The ‘100 years of Ukrainians in Ghent’ exhibition opened last weekend at St Salvator's Church in Sleepstraat in Ghent (East Flanders). The expo tells the story of a century of Ukrainian presence in the city. It highlights the heritage of Ghent’s Ukrainian community and the Ukrainian diaspora’s connection to the wider community in Ghent.
The exhibition charts the history of Ukrainian migration in Ghent during the past 100 years. In the early 1920 the National Ukrainian Choir of the Ukrainian People’s Republic conducted by Alexander Koshetz performed in Ghent’s Royal Dutch Theatre (KNS) on the Sint-Baafsplein. This performance marked the beginning of the Ukrainian presence in the city.
Since then the Ukrainian community has grown to become a tight-knit community with its own religious and cultural centre at the St Salvator's Church.
Heritage and migration
The exhibition doesn’t only contain religious heritage items and the personal stories of Ukrainian migrants. It also looks at themes such as integration and inter-cultural dialogue.
On display are objects such as suitcases and boxes containing items migrants brought or sent home by Ukrainians that migrated to Ghent. The stories of several generations of Ukrainians in Ghent are told.
A striking feature is the history of the post-war migration wave, when thousands of Ukrainians went to work in the Limburg and Walloon mines after spending time in camps for displaced persons.
A vibrant community
Currently Ghent has an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people that are of Ukrainian diaspora. These include recent refugees. Their connection with the wider community in Ghent varies. "Some have close contacts, while others live more within their own community," says Taisiia Nakonechna, who herself is a member of Ghent’s Ukrainian Community. Taisiia arrived in Ghent six years ago and has since learned Dutch. She often acts as an intermediary for other members of the Ukrainian community.
The City of Ghent is actively committed to integration and organises initiatives to this end. "The closure of the emergency shelter village in Oostakker later this year has been announced, but the residents are well informed and guided towards new accommodation”, Taisiia Nakonechna told VRT News.
The exhibition is open every day between 2pm and 5pm and from 9:30am to 12:30pm on Saturdays.
The exhibition is free of charge.
The St Salvator's Church is on the Sleepstraat. Trams 2 and 4 stop nearby (nearest stops Sluizeken and Heilig-Kerst). Numerous bus routes also stop at Heilig-Kerst.