Mosaic of Memory: Testimony, Struggle, and Volunteering

Detailed description of the project:

The project “Mosaic of Memory: Testimony, Struggle, and Volunteering” was developed to create a modern, accessible, and interactive exhibition at the Zdolbuniv Local History Museum. Its main goal is to deeply understand and honor the memory of the heroes of the Russian-Ukrainian war, as well as to support the volunteer movement and internally displaced persons in the region.

Main components of the project:

1. Interactive exhibition about the war

The renovated museum exhibition, covering an area of 50 m², will present unique exhibits collected since 2014, including the personal stories of more than 200 fallen soldiers from the Zdolbuniv, Zdovbytsia, and Mizotska communities. At the center of the exhibition will be an interactive table with a digital archive of the biographies of the fallen, presented in the form of caricature portraits with descriptions of their life stories, achievements, and memories of their loved ones. This approach avoids excessive trauma and focuses on the lives and achievements of the heroes.

2. Comic strip about volunteers

The project involves creating a creative comic book that will vividly and emotionally present the stories of volunteers from the Zdolbuniv, Zdovbytsia, and Mizots communities who have been actively supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the war. The comic book will serve as a means of promoting volunteerism among young people and the general public. Its plot will conclude with a story about a large-scale fundraiser called “The Great Fundraiser. United by a Common Goal. Mission FPV,” in which the community's joint efforts raised over 1,000,000 hryvnias to support the army.

3. Educational and informational block

The project involves 10 screenings of documentary films with the participation of experts (military personnel, volunteers, historians) at the Ne Morgay documentary film club. This will provide a deeper understanding of the history of war among young people (students in grades 8-11) and promote the development of critical thinking about information threats.

4. Archive of video testimonies of IDPs

The exhibition will feature unique video testimonies from 18 internally displaced persons who moved to Zdolbuniv after the full-scale invasion began. These stories will demonstrate the real scale of the war and its impact on the lives of people in different regions of Ukraine.

5. Interactive unit for countering propaganda

A separate part of the exhibition is devoted to the development of information literacy, where visitors will learn to recognize fakes, manipulation, and propaganda through interactive tasks. This section will contribute to the formation of critical perception of information in the community.

Innovativeness and uniqueness of the project:

• Local focus: Personalized memorialization through the personal stories of local heroes.
• Interactivity and accessibility: A non-traumatic, modern museum space with multimedia and digital components.
• Emphasis on volunteering: For the first time, the community's volunteer experience will be presented through comics.
• Educational mission: Engaging young people in actively reflecting on history and critically evaluating information.

Long-term results:

The project will become not only a new museum space, but also an educational and cultural center for the community, promoting the development of local tourism and creating conditions for regular educational programs, cultural events, and research. The interactive archive will allow information about heroes to be updated and will become a valuable educational resource for future generations.

Target audiences:

• Relatives of fallen soldiers (at least 200 people)
• Young people (at least 150 students in grades 8-11)
• Volunteers and activists (at least 20 people)
• The general community audience and museum visitors (at least 120 people during the launch)

For more information or cooperation:

Contact person: Timofey Mokhnachuk, project manager
Phone: +380685151977