- August 12, 2025
- 1:26 pm
- Ukraine
A large-scale exhibition dedicated to the dialogue between Israel and Ukraine has opened in Kyiv. Through works of art, archival photos, and avant-garde pieces, the project highlights the solidarity of the two nations and their shared historical trials.
“Jerusalem – Kyiv: from A to Z”
At the Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv, the exhibition “Jerusalem – Kyiv. From A to Z” has opened, bringing together not only works of art but also the historical memory of the two nations. The project was created by the Embassy of the State of Israel in Ukraine (Israel in Ukraine), the Israeli Cultural Center “Nativ”, the Honorary Consulate of the State of Israel in the Western Region of Ukraine (Oleg Vyshnyakov), the Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv (Museum of Kyiv) and its branch, the Museum of the Avant-Garde (Museum of the Avant-Garde), as well as with the participation of the art foundation “City Cat”.
Key facts about the exhibition
- Format: International art and historical exhibition
- Organizers: Embassy of the State of Israel in Ukraine, “Nativ”, Honorary Consulate of Israel in the Western Region of Ukraine, Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv, Museum of the Avant-Garde branch, City Cat art foundation
- Authors: Ukrainian artist Vanda Orlova (Solarism), Israeli digital artists, masters of 20th-century avant-garde
- Exhibits: Graphics, documentary photographs, avant-garde works, unique typography
- Project geography: Kyiv → Odesa → Lviv → Chernivtsi
- Address: 7 Bohdan Khmelnytsky Street, Kyiv
- Opening hours: August 6, 2025 – September 7, 2025, Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00–19:00 (Monday and Tuesday — closed)
Exhibition on the museum website – https://kyivhistorymuseum.org.ua/
Jerusalem is the spiritual center of the Jewish people, where religion, history, and culture intertwine. Kyiv is an ancient capital, the cradle of Ukrainian statehood, and an important center of Jewish life for centuries. Both cities share the experience of wars, occupations, revivals, and cultural breakthroughs.
Mark Dovew, Advisor to the Israeli Embassy and Head of the “Nativ” Mission:
“Words that come from the heart find their way to the hearts of others. Today, as both Ukraine and Israel continue to fight for their future, cultural dialogue is not a luxury, but a necessity.”
What visitors will see
- Graphic works in the style of “Solarism”. Artist Vanda Orlova uses the rare Ukrainian Izhitsa Regular font, inspired by Old Slavic manuscripts. In her works, the architectural silhouettes of Kyiv and Jerusalem merge into a single artistic language.
- Israeli digital art. The City Cat art foundation presented digital works depicting Jerusalem from ancient stone walls to modern cultural spaces.
- Avant-garde heritage. Israeli masters: Reuven Rubin, Moshe Castel, Yosef Zaritsky. Ukrainian artists: Alexandra Exter, Naum Sobol, Mykhailo Weinstein.
- Archival photographs. Documentary photos from the Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv’s collection capturing key events in the life of the two cities.
Vanda Orlova and the Ukrainian Izhitsa Regular font: Art that speaks
The Ukrainian section of the exhibition belongs to Vanda Orlova — a well-known Ukrainian artist and founder of the Art Fine Nation collective. Her authorial style, Solarism, combines a rich color palette with light accents that create an inner glow effect.
The hallmark of Orlova’s works at this exhibition is her use of the Ukrainian Izhitsa Regular font, based on the half-uncial script used in Old Slavic manuscripts. This font is not just a design element but a symbolic piece of art, bridging historical heritage and modern graphics.
“Ukrainian Izhitsa Regular” is more than text. It is an art object that conveys the atmosphere of an era when words had sacred meaning, and each letter was a work of art.
Orlova’s works present Kyiv in a special visual key — they seem to glow from within, inviting the viewer to look into the soul of the city. This approach resonates with the way Israeli masters from City Cat portray Jerusalem — a city that lives simultaneously in antiquity and modernity.
Historical context: From pilgrimage to diplomacy
The ties between Kyiv and Jerusalem have deep roots. In the 20th century, after World War II, a significant number of Jews from Ukraine repatriated to Israel, strengthening cultural and family ties. Today, these connections are taking on a new form — cultural projects, joint educational programs, and exhibitions that deepen mutual understanding.
Solidarity in times of trial
The opening of the exhibition became a sign of support for Israel from Ukrainians and vice versa. Contemporary art here serves as the language of diplomacy: through images, fonts, light, and archives, a dialogue is created that is understood without translation.
Viktoria Mukha, General Director of the Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv: “Our cities are united by the experience of fighting for identity and freedom. Today, we understand each other like never before.”
From Kyiv to Chernivtsi
After finishing in Kyiv, the exhibition will travel to Odesa, Lviv, and Chernivtsi — cities with a rich Jewish heritage. Thus, the project not only showcases art but also recreates the map of Jewish-Ukrainian history and the present.
Practical information
- Where: Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv, 7 Bohdan Khmelnytsky Street
- When: Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00–19:00
- Closed: Monday and Tuesday
- Tickets: Available at the museum’s ticket office
Exhibition on the museum website – https://kyivhistorymuseum.org.ua/
- The “Jerusalem – Kyiv. From A to Z” exhibition is a unique cultural project connecting the spiritual and historical symbols of the two countries.
- The event strengthens the cultural and diplomatic bridge between Israel and Ukraine.
- Art, archives, and avant-garde works create a living dialogue between peoples who value freedom and identity.
NAnews – News of Israel: we continue to follow cultural initiatives that bring Israel and Ukraine closer together, and share what truly unites communities and cities.
