Opening of the travelling exhibition in Kharchiv 2025, ©Photo: Yermilov Centre
Modernism in Ukraine: Modern Roots and Heritage of Kharkiv and Lviv
Travelling Exhibition
Modernism in Ukraine
Modern Roots and Heritage of Kharkiv and Lviv is a significant exhibition series highlighting the architectural and cultural heritage of modernist buildings in Ukraine, focusing specifically on the cities of Kharkiv and Lviv. Initiated as part of a cross-border collaboration under the European Triennial of Modernism (ETOM), the exhibition is a joint initiative established alongside DOCOMOMO International and ICOMOS. This framework aims to promote and preserve modernist heritage across Europe through research, documentation, and public engagement.
The exhibition is designed as a travelling series, which can be displayed either in its entirety or partially, depending on the venue and specific context. This flexibility allows cultural institutions to adapt the presentation to their spatial and curatorial requirements while maintaining the exhibition’s thematic integrity.
Conceived in 2022 as a six-part series, Modernism in Ukraine comprises 283 panels that document, contextualize, and interpret modernist architectural landmarks of Kharkiv and Lviv. These panels were first presented during the 2022 Triennale der Moderne in Berlin and are the result of extensive research on Ukraine’s modernist heritage, highlighting its aesthetic, historical, and socio-cultural significance. The exhibition emphasizes the role of modernist architecture as a shared European cultural legacy and advocates for its preservation, particularly amid contemporary threats and challenges.
In 2025, the exhibition arrived in Ukraine, with Sections 3, 4, and 6 displayed at the iconic Derzhprom complex in Kharkiv, a monumental constructivist structure from the late 1920s. This site, recognized as a potential UNESCO World Heritage candidate, suffered damage from Russian bombardments in late 2024, underscoring the urgent need to document, protect, and promote modernist architectural heritage. Despite these challenges, a pre-opening took place on May 7, attended by key contributors including Prof. Svitlana Smolenska, the author of chapters 4 and 6, highlighting the resilience and commitment of the Ukrainian cultural community in sustaining heritage initiatives under difficult circumstances.
The selected exhibition sections displayed at Derzhprom consist of approximately 120 panels, featuring a combination of photographic documentation and textual interpretation. The materials provide a detailed account of the architectural landmarks of Kharkiv and Lviv, explaining their stylistic features, historical context, and cultural significance. The exhibition situates these buildings within a broader European modernist narrative, emphasizing shared values, the importance of conservation, and the potential for adaptive restoration.
The presentation at Derzhprom is realized in collaboration with the YermilovCentre, a prominent local cultural institution. By combining visual and textual materials, the exhibition enables visitors to engage critically with the built environment, fostering an understanding of modernism not only as an aesthetic movement but also as an enduring cultural and civic legacy.
The exhibition opened to the public on May 13, 2025, at the Kharkiv Media Hub Gallery (Svoboda Square 5, 5th entry) and is accessible Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 to 18:00, with free admission. While additional Ukrainian locations, including Lviv, are under consideration, the exhibition’s travelling nature ensures its adaptability and potential for broader dissemination, encouraging cross-regional and international engagement.
The organizers stress the importance of public visibility and international support, particularly in contexts where cultural heritage faces existential threats. By promoting awareness, collaboration, and scholarly discourse, Modernism in Ukraine seeks to galvanize an international community of advocates dedicated to the protection, interpretation, and sustainable restoration of modernist architecture in Ukraine and beyond. Stakeholders are encouraged to share information about the exhibition through digital platforms, social media, and professional networks to maximize outreach and impact.
Modernism in Ukraine: Modern Roots and Heritage of Kharkiv and Lviv exemplifies the critical role of travelling exhibitions in heritage preservation, scholarly research, and public engagement. Through its documentation, interpretation, and international collaboration, the series not only celebrates the architectural achievements of Ukrainian modernism but also reinforces the importance of cross-border initiatives in safeguarding Europe’s modernist legacy for future generations.
