In the special period of cherry blossom for all Japanese, the Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv presented an exhibition project dedicated to Japan — its unique nature, culture and amazing people. At the exhibition you can see traditional Japanese graphics of the Nang school and modern photos of the famous Ukrainian photographer Vera Blanche, who has now received shelter in Japan.

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Japan is a country that fascinates and inspires with respect for traditions despite the aggressive globalization of the world. There are many enduring associations — flowering gardens, poetry, samurai, geisha, kimono. Or technology, cuisine, fashion or anime. How does such an amazing mix of traditional and modern coexist?

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“With this exhibition, we want to express our gratitude to Japan for the tremendous help of our people in the fight against the aggressor, for supporting Ukraine in the international political arena. In December last year, during a business trip to Japan, we were lucky enough to get acquainted with colleagues from the KYOCERA Museum of Art in Kyoto. These specialists helped to thoroughly prepare this exhibition project, revealing the nuances of the museum collection of Japanese painting, which was donated to Kyiv by its sister city Kyoto is kept in our museum,” says Diana Popova, Director General of the Museum of History of Kyiv.

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“It is a great honor for us that the Museum of the History of Kyiv will host an exhibition where graphic works donated to Kyiv by the city of Kyoto will be presented. Art comforts the feelings of people beyond time and borders, and with this exhibition we hope that our silent prayer for peace will reach the hearts of the people of Kyiv,” — Matsui Kōji, mayor of Kyoto, Kyiv's sister city.

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The exposition has two main thematic lines: about 20 works of Japanese landscape graphics from the collection of the Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv, which in 1978 was presented to the capital by the city of Kyoto together with the Association of Artists of the Nanga School, as well as more than 100 photographs of Ukrainian artist Vera Blanche.

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“Sometimes it seems to me that the sun does not in vain begin its journey from this country, in order to carry in chaste purity the warmth of its rays to other peoples from the best place where a new day can be born - from Japan,” says the famous photographer and illustrator Vera Blanche. She not only found shelter in Japan, but also began to actively study Japanese culture. Each of her photographic works is a fascination with this country, the strength, wisdom and endurance of its people.

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Japan has given the world the art of admiration — the tradition of slowly contemplating the blossoming of sakura or chrysanthemums, changing the color of leaves in autumn, or snow in winter, etc. Despite all natural disasters and modern challenges, the Japanese try to enjoy life, because every moment of it is important and valuable. Exhibition “Japan. With Eyes and Heart” will give visitors the opportunity to see the magic of the beauty of nature — as depicted by the Japanese themselves, to feel the modern heartbeat of the country — as captured by the Ukrainian woman. We are different, but in many ways similar.

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Curator of the exhibition: Serhiy Shevlyuga

Art design of the exhibition: Kateryna Kostenko

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You can get acquainted with the exhibition from April 24 according to the schedule of the IMF:

Wed-Sun: 12:00-19:00, Mon-Tue.: weekend

The ticket office is open from 12:00 to 18:30

Cost: 200/100 UAH (full/preferential)

Address: Museum and Exhibition Center of the Museum of the History of the City of Kyiv,

Str. Bohdana Khmelnytskoho, 7

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