On May 21, Ukraine celebrated the Day of Interethnic Harmony and Cultural Diversity for the first time. The history of this memorial date dates to October 2023, when the initiative to introduce the corresponding holiday was taken by the public organization “Council of National Communities of Ukraine”, which submitted a corresponding petition to the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. On December 27, 2024, the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 883/2024 established the “Day of Interethnic Harmony and Cultural Diversity” and also established its fixed date (May 21).

Is the emergence of a new holiday relevant for modern Ukraine? Absolutely yes, because it is the unity of Ukrainians of different ethnic origins and religious affiliations that is the inexhaustible resource in the struggle for their own state, its independence and personal freedom in the confrontation with the modern empire of Evil.

The Dnieper region reflects the amazing combination of cultures and traditions of the different communities that inhabit it. On the initiative of the Museum's partner – the University of Customs and Finance and with the assistance of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, a festival of national communities of our region was held in Dnipro on May 21. Representatives of 15 national communities, including the Jewish community, took part in it.

The festival was open with speeches from representatives of the authorities and each of the communities. On behalf of the Jewish community of Dnipro and the region, one of the leaders of the Jewish revival in the region, Rabbi Shmuel Livshits, addressed all participants and guests of the festival with welcoming words.

The presentation of Jewish cultural and religious heritage included: an emotional musical performance by the Grotesque Quartet, master classes organized by the National Sofrut Center (we express special gratitude to the Center's staff Mendel Margolin), the All-Ukrainian Women's Jewish Organization “Kesher Project”, as well as a museum mini exhibition based on artifacts from the collections of our Museum.

Each visitor to the exhibition had the opportunity not only to get acquainted with items that are significant for Jewish spiritual life, to better understand their symbolism and purpose, but also to literally taste a part of Jewish tradition – challah, matzah, kosher wine and grape juice.

The mini exhibition, which is in the main hall of the 1st building of the University of Customs and Finance, is available for viewing for a month. And those who are interested in the history and culture of Jewish communities in Ukraine, we will be happy to see them directly at our Museum.

Videos from the festival can be viewed here: