Chernihiv Art Gallery Galagans Museum.
Replica costumes from Ukraine – project History in Style, costumes made on base on pieces of museum collection – three costumes.
Ukrainian baroque recipes.
Anna’s exhibition runs at the Merchant Taylors Hall in York on October 7th, 10am-4pm.