What was Ukraine like at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries? What helped it remain part of the European cultural and political sphere despite pressure from empires? And why does the name Ivan Mazepa resonate today as a response to the challenges of the current Russian-Ukrainian war?
The exhibition “Mazepa: The Strategy of a European Ukraine” opens a window to an era when the foundations of Ukrainian statehood, European orientation, and cultural identity were being formed. This is more than just a journey into the past. It is a conversation about the choices Ukrainians are making today.
All the artifacts gathered here confirm that Ukraine has always been part of Europe—in terms of traditions, mindset, and educational and political models. The hetman’s struggle for the autonomy of the Cossack state became a historical precedent that every Ukrainian should know about.
During the tour, you will be able to:
- see Mazepa’s very own saber, as well as unique historical documents, hetman regalia, early printed books, jewels, and examples of Cossack officers’ attire;
- learn more about the political, spiritual, and cultural landmarks of Mazepa’s era;
- discover the European dimension of 18th-century Ukrainian statehood;
- explore seven exhibition halls, each revealing a distinct aspect of life in Hetmanate Ukraine—from daily life to diplomacy.
This exhibition project was organized in collaboration with:The Treasury of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine , the National Historical Preserves as “Ancient Chernihiv,” “Khortytsia,” and “Hetman’s Capital” , the V. I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine, the Central State Historical Archive of Ukraine, and other partners.