The presentation of the book “Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow” by Lesya Bashniak (Chervinska) took place in the War Museum.
The edition is a result of the long research of the artistic heritage of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen. The author, Lesya Bashniak, describes the riflemen’s artworks of a unique phenomenon that became an important factor in the struggle for Ukrainian independence. The book also reveals graphic art, literature and music, showing their impact on the Ukrainian culture and shaping of national identity.
Ms. Bashniak mentioned that this event went beyond just presentation. It consolidated scientists, military, mass media, public activists and publishers for discussion of the symbolism of the Sich Riflemen’s creativity, which serves as an important bridge between the past and present.
During the presentation of the book, Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Anastasia Bondar noted that the event takes place in a symbolic place – the War Museum, and it is important that it is here that the conversation about our struggle for freedom and about what unites generations of Ukrainians takes place.
The event was attended by Peter Pomerantsev – media and propaganda specialist, writer, leading researcher at John Hopkins University (USA); Ihor Stepurin – representative of the publishing house "Samit-knyga", head of the Ukrainian Association of Publishers and Book Distributors; Andrii Kovaliov – spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Among the participants, there were also Professor Mykola Lytvyn, D. Hist. – Head of the Center of the Ukrainian-Polish Relations, I. Krypiakevych Institute of Ukrainian Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Vasyl Strilchuk – Director of the Municipal Institution “Brody Local History Museum” of the Brody City Council; Professor Olha Bench, Ph. D. in Art History – music researcher, People’s Artist of Ukraine, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ukraine (2005–2010); Pavlo Hai-Nyzhnyk, D. Hist. – Leading Researcher of the I. F. Kuras Institute of Politic and Ethnonational Studies, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
