Exhibition at the Khanenko Museum: A Showcase of Africa’s Rich Cultural Heritage and Private Collections
In Kyiv, at the National Museum of Arts named after Khanenko, a grand opening of a new exhibition titled ‘Africa: Direct’ took place, marking the first large-scale museum project in Ukraine dedicated to exploring the diverse history and cultural legacy of the African continent since Ukraine’s independence.
The event was attended by prominent historians, experts, and photojournalists, including Vasyl Artyushenko from ZN.UA.
The exposition features over 40 unique artifacts sourced from 18 African countries, making it one of the most diverse collections displayed in Ukraine.
A significant part of the exhibits comes from private collections assembled over more than two decades by Ukrainian researchers and collectors, notably Tetyana Deshko and Andriy Klepikov, who worked across different African regions.
These collectors aim for most artifacts to eventually become national heritage items of Ukraine.
Among the notable displays are valuable authentic African weapons lent by the National Museum of Ukrainian History.
The exhibition is designed to foster a deeper understanding of Africa’s cultural phenomena, focusing on themes such as history, religion, colonial stereotypes, and the decolonization of knowledge and museum language.
Running until mid-January 2026, the exhibition aspires to serve as a platform for meaningful discussion about Africa’s multifaceted civilization in the context of modern Ukraine.