When Ukraine became independent in 1991 it sealed the final collapse of the Soviet Union. Tim Smith’s images, taken both sides of this pivotal moment, illustrate a fund-raising talk exploring how Ukraine’s history frames the current conflict.
At independence the uncovering of a previously forbidden history helped to forge a new nation. This past also shapes the present. Vivid memories of life under Soviet rule continue to fuel the current resistance of a population who dread the return of Russian occupation, and there is growing evidence that the widespread loss of life and the destruction of the physical landscape is accompanied by Putin’s ambition to obliterate Ukrainian culture and identity too.
All funds raised will go to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
