This story was told to me by one of Oleksandr Murashko’s descendants in the 1970s. In the family archive, he unexpectedly discovered two large folders with the inscription – children’s plein airs, June 1918. Another Muscovite war was going on in Ukraine – at that time in a brutal Bolshevik guise. The situation was constantly changing. In 1918, Kyiv was occupied by the German army, and the government was headed by Hetman Skoropadskyi. For a short period, a fragile calm settled down in Kyiv, and people instantly went about their normal, peaceful business. The famous Ukrainian artist asked the children to depict in paintings and drawings how they see the future of their country. According to my friend, he was struck by the unusual brightness of these works and the special saturation of the Ukrainian spirit.
A hundred years have passed, the wheel of history has made its century-long circle, and Ukraine is again at war with its eternal enemy. This time, our people and the army have defended their capital and, despite constant rocket attacks, Kyiv lives a full life. War exacerbated human feelings such as fear, despair and their eternal companion depression. But the people of Kyiv show amazing will, love of life and resilience in these cruel times. In the city, not only Points of Invincibility were created, where residents can warm up and charge their phones, but also, which is no less important, entire Oases of cultural and spiritual life in the conditions of war. People actively attend exhibitions, concerts and performances, which give strength and faith in our final Victory.
One of these cultural oases was created by the well-known Kyiv philanthropist Sergiy Tsyupko. He opened the Residence of his Private Museum of Modern Art of Ukraine in the historical part of the city on the former territory of the Pechersk Fortress. From the first day of its opening, the Residence turned into a cute cozy corner with a unique Kyiv charm, typical for the intellectual and bohemian salons that were kept by the Tereshchenko and Khanenko families at the beginning of the 20th century. As you know, mansions and collections of paintings that belonged to these famous families formed the basis of Kyiv art museums. Beautiful paintings and sculptures from Sergiy Tsyupko’s collection, a constantly updated exhibition, live communication of famous Ukrainian artists, exquisite buffets at exhibition openings – all this creates a refined and unique atmosphere that touches the finest strings of the human soul and brings harmony and joy. And these joyful and necessary feelings were transferred far beyond the Residence of the private museum.
Continuing the traditions of the famous artist Oleksandr Murashko, Sergiy Tsyupko held an All-Ukrainian drawing contest among children on the topic of their vision of our country’s future after the war. The winners of the competition were awarded valuable prizes – top gadgets, especially popular among children. And the Kyiv Jewelry Factory awarded the participants with jewelry products, known for their quality, with national symbols. The idea of the competition instantly gave an impulse to a wonderful energy of creativity and inspiration. More than a thousand drawings embodied a unique map of their childish and bright country, in which these children will live after this war. In fact, it was a journey in a time machine from the Murashko’s plein-air era and the surprisingly bright pictures of the future by Ukrainian children of that time to the drawings of our young contemporaries, who, just like their great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers, see a beautiful and prosperous Ukraine in their future life.
The person who created this project has already combined our great past with the present and the future many times. If the Museum Residence and the children’s project will continue the traditions of the famous patrons – Tereshchenko and Khanenko families, as well as Murashko’s plein airs, then Ukrainian art will carry the light of culture for hundreds of years and give spiritual energy to our people. Patron Sergiy Tsyupko is full of energy and strength, and his new projects will serve the people of Ukraine many more times.
Russian language version of the article: https://tsn.ua/ru/ukrayina/mashina-vremeni-sergeya-cyupko-2604675.html
Ukrainian language version of the article: https://tsn.ua/ukrayina/mashina-chasu-sergiya-cyupka-2604675.html
