Zurich Lab, a Swiss based institute that wants “psychoanalysis to meet the streets”, has published an essay of mine about my Ukraine trip in February. I am aware that some of the theses in the essay are controversial for some readers. However, I believe there are necessary discussions about history, remembrance and identity. Without it there is no self-confident future – just conspiracy theories.
Tag Archives: Euromaidan
At the End of the Journey
My last day in Ukraine. Again, this day fluctuates between past and present. I visit the last remaining functioning synagogue in Lviv (Lemberg, Lwow) and experience the grief of the people for those slained on Maidan.
Tsori Gilod (Healing Balm) Synagogue
Tsori Gilod (Healing Balm) Synagogue
Tsori Gilod (Healing Balm) Synagogue
Tsori Gilod (Healing Balm) Synagogue
Tsori Gilod (Healing Balm) Synagogue
Tsori Gilod (Healing Balm) Synagogue
Tsori Gilod (Healing Balm) Synagogue
Tsori Gilod (Healing Balm) Synagogue
Lviv mourning the dead
Lviv mourning the dead
Lviv mourning the dead
Lviv mourning the dead
Return to Lviv
My trip is coming to an end. This morning I strolled with a group of architecture students through Chernivtsi (Czernowitz), now I ‘m after a few hours on the train already back in Lviv (Lemberg, Lwow). Ukrainians continue to mourn those killed on Maidan.
Mourning in Chernivtsi
Mourning in Chernivtsi
Train ride through Galicia
Mourning in Lviv
Mourning in Lviv
Mourning in Lviv
Mourning in Lviv
Volunteers keep public order up
A last Excursion
When I asked Mykola Kushnir, the director of the Jewish Museum in Chernivtsi (Czernowitz), how I could see the wall paintings in the former synagogue of Novoselitsa, he invited me spontaneously to go there with him today. A really nice and generous offer – especially as Mykola has the key to the synagogue. Thanks, Mykola, for this wonderful excursion – the last on this journey!
Novoselitsa – synagogue
Novoselitsa – synagogue
Novoselitsa – synagogue
Novoselitsa – synagogue
Novoselitsa – synagogue
Novoselitsa – synagogue
Novoselitsa – synagogue
Novoselitsa – synagogue
Novoselitsa – synagogue
Novoselitsa – Jewish cemetery
Novoselitsa – Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz – ceremony for a man killed on Maidan
Czernowitz – ceremony for a man killed on Maidan
Czernowitz – ceremony for a man killed on Maidan
Between Past and Present
The second day in Chernivtsi (Czernowitz): I continue to swing between the past and present of the city, between the remains of the Jewish past and the ongoing protests.
A young lady plays piano, young men are listening
In the morning at Central Square – people commemorate the victims of the last days
In the morning at Central Square – people commemorate the victims of the last days
In the morning at Central Square – people commemorate the victims of the last days
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
Czernowitz Jewish cemetery
“Open microphone” at Central Square
New Holocaust project of the Jewish Museum
Back in Czernowitz
Almost five hours my little marshrutka needed to make the way from Ternopil to Chernivtsi (Czernowitz). The reason is not the distance (175 km) but the conditions of Ukrainian roads. It’s nice to be back in Czernowitz, it’s almost like coming home. Here too, the protest movement is active.
My marshrutka
To Chernivtsi (Czernowitz)
Protesters in front of the town hall
Protesters in front of the town hall
Regional administration
Protesters in front of the town hall
Protesters in front of the town hall
Young militants waiting for orders
Young militants waiting for orders
At the foot of the Carpathian Mountains
Another long day trip through Galicia. My friend Jürgen and I are up early to make our way to the train station and take the next marshrutka to Staryi Sambir – a place 90 km southwest of Lviv (Lemberg, Lwow).
Staryi Sambir – Jewish cemetery
Staryi Sambir – Jewish cemetery
Staryi Sambir – Jewish cemetery
Staryi Sambir – Jewish cemetery
Staryi Sambir – Jewish cemetery
Staryi Sambir – Jewish cemetery
Staryi Sambir – Jewish cemetery
Staryi Sambir – Jewish cemetery
Staryi Sambir – Jewish cemetery
Staryi Sambir – Jewish cemetery
Staryi Sambir synagogue
Lviv (Lemberg, Lwow), Euromaidan
Lviv (Lemberg, Lwow), Euromaidan
North of Lviv
A long day trip through Galicia – north of Lviv (Lemberg, Lwow) – to the towns of Sokal, Velyki Mosty and Zhovkva. Bright sunshine, the winter is coming to an end. We pass a down going industrial landscape, traces of the past and the dawn of a new, still undetermined Ukraine.
Sokal synagogue
Sokal – guards in front of an occupied public building
Sokal – older ladies in front of an occupied public building
Sokal – remains of Jewish headstones
Velyki Mosty – synagogue
Velyki Mosty – synagogue
Zhovkva – traces of a mezuzah at the market square
Zhovkva – remains of the Jewish cemetery
Zhovkva – remains of the Jewish cemetery
Zhovkva – remains of the Jewish cemetery
Zhovkva synagogue
Back in a different Ukraine
I’m back in Lviv (Lemberg, Lwow), and in front of me is another 10-day journey through Western Ukraine. Even though almost everything is superficialy unchanged since last year, I return in a completely different Ukraine.
Images and candles at the entrance of the Armenian church commemorate a young man of Armenian origion who was recently killed by the riot police in Kyiv.
Barricades at the occupied regional administration
Barricades at the occupied regional administration
Barricades at the occupied regional administration
Vanished World 