Kilgore Memorial Library to host “Ukraine: War and Resistance” photo display

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

York, Nebr. – Kilgore Memorial Library, the public library in York, Nebraska, has been selected as the third site to host Ukraine: War and Resistance, an international exhibition of American and Ukrainian Photographers, Alumni of the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program.

This photo display will be available to view in the Kent Bedient Hall Gallery at the library beginning September 6. Deb Robertson, the director of Kilgore Memorial Library, is honored to work with Dr. Maorong Jiang from Creighton University to bring this amazing exhibit to York and to have this wonderful opportunity for our community. Dr. Jiang, Co-President of the Nebraska World Affairs Council in addition to his Creighton roles as Director of the Asian World Center and Associate Professor of Asian Politics, Comparative Politics and International Relations, worked closely with the Fulbright Program in Ukraine to create the photo exhibit.

The Fulbright Academic Exchange Program in Ukraine and Institute of International Education in Ukraine, in partnership with the Asian World Center at Creighton University, invite you to visit the exhibition of American and Ukrainian photographers Ukraine: War and Resistance. The authors of the photos are all Fulbright Alumni who are either from Ukraine, or Americans who spent their Fulbright year in Ukraine. The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious exchange programs in the world. With the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, this cohort of Fulbright photographers, both Ukrainians and Americans, found themselves at the epicenter of momentous events equipped with their own weapons of defense: knowledge and their cameras. They managed to capture the tragic and heroic, devastating and hopeful moments of present life in Ukraine. These photos were exhibited for the first time in Ukraine during the Fall of 2022 as a single exhibition at the Museum of the City of Vinnytsia.

Now, in 2023, both the geography and meaning of the exhibition continue to expand because the themes and plots within these works have become increasingly important for the preservation of democracy across the globe. Thanks to the joint initiative of the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program in Ukraine, the Institute of International Education in Ukraine, and Asian World Center at Creighton University, the photo exhibition Ukraine: War and Resistance was displayed at Creighton University in Omaha from April through June.

The photo exhibition presents the works of JT Blatty, Alexey (Oleksii) Furman, Brendan Hoffman, Serhii Korovayny, Oksana Parafeniuk, Joseph Sywenkyj, and Emine Ziyatdinova.

The Fulbright Program is operated by U.S. Department of State in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide. It ensures scientific, educational and cultural exchanges. The Fulbright Program in Ukraine is led and administered in partnership with Embassy Kyiv and U.S. Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs by the Institute of International Education (IIE) Ukraine office.

The program was established in 1946 on the initiative of Senator J. William Fulbright from the State of Arkansas, who endeavored to improve interaction and to increase mutual understanding between countries through international exchanges in order to avoid wars and human suffering.

According to Fulbright, the exchange program is not a panacea but an avenue of hope.

Other organizations involved with bringing this exhibit to York include the Asian World Center, the Nebraska World Affairs Council, and Philosophy for Children. Dr. Jiang is an Associate Professor in the Political Science and International Relations Department at Creighton University, Director of Creighton’s Asian World Center, and Co-President of the Nebraska World Affairs Council. Dr. Jinmei Yuan, Professor of Philosophy at Creighton University, leads the Philosophy for Children program.

The Fulbright Program in Ukraine has existed since 1992. For 30 years, it has provided the opportunity for hundreds of Ukrainians and Americans to gain Fulbright experience in the U.S. and Ukraine, respectively. The network of personal and professional contacts between Ukrainians and Americans, formed in particular thanks to the Program, has worked in favor of the support of Ukraine by the U.S. government and American society through all challenges small and large, including the pandemic and the war. The durability and resilience of the Fulbright Program is a testament to Fulbrighters worldwide.

Founded in 2006, the Asian World Center at Creighton University is focused on constructing and engaging unique relationships between the cultures of Asia and the Western world. Through comparative study, collaborative research, and intercultural exchange, the AWC takes a multifaceted and comprehensive approach to the education of the self and society. The final aim is to build a better world for all humankind by bringing together the necessary tools for continued understanding and progress.

The Philosophy for Children (P4C) program started in Fall 2006 under the leadership of Dr. Jinmei Yuan, Professor of Philosophy at Creighton. Dr. Yuan worked closely with Dr. Thomas Jackson, Director of Philosophy in the Schools Project at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, during her Ph.D. candidacy there and officially brought the program to Creighton. Since January 2007, P4C at Creighton has been actively involved in several schools throughout Omaha as well as schools in China, including a school in rural Tibet.

Nebraska World Affairs Council (NEWAC), a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational organization, is dedicated to providing pathways to broaden and deepen public awareness and understanding of international affairs. NEWAC works with partners to engage Nebraskans of all ages and communities with the world and with each other. Kilgore Memorial Library, located at 520 N Nebraska Avenue in York, Nebraska is the only Public Library accredited by the Nebraska Library Commission in York County. Kilgore Library serves all residents of York County. The library provides WIFI from 6:00 am to midnight every day. This service is available outside the building 365 days of the year. During open hours, the library provides computers for public use, meeting spaces for nonprofit and educational groups, and print resources for research and leisure needs. The library also provides access to digital resources available 24/7 to registered users.

For more information, please contact Deb Robertson at 402-363-2620 or kilgore@cityofyork.net

Contact: Deb Robertson, Director
Company name: Kilgore Memorial Library
Contact phone number: 402-363-2620 extension 626
Email address: drobertson@cityofyork.net