In a bid to show continuing support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, the National Museum of Australia has introduced a Ukrainian audio tour for the Feared and Revered exhibition.

Back in 2020, First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, introduced an initiative that would see institutions around the world offer Ukrainian language options for those who may be visiting. It has been adopted by 38 countries with destinations like the Colosseum, Versailles, and Westminster Abbey offering Ukrainian audio tours.

The Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko says that when the First Lady of Ukraine started the project three years ago, she had no idea how many Ukrainians would become refugees in the not-too-distant future.

“It turned out to be a way to reach out to displaced people, those people who are going through difficult times and see uncertainty in the world, coming to countries where they don’t speak their language, trying to adjust trying to get on with their lives,” Mr Myroshnychenko says.

Now the initiative is seen as a way for institutions and nations to show their unwavering support of Ukraine as the invasion continues into its second year. With the latest to come on board being the National Museum of Australia, director Dr Matthew Trinca says while it is a small thing when you consider what is happening in Ukraine, it is what they can do. He says the NMA is devoted to the idea that art and cultural experiences are what make us human.

“It’s a way of opening up our arms to them and embracing them at this time. And at another level, it obviously has symbolic value. It has an expression of care and concern for all the people in Ukraine who find themselves in this terrible conflict, whoever. And it seems to me that reminding people of our essential humanity at these times is important,” says Dr Trinca.

A fire alarm and evacuation at the Museum preceding the launch, Mr Myroshnychenko says that in a small way, it gives a sense of the looming sense of ‘what if?’ that displaced people may feel.  

“This is what refugees feel, they feel uncertainty, they feel anxiety, they don’t know what the future is going to be like,” he says.

According to the Ambassador, initiatives like the one introduced at the Museum offer Ukrainian refugees some comfort, and to explore the culture of a foreign country is a way of connecting with the people and land they are on.  

Throughout history and particularly with this latest invasion, Russia has done everything possible to erase Ukrainian culture, identity, and the nation, says Mr Myroshnychenko. At this point in the war, he says Russia has used everything except nuclear weapons to try and defeat them.

Returning to Australia from a recent visit to Kyiv, Mr Myroshnychenko says it is impossible to sleep at night due to the relentless missile and drone strikes on the capital city. This is what the Ukrainian people live with every day; he says it’s difficult to comprehend until you experience it yourself.

“Every night you are reminded that you are at war, you see some of the destruction, you see the Russian equipment which is being exhibited at one of the main squares. Continuously you hear about the funerals of those people killed in the war, you read about it on social media, and you see it live in Kyiv,” he says.

After 16 months of a full-scale attack, five million Ukrainians have fled their homeland, now refugees in other nations. Not since World War II have we seen anything like this, says the Ambassador; it’s a tragedy for the Ukrainian people.

“We need to win this war, we need to defend democracy, we need to stand strong together because we are fighting for you as much as we are fighting for any other democracy in the world,” he says.

According to Mr Myroshnychenko, it is integral for the future of democracy that Ukraine regains its sovereignty entirely, which will only come when Russia is removed from Ukraine. While that is in the interest of any nation that wants to remain free, until then, we can speak the language of culture and of art, a universal language.

More than ever before, the Ambassador says he is certain Ukraine will not lose their culture or language, and he believes the rebirth of the Ukrainian nation will come from the tragedy.

“This actually has given a major step to the rebirth of the nation. We see a huge boost to Ukrainian creativity, so many songs, so many artists, so many performances are now being created which is caused by this brutal Russian invasion.

“This will be studied 50 years from now as a very important period of time that Ukraine had to go through, fighting for its freedom,” he says.

The motive of Russia is mind boggling, says the Ambassador; rather than try and fix the issues within their own nation, they try and break down their neighbours.

“Russia generally is a poor country and lots of people are suffering, they don’t even have a toilet at home, they have a toilet outside. Instead of actually facing Russian problems, they decide to invade the country next door, divert all those resources, kill people,” he says.

Mr Myroshnychenko says there are many ways for Australians to continue to help and show support for the people of Ukraine, such as donating to those who have lost their homes.

“They can help refugees, they can employ refugees, they can support Ukraine by posting positive things on social media, they reach out to their members of parliament and ask them to support Ukraine more,” he says.

“I see that support coming from different walks of life in Australia, from different people, and that gives me a bit of confidence. It gives me confidence that together we’re going to win this war.”

Feared and Revered at the National Museum of Australia until 23 August; nma.gov.au

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