“You can’t see this if you stay at home”

Lviv is now hosting The Day’s Photo Exhibit, which displays 150 pictures made by both professional and amateur photographers, winners of The Day’s 12th International Photo Competition.

The photo exhibit was unveiled at the National University of Lviv Polytechnic by its Rector Yurii Bobalo (who, incidentally, cut short his sojourn abroad to be present at the opening ceremony) and the The Day’s editor-in-chief Larysa Ivshyna. The Day’s Photo Exhibit will remain open at Lviv Polytechnic until November 26. Until then, each visitor will be able to vote for what they think is the best picture, and make an entry in the visitors’ book. Afterwards the exhibition will move to Lutsk.

Meanwhile, we invite you to read about the impression that the Lviv exhibit made on its first visitors.

Vasyl KOSIV, Deputy Mayor of Lviv for Social Issues:

“It seems to me that The Day’s Exhibit has brought much energy and Ukrainian spirit to Lviv, and we are taking a new approach, thanks to the exposition, to the word ‘patriotism.’ The photo exhibit shows Ukraine as a beautiful country full of good events, in which so many dreams are coming true today.”

Bohdan KOZAK, People’s Artist of Ukraine, actor at the Maria Zankovetska Theater, Shevchenko Prize winner:

“What we can see here are glimpses of real, not reenacted life. For example, the freshest, most painful and radiant picture for me is Yurii Illienko who is going up an escalator. The photo is titled Ascent to Heaven. Indeed, he is there now. I also liked the pictures that show the Kharkiv events. What also struck me is the photograph A Cry into the Future. In a word, there are brilliant photos that display the captured moments. This exhibit is a chronicle of present-day Ukraine — young and versatile. On the other hand, I was impressed by the black-and-white photos that show political squabbles. I will also remember the pictures of old people, such as A Forgotten Tune. This provides food for thought because it is an inner monologue. And we can hear it, looking at the picture. We can immediately catch the mood, the idea or the feeling that influences us. I think it is a worthwhile exhibit, and I wish The Day would publish an album of this exposition. The exhibit is badly needed, for it helps us understand the facets of Ukraine that we sometimes do not see. Besides, it is very important that the exhibit covers almost the entire Ukraine, from east to west, making it possible to see Ukraine as a whole.”

Tetiana DENYSIUK, homemaker:

“My daughter Marta and I took interest in this exhibit because she takes part in The Day’s Photo Competition. Although we have not yet won any prizes, this does not matter much, for the very participation in the splendid competition is a great honor for us. Marta attends a young animalist photographers’ society at the Lviv Ecology and Nature Center. She likes nature photography. Photography broadens my child’s horizons. Being a photography buff and your contest’s participant helps her see the beauty of things and develop artistically. It is Yurii Yusupov, the society’s instructor, who encouraged us take up photography. Incidentally, he himself took part in The Day’s Photo Competition several times. We are very grateful to the newspaper The Day for inviting us to the exhibition, even though we did not win.”

Yaroslav TABINSKY, graduate student, Faculty of Journalism, Lviv National Ivan Franko University:

“This photo exhibit helps students and other young people see an entirely different view of the world. They begin to see — from inside, in details and symbols — the world the way it is. We walk every day down the streets of Lviv, Kyiv, and other cities, often without thinking about the essence of human life. Conversely, photo artists depict this world in details and with their own specific vision, which is very important. There are a lot of photos here that were made in Ukrainian villages and show the hard life of peasants who plow the earth in early springtime, bake bread, harvest the crops, and get ready for Easter or Christmas. Urban life is totally different. It is rural Ukrainian symbols and traditions that we should cherish and show. What appeals to me the most is Svitlana Korolionok’s photo Liubov Maksymivna’s Summer Kitchen which depicts an old woman who is unable to scrape by on her scanty pension. She ekes out an existence and barely manages to survive, for it is really very hard to live in the countryside. I also like the photo from Kosmach, a source of Hutsul culture, from where Ukrainian photo artists draw inspiration. I once took part in this competition, too, and three of my works won awards. It is very gratifying because The Day’s exhi­bit gives young photo artists and amateurs, who can capture an instant and see through the objective’s lens differently, from inside. It is a chance to show their vision. They can see the world and Ukraine, and are showing them to others.”

