FIGHTING FOR DIGNITY
The exhibition of photos from Ukrainian photojournalists shows resilience
at Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute
The 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea and invasion of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions have shaken Ukrainians all around the country. However, this story is nothing new. Ukrainian history of resistance to the incarnation of Russian imperialism dates back more than 300 years. First, it was the Russian Empire, then the Soviet Union, and now - Russia.
In a way, resilience is in our blood. It’s been passed through generations of our ancestors, who were killed, enslaved and deported to the farthest places in an effort to break our national identity. There’s no way we can betray them.
Since Feb. 24, we Ukrainians have been once again united in the spirit of resilience to Russian forces and protecting what’s ours. You can see the power in the eyes of our service members, grandmas who prepare tons of food and distribute it with volunteers, teenagers who are creating camouflage nets and learning how to throw Molotovs, and kids who obediently sit on their mothers’ hands like they’re trying to be calm on purpose. We are unified.
All of these photos were created by brave Ukrainian photojournalists. This war is personal to them; they work from a place of compassion and genuine care.
These photos give you a glimpse of how the Ukrainians go through highs and lows to pursue dignity.
This is a glimpse into who we are.
Visit the exhibition for the full story daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the lobby Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute in Columbia, Mo.
I want to thank all the amazing photographers, who contributed their photos to the exhibit:
Alexey Furman, Alina Smutko, Kateryna Moskalyuk, Viacheslav Ratynskyi, Danylo Pavlov, Andriy Dubchak, Serhii Korovaynyi, Yurko Dyachyshyn, Pavlo Petrov, Roman Pashkovskiy, Evgeniy Maloletka, Stas Yurchenko.
💛
And all the people who helped me with putting together this exhibition: Lynden Steele, Brian Kratzer, Emmalee Reed, Margo Wagner, Beatričė Bankauskaitė, Zach Linhares, Cory Macneil, Joshua L. Oppenlander, Jeff Q. McNeeley.
The exhibition was presented at the opening of during the 79th POY & CPOY Awards Event.
more info