Ostroh Academy Launched Maksym Burda's Permanent Exhibition 'Heavenly Photographer'

November 19, 2024

November 19 marks 1000 days since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. On this day, the Scientific Library of the National University of Ostroh Academy hosted the opening of a permanent photo exhibition, "Heavenly Photographer", authored by Maksym Burda, an alumnus of the Journalism Speciality of the NaUOA, a famous Volyn photographer and serviceman who was killed near Bakhmut on January 26, 2023. 

Anastasiia Kheleniuk, the director of the Museum of the NaUOA History, delivered an opening speech:

"We gathered to reflect on 1,000 days since the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion and to do a significant thing - to open a permanent exhibition, "Heavenly Photographer" by Maksym Burda. He defended us and took many amazing, interesting photos while he was in the Armed Forces. These 1,000 days have proven that Ukraine is fighting for its values, for the world to be stable and peaceful again, and for people to live the way they dreamed."

Vice-Rector for Education, Doctor of Science (Psychology), Full professor Ruslana Kalamazh emphasised the importance of opening the permanent exhibition of Maksym Burda and remarked:

"We were given 3 days, but we continue to stand, fight, teach, live, volunteer. Some people, like Maksym, chose the military front, while our mission is to develop the educational, scientific, cultural, and spiritual spheres. We are strengthening our sustainability and resilience because we are united by common values - freedom, dignity, independence, respect for human rights, and the opportunity to choose to live in a European and civilised space. Maksym Burda and, unfortunately, 26 other members of the academic community of Ostroh Academy have already given their lives for these values. It is our responsibility to remember these people because a person lives as long as they are remembered. And Maksym will speak to us from these photos, where the imprint of his personality and special optimistic worldview remains."

Maksym Karpovets, Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Social and Humanitarian Management, PhD, Associate Professor, added:

"The 'Heavenly Photographer' Exhibition is an example of what we can do to preserve the memory, respect and honour of a man who laid down his life for our ability to live and build Ukraine. These photos show all of Maksym: his character, outlook, kindness, warmth, and humanity. Everyone who knew him can testify to this: family, friends, classmates, lecturers. This light should inspire us to look for resources and strength within ourselves, not to lose heart and give up. The exhibition's goal is to remember Maksym as our alumnus, defender, and hero and the values and moral standards he cherished in his life."

All his life, Maksym has been fond of photography and was actively involved in photographing university events during his student years. He dreamed of having his photo illustrations seen all over the world. Two months after Maksym's death, his girlfriend Mariia Lukashuk and his mother Iryna Maksymuk began to realise this dream. Therefore, the exhibition is symbolically titled "A Dream Came True."

"On May 1, 2023, the new building of the Ostroh Academy hosted the opening of a travelling exhibition with more than 150 works. To date, we have held 11 exhibitions in different cities of Ukraine. Most of all, Maksym wanted his works to live on. And I understand how important it was for him to preserve his work and for as many people as possible to see it. I am delighted that so many people attended the exhibition opening at Ostroh Academy today. I want to thank everyone who contributed to the organisation of this event. I am thrilled that we could organise photo exhibitions in Ukraine and do many things to honour Maksym's memory.",

25 of the 150 photos taken by Maksym during the war period of 2022-2023, which were presented to the public as part of an exhibition tour of Ukrainian cities, are now on permanent display at the Scientific Library of Ostroh Academy.

After the exhibition's opening, everyone visited the underground art gallery of the NaUOA and viewed the stationary exhibition "University and War: Chronology of the New Reality" and got acquainted with the interactive "Memory Book of the Fallen of the NaUOA Community."