On 20 March 2025, a brochure based on the materials of the exhibition project "Mazepa.Charles XII. Peter I. Top 10 myths of Russian propaganda" and a lecture “The Statesman” dedicated to the 386th anniversary of the birth of Hetman of Ukraine Ivan Mazepa (1639 - 1709).
The exhibition project "Mazepa. Charles XII. Peter I. Top 10 myths of Russian propaganda" was implemented jointly by the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory and the State Historical and Cultural Reserve “Poltava Battlefield”.
The aim of the project is to debunk well-known imperial and Soviet myths about Mazepa the traitor, his intentions to give Ukraine to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the fact that the Ukrainian Cossacks did not support him in his choice, about the heroic defence of Poltava in the spring and summer of 1709 and the Battle of Poltava as a great victory for Peter I. During 1708-1709, Moscow would launch a powerful propaganda campaign, as evidenced, in particular, by the ‘war of manifestos’ and the anathema proclaimed against Hetman Ivan Mazepa by all church canons. The researchers of the Poltava Battle History Museum refuted historical myths through an objective and unbiased reading of well-known historical sources and analysis of cultural artefacts.
Today, the partners presented the brochure to history teachers of secondary schools in Poltava. Acting Director of the UINM Yulia Hnatiuk and regional representative of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory Oleh Pustovhar also addressed the audience with a video greeting.
The lecture ‘The Statesman’, delivered by Liudmyla Shendryk, Deputy Director for Research, and Yevheniia Shcherbyna, Deputy Director for Tourist and Excursion Work, revealed little-known facts about the life and work of Hetman Ivan Mazepa.
Teachers had the opportunity to get acquainted with modern scientific literature and new discoveries on the subject.
The materials of the exhibition project are available here, as well as a video version.
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