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The Human Chain in Ukraine,1990
Event
Community Activation for Ukraine
5 Oct 2024
Regular hours
- Saturday
- 12:00 – 18:00
Free admission
Address
- 222 East 6th St
- New York
New York - 10003
- United States
Artist Molly Gochman will take over the block of East 6th Street in front of The Ukrainian Museum with a day of activities and engagement focused on building community and forging connections through art, music, and activism.
About
On October 5, 2024, East 6th Street will transform from a busy thoroughfare to a vibrant space for creativity and community. This gathering is a part of a larger series of works by artist and activist Molly Gochman, UKR|RUS and Dispersed Geographies, which explore the complexities of borders and displacement through installations across New York City.
These works aim to highlight the ongoing struggle of Ukraine and its people, emphasizing the Ukrainian border as a symbol of resilience and sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression. We invite you to join us in creating a living testament to our shared humanity by sharing your skills, talents, and creative vision. Together, we will immerse ourselves in Ukrainian culture, building a community that welcomes artists, makers, supporters, and curious minds alike. We aim to create a welcoming and accessible space to all. Join us in building a physical record of our time through knot-tying and the Chain of Unity*.
Through a series of activations, including these two initiatives, we will foster connection, creativity, and reflection.
Chain of Unity: Inspired by the historic Ukrainian human chain of 1990, we invite you to join us in creating a powerful symbol of solidarity by linking arms. Music and activities will precede and follow this moment. (3pm)
Creating Connections: Engage in collaborative activities, such as knot-tying, to foster connections within our community.
*On January 21, 1990, Ukrainians yearning for greater autonomy from the Soviet Union formed a historic human chain, known as the Chain of Unity or the Ukrainian Wave. Spanning 600 kilometers, the chain linked major cities like Kyiv, Lviv, and Donetsk. This powerful display of unity occurred as the USSR’s collapse loomed, with Ukrainian patriots aiming to connect eastern and western regions. While official figures estimated 450,000 participants, unofficial estimates suggest that between 1 and 5 million of Ukrainians linked arms that day/ This event, the largest demonstration in late Soviet Ukraine, occurred amidst a period of political change and suppression of Ukrainian identity. Since then, human chains have become a recurring element in Ukraine’s Day of Unity celebrations.
