On January 23, 2026, the Cultural Wonders of Ukraine exhibition officially opened on the 4th floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in downtown Dallas, bringing Ukrainian history, traditions, and artistic heritage to the heart of the city. Organized by the Ukrainian American Society of Texas under the leadership of Chrystya Geremesz, the exhibition runs from January 23 through March 31, offering Dallas-Fort Worth residents an opportunity to experience Ukrainian culture. Geremesz noted that the exhibition was created “to preserve Ukrainian culture as it is currently under siege in Russia’s war against Ukraine.”
The opening ceremony gathered city officials, community leaders, and representatives of Ukrainian organizations, highlighting Dallas’s growing engagement with Ukrainian cultural and humanitarian initiatives.
Among the distinguished guests were Gay Donnell Willis, Dallas City Council Member for District 13; Paul E. Ridley, Dallas City Council Member for District 14; Beth Huddleston, Mayor Eric Johnson’s Chief of Protocol and International Relations; Deionte Harvey and Macs Reynolds from Dallas’s Office of International Government Affairs; and a longtime supporter of Ukraine, Ambassador Gregory Slayton.
The Ukrainian diaspora was represented by Olena Jacobs of the Ukrainian Cultural Club of Dallas and Tamara Velsher of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, whose organizations have played a key role in building bridges between the Ukrainian community and North Texas civic institutions.
Pastor Leo Regheta opened the ceremony with a prayer for peace. In her welcoming remarks, Beth Huddleston emphasized that the people of Dallas continue to stand with Ukraine. Paul E. Ridley echoed this message, expressing solidarity with Ukraine and its people.
Ambassador Gregory Slayton, well known for his efforts to counter Russian disinformation, noted that Ukraine is fighting not only for its own independence, but also for peace, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law — values that matter to Europe, America, and the wider world.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Ambassador Slayton donated two copies of his book Portraits of Ukraine to the Dallas Public Library collection. Chrystya Geremesz also contributed a copy of Painted History of Ukraine by the Kapranov brothers, enriching the library’s resources on Ukrainian history and culture.
The exhibition is open to the public with free admission, and visitors can explore the display during regular library hours. A series of cultural events, educational programs, and Ukrainian film screenings will take place throughout the exhibition period.
The opening of Cultural Wonders of Ukraine reflects Dallas’s commitment to multicultural engagement and the resilience of Ukrainian cultural identity during a time of ongoing war. The exhibition combines artistic expression with a meaningful space for dialogue, understanding, and solidarity.
Text and photos by Vilni Media: Tatyana Bessmertnaya/OchiMedia