Remembering the Past: A Path to Understanding Today’s Challenges

The Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve has partnered on the project “Bykivnia, Babyn Yar, Bucha: Between Massacre and Memory”.

On November 25, 2024, the Pilecki Institute in Berlin hosted an international conference dedicated to this theme. Organized by NGO Svitarta and supported by the EVZ Foundation, the event brought together scholars, civic leaders, and cultural figures to discuss the enduring trauma of past atrocities and its relevance to current challenges.

The project explores three tragic episodes of mass killings perpetrated by three totalitarian regimes: the communist, Nazi, and current Russian aggressions. The project’s authors emphasize a critical lesson: “Unpunished local evil fosters global evil”. By examining how the memory of these crimes is preserved across different countries, the initiative highlights the unique challenges Ukraine faces amid ongoing war.

“This project is a vital part of the dialogue on how remembrance of the past can serve as a key to understanding and overcoming today’s challenges”,-  said Roza Tapanova, Director of the Babyn Yar National Historical and Memorial Reserve. “Babyn Yar’s history uniquely reflects the crimes of three totalitarian regimes: the Nazi, Soviet, and now, current Russian aggression. It is a place that holds the memory of Nazi atrocities during World War II, Soviet erasure of history, and today’s war. Confronting the past and learning from it is essential to addressing the issues of our time. We must tell the truth as it was, remember everything and everyone, including what some may prefer to forget. Babyn Yar’s mission today is to be a living center of memory that helps combat the evils of the modern world”.

As part of the initiative, a dedicated website was launched, providing an in-depth narrative of three tragedies: the mass graves at Bykivnia, Babyn Yar, and Bucha. The website is based on archival materials and eyewitness testimonies, illustrating the devastating impact of occupation by these regimes.

Explore the project website: https://bbb.in.ua/

The memory of crimes committed by totalitarian regimes must become an integral part of our society to prevent such tragedies from recurring. Reflecting on the past is essential to shaping a more just and peaceful future.

The project is implemented by NGO Svitarta with the support of the EVZ Foundation.