Thematic-Narrative Exhibition “The Invisible”

The Invisible. Resilience: Past and Present of the Roma is a thematic-narrative exhibition about reclaiming visibility. Once silenced, today Roma voices speak boldly, distinctly, and with a right to equality. At the center of the exhibition is Roma identity as a form of resistance that runs throughout history—from persecution during the genocide of the Roma in World War II to the strength, visibility, and civic engagement of Roma communities in Ukraine today, amid an ongoing struggle for justice in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Through testimonies of Roma survivors, archival materials, and contemporary artistic media, the exhibition shows how silence transforms into voice, trauma into strength, and invisibility into presence. These are not only stories of past survival—they are stories of shaping the future.

Curators: Nataliya Tomenko, Chinara Majidova, Volodymyr Yakovenko
Historical Consultant: Mykhailo Tyahlyi

The exhibition is created by the Youth Agency for the Advocacy of Roma Culture “ARCA” in partnership with the National Historical and Memorial Preserve “Babyn Yar” and the Ukrainian Center for Holocaust Studies, with support from the Embassy of Germany in Ukraine and the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance. Media support provided by the Ukrainian Roma Advocacy Alliance “AURA”.

The exhibition opens with historical context: documentary evidence of the genocide of the Roma in Ukraine during World War II. Archival photographs, documents, and recorded testimonies from survivors reveal a little-known and long-silenced chapter of history. Personal stories, video testimonies, and illustrations allow Roma survivors of persecution to speak directly to the viewer. These materials not only document the systemic violence and displacement endured by Roma communities, but also underscore the emotional and cultural scars left by the genocide. This living, witnessed memory forms the foundation of the exhibition and is the primary means of restoring dignity and recognition to those who were rendered invisible.

The exhibition presents the perspectives of contemporary Roma artists—descendants of the second and third generations of Roma who survived the genocide during World War II. They explore intergenerational trauma and the consequences of erased identity. The digital works of Nataliya Tomenko are deeply personal visual reflections on themes of fear, survival, and resilience. She does not merely document; she draws the viewer into a psychological and emotional space of memory, building a bridge between past and present. Together with an animated short film, these works allow the audience to experience a living heritage that shapes contemporary Roma identity and a sense of belonging.

The final section of the exhibition turns to the present. Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Maksymov presents a series of dynamic collages depicting modern Roma military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as cultural and civic figures. These works highlight the ongoing struggle for dignity, visibility, and inclusion of Roma in Ukrainian public life. Against the backdrop of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Maksymov’s portraits honor Roma citizens who resist marginalization, actively participate in civic life, and fight for justice. This concluding chapter of the exhibition connects the resilience of the past with the energy of the contemporary Roma movement, emphasizing that Roma history is not only a story of suffering, but also one of strength, continuity, and shaping the future.

Address: “Living Memory” Exhibition Center, 46A Yuri Illienko St.
Exhibition Dates: August 2 – September 7, 2025
Opening Hours:
Mon–Fri: 10:00–19:00
Sat–Sun: 11:00–19:00
Free Admission