My name is Gary Zidek. Welcome to The Arts Section. Tune into the radio program every Sunday morning on WDCB 90.9 & 90.7 FM or listen to it online here. I'll be showcasing a variety of arts & entertainment stories.
Heartache (and More Visitors) at Ukrainian National Museum
“We ordered 70 (Ukrainian) flags, and they sold out within 2 days. These were visitors, who just came to the museum. These are non-Ukrainians, they have no Ukrainian heritage, they just want to show their support.” - Lydia Tkaczuk, president of the Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago board, talking about the support the museum has seen in recent weeks.
A Chicago museum has turned into a hub of sorts for local residents looking to support Ukrainian causes. The world’s eyes have been on Ukraine for the past month as Russia continues its violent invasion. Many Chicago-area residents looking to help Ukrainians have turned to a local institution that’s been around for 70 years, the Ukrainian National Museum.
The Ukrainian National Museum was founded in 1952 by a group of displaced scholars. The goal was to establish a museum and archives that would commemorate the lives of those forced to leave their homeland and celebrate Ukrainian culture. Today, the Chicago metro area is home to a large Ukrainian population.