On June 22, 1941, the German-Soviet War began, and by September, Kyiv had fallen into Nazi hands. For its residents, this marked the beginning of the most harrowing trials: hunger, mass executions, forced labor, fear, and the struggle for survival.
The Soviet army retreated, leaving behind a mined city, widespread destruction, and bewildered inhabitants. But the true horror for Kyiv’s residents was just beginning.
The Nazis swiftly established a new order: forced labor, deadly punishments for any disobedience, and the deportation of young people to work in Germany. During the two years of occupation, the capital became a site of mass executions, total control, and relentless struggle. Life for Kyivans was an existence on the edge—without any certainty of tomorrow.
On March 27, Tetiana Zabolotna, PhD in History and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of History of Ukraine (National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine) will shed light on how Kyivans adapted to this new reality and their chosen survival strategies.
How did the local authorities attempt to combat hunger and keep the city functioning? Why were people afraid to step outside? How did schools, hospitals, and public services operate? Where did residents find food? How did the Nazi propaganda machine work?
The topic of Nazi occupation in Kyiv is not just about the past. It is about understanding how to survive when the world around you seems to be falling apart. It is about the choice between fear and resistance.
Join the lecture to see the capital through the eyes of its residents during its darkest times.
