A special film evening dedicated to the history of the House of the Word – a symbol of the Ukrainian literary revival of the 1920s, which later turned into a place of destruction of an entire generation of artists by the Stalinist regime was held at the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco.
This information was reported by the charity organization Ukraine Matters.
“At the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco, we immersed ourselves in the tragic history of the House of the Word – once a beacon of the Ukrainian literary revival, and later – a prison for the brightest minds destroyed by Stalin’s terror. Two films by director Taras Tomenko brought this story to life on the screen. A special address from the director, a heartfelt Q&A and a charity silent auction made the evening unforgettable. It was more than just a movie. It was a tribute to resilience, support for culture and a reminder that the voice of Ukraine will never be silenced, the organization’s post says.
As reported, the evening’s program included a double screening of two works by Taras Tomenko, namely: the documentary film “House of the Word” – an investigative chronicle of the life and tragic fate of the residents of the Kharkov house and the art drama “House of the Word. An Unfinished Novel”, which artistically recreates the atmosphere and spiritual world of the writers of the “Shooted Renaissance”.
Guests also had the opportunity to join a discussion with Natalia Goshylyk, Doctor of Philosophy from the University of California at Berkeley, and take part in a charity silent auction, the proceeds of which will go to support Ukrainian screenwriters and directors.
Зокрема, на аукціоні представили ретельно підібрану колекцію унікальних речей: пам’ятні монети; ексклюзивні футболки з брендингом Slovo House; фотографії акторів;
postcards with autographs of director Taras Tomenko and the actors of the film “House “Slovo”. A non-fictional novel”.
“Each item is not only a memory from this cinematic work, but also a way to support the next generation of Ukrainian storytellers. Your contribution is more than a donation, it is an act of cultural solidarity”, the organizers emphasized.
During his welcoming speech, the Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco Dmytro Kushneruk reminded:
“This evening is more than a film screening. It is a tribute to the courage of those who refused to remain silent. It is a reminder that art is a form of resistance, and culture, even under attack, is preserved”, Kushneruk emphasized.
According to him, the event also became a platform for the presentation of a new charitable initiative “Allies of Steel”, which aims to raise funds for ground-based robotic platforms to save lives.
“It was a pleasure to welcome a full audience, including many of our American friends, who joined us in solidarity to remember, reflect, and not remain silent,” the Consulate added.
Photo: Sofia Zarytska
Author: Inna Mikhno