A Ukrainian-language audio tour officially opened in Philadelphia with the special exhibition The Declaration’s Journey at the Museum of the American Revolution. The exhibition, dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, presents Ukraine’s 1991 Act of Declaration of Independence alongside artifacts of American independence and explores the influence of the American Declaration on liberation movements in more than 100 countries. The new audio guide became the 131st in the international project and the fifth Ukrainian-language audio guide at this museum.
This was reported by the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States and First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska..
The Ukrainian-language audio tour was officially opened by Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine in the United States Denys Sienik and Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Philadelphia and President of the Ukrainian Federation of America Iryna Mazur. The project was implemented in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Philadelphia, and the educational program of the Ukrainian Federation of America, with financial support from the Summerfield Baldwin Jr. Foundation.
The centerpiece of the Ukrainian section of The Declaration’s Journey exhibition is Ukraine’s Act of Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on August 24, 1991.
The exhibition was created to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and traces how the ideas it proclaimed influenced liberation movements and state-building in different parts of the world. According to the First Lady, the exhibition includes examples from more than 100 countries, including Ukraine.
“The core principle of the Declaration — the equality of people and their inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — is embodied today by Ukraine’s defenders. Because this is exactly what we are defending: the right to be ourselves and to be free on our own land,” Olena Zelenska emphasized.
The First Lady also drew attention to a historical parallel: in the same year, 1991, when Ukraine declared its independence, the United States recognized it as an independent state.
“And today, I know and believe, the people of the United States continue to support Ukrainians in their determination to defend their independence,” Zelenska said.
During the opening, Denys Sienik emphasized that the presence of the Ukrainian language in one of America’s leading history museums carries significance that goes far beyond convenience for Ukrainian-speaking visitors.
“The Ukrainian language is an inseparable part of our national identity and a powerful expression of our resilience, dignity, and freedom. For centuries, Russia tried to suppress our language and erase our cultural identity. Preserving our language and spreading knowledge about our history are critically important for protecting Ukraine’s identity,” the diplomat said.
The Ukrainian-language audio tour is especially meaningful for the large Ukrainian community in the United States, particularly in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.
“For Ukrainians who live far from their homeland, the opportunity to hear their native language in a place like this museum is an important connection to their roots. The Ukrainian language also allows us to engage on equal terms through culture, art, and history,” Sienik said.
The new audio guide became part of the First Lady of Ukraine’s international project to introduce the Ukrainian language at leading museums, historic landmarks, and cultural institutions around the world. The Philadelphia audio guide became the 131st in the project, whose geography has now expanded to 59 countries.
“The goal of the project is that wherever Ukrainians may find themselves, they can hear important things in their native language, and that Ukrainian may sound freely alongside other languages of the world,” the First Lady emphasized.
Organizers also stress the project’s two-way significance. Ukrainian-speaking visitors now have the opportunity to learn in their native language about the history of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and its influence on other peoples.
“Now Ukrainians will be able to learn in their native language about the history of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and its influence on liberation movements around the world. And American visitors will be able to learn more about Ukraine and our struggle for freedom,” organizers said on the occasion of the opening.
Photo: Embassy of Ukraine in the USA /Facebook
Author: Inna Mikhno