Alla MARTYNIUK-MEDVETSKA, Senior Lecturer, Department of Restoration and Reconstruction, Institute of Architecture, National University of Lviv Polytechnic:

“Each of the The Day’s exhibit pieces mirrors a certain aspect of today’s Ukraine. I would nevertheless like to single out the photograph On the Guard by Kostiantyn Bobry­shchev from Kobeliaky, Poltava oblast. I have never been to many cities in eastern Ukraine and have not seen the so-called ‘Kurgan stelae,’ but this photo shows a number of them — possibly at the place of an ancient sanctuary. The photo exhibit opens windows to other regions of Ukraine, and shows what you cannot see if you stay at home. It also exposes the things you have seen more than once, only from a slightly different angle. I am referring to Volodymyr Dubas’ photograph March of Patriots which shows a little girl marching with grownup soldiers.”

Olesia PROKOPCHUK, printing worker:

“This exhibit mostly shows people and emotions. As a young photographer, I visit exhibits, including that of The Day, and thus learn. I cannot single out a photo that I like best because each of them is interesting. One can see here a lot of works from the Hutsul region, a place I went to last year to celebrate Christmas. I am also here today because the exhibit displays works by the photographer Volodymyr Dubas, my teacher.”

Yuliana LAVRYSH, student, Faculty of Journalism, Lviv National Ivan Franko University; graduate of Den’s Summer School of Journalism:

“I can see once again that Ukrainians are a unique and talented nation. At any rate, this year’s photo exhibit proves this. The pictures strike you with their unconventional and versatile nature. Each of them focuses on a certain problem that is an integral part of Ukrainian life. A Step into the Future depicts the position of Ukrainian students, A Second-Hand Book Seller deals with academic ethics, and A Forgotten Tune highlights the past through the prism of today. What I liked best is Kostiantyn Hryshyn’s Inspiration. In my view, this picture, which won the 1+1 TV channel’s special prize, points out very well the purpose of any creative, including journalistic, work: to make a ‘new vessel,’ an entirely different, much deeper and freer, space out of the palette of opinions (‘fragments of clay’). I also voted for Absolution, a picture that deals with Ukraine’s religious problems and its centuries-old Christian tradition, and provides a tremendous spiritual impetus to the viewer.”

Stepan KUBIV, a public figure, a member of the Front of Changes faction at the Lviv Oblast Council, who has donated The Day’s Library books and ten yearly newspaper subscriptions to the city’s libraries:

“Let me sincerely thank The Day’s editorial board, and Ms. Larysa Ivshyna in particular, for what they are doing. Having visited the photo exhibit, I have a heartfelt need to express myself because The Day is a newspaper of truth: its pages are full of articles on the past, present, and future. The inspiration that the photo exhibit instills prompts one to march towards a different future.”

Solomia OSTROVSKA, 11th grade pupil, Classical Gymnasium, Lviv:

“One is truly struck by the photo exhibit. What made a special imprint on my memory are the pictures that show elderly people. I think these works have a deep meaning. What appeals to me personally is that photo exhibit competitors are people of different ages, who represent all the regions of our state. This can unite us further.”

Khrystyna DUBNYTSKA, research associate, Institute of Architecture, National University of Lviv Polytechnic:

“I would like The Day’s photo competitions and exhibits to be held as often as possible because everyone who likes holding a photo camera in their hands can take part in these events. Today I voted for Yurko Diachyshyn’s UPA Veterans because I think this is the best work, revealing a message from our history.”

Lidia POPOVYCH, research associate, National University of Lviv Polytechnic:

“There are so many nice photographs here that I am at a loss for words to describe my impressions. Just look at this boy in the photo A Sparring Partner. The First Book is no worse… Splendid! I am sure to bring my granddaughter: let her have a look. It is not to be missed!”