The presentation-performance of the book “Memorial bread. Bread that is eaten after death” took place

On July 12, the Museum hosted a presentation performance of the book “Memorial Bread. Bread that is eaten after death.” The event was dedicated to the memory of the victims of all genocides against the Ukrainian people: both the Holodomor of 1932-1933 and the modern Russian-Ukrainian war.

Iryna Rachkovska-Bakovetska, the author of the book, together with traditional performers – Ludmyla Vostrikova, Alla Kovalchuk, Yurii Kovalchuk and Andrii Liashuk – recreated the ancient memorial rite of Polissia: “celebration of Grandfathers”. The sound of authentic singing and the traditional Ukrainian instrument of the lyre combined with Ms Iryna’s poems and the aesthetics of folk clothing.

Mothers and wives of fallen soldiers took part in the performance. It was they who brought out 8 types of memorial bread, baked by artisans from the Rivne region. Iryna Rachkovska-Bakovetska spoke in more detail about each of them, and later the guests had the opportunity to taste them.

Many spectators gathered in the Hall of Memory, including Maksym Udovychenko, director of the State Enterprise “Center for the Protection of the Information Space of Ukraine” of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine; Ihor Stepurin, publisher of the book; Vasyl Vovk, Ukrainian military, political and public figure, who investigated the Holodomor of 1932–1933, under his leadership the Security Service of Ukraine declassified and opened free access to historical archives;Maryna Bryl, director of the State Scientific and Methodological Center for the Content of Cultural and Artistic Education; Vlada Lytovchenko, director of the Vyshgorod Historical and Cultural Reserve, Candidate of Historical Sciences, member of the Expert Council on Intangible Cultural Heritage; Oksana Levkova, head of the board of the non-governmental organisation “Don’t be indifferent!”, candidate of sciences in social communications, public activist who works with the families of fallen soldiers. Liudmyla Dmytruk, head of the Korets community, who participated in the Rivne delegation of this event, also spoke.

With gratitude, the Museum received as a gift several truly beautiful copies of the book “Memorial Bread. Bread that is eaten after death.” We will wait for new events and cooperation!