У межах виставки «Невидимі. Стійкість: минуле і сучасність ромів» відбулися кураторські екскурсії, я

As part of the exhibition Invisible. Resilience: The Past and Present of the Roma, a series of guided tours were held at the Center for Living Memory. These tours were led by Volodymyr Yakovenko, Executive Director of the Youth Agency for the Advocacy of Roma Culture ARCA. Among the attendees were representatives of the police, educational institutions, and civil society organizations.

The conversations during the tours addressed both the artistic dimension of the exhibition and the historical context — as well as the current state of Roma communities in Ukraine.

These guided tours became a platform for dialogue and a tool for challenging stereotypes. They provided space to present “other” Roma — educated, talented, and civically engaged — and helped highlight shared experiences and common ground between Roma and non-Roma Ukrainians. The exhibition also reaffirms that Roma history is an inseparable part of Ukraine’s social and cultural life.

The structure of the exhibition leads visitors on a journey from past to present, tracing the Roma community’s path from invisibility to voice.

• The first section provides historical context: archival documents, photographs, and testimonies related to the genocide of Roma during the Second World War.

• The next segment focuses on persecution: maps of mass shootings, camps, and burial sites.

• At the heart of the exhibition are illustrated portraits of genocide victims accompanied by short biographies — restoring the personal and human dimension of the tragedy.

• A dedicated section explores intergenerational memory through the lens of contemporary Roma artists, especially the works of Nataliia Tomenko, who reflects on her family's experience through art.

• Other exhibition elements include video testimonies from survivors, a short animated film about a Roma girl during the Holocaust, and an interactive digital book featuring stories of those who survived.

The final part showcases modern collages by Oleksandr Maksymov, depicting Roma service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as Roma artists and civic leaders. These works emphasize the active role of Roma in today’s Ukrainian society — on the frontlines, in the arts, and in public life.

The exhibition concludes with the filmed documentary performance Voices That Have Names, which draws a powerful parallel between the history of the Roma genocide and the present-day experiences of Roma communities during russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

“I am truly grateful to everyone who came and showed genuine interest in this topic. It is critically important for us not only to speak about the tragic pages of Roma history but also to foster intercultural dialogue. Events like this help dismantle harmful narratives, show the richness and diversity of Roma culture, and reaffirm its importance for Ukraine.

We strive to ensure that Roma voices are heard — and that they become an integral part of Ukraine’s collective memory,” — said Volodymyr Yakovenko, curator of the exhibition and Executive Director of the Youth Agency for the Advocacy of Roma Culture ARCA.