An innovative museum "From Rus to Ukraine. Kamianets through the Ages" has been opened in Kamianets-Podilskyi

03.08.2026

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Kamianets-Podilskyi, July 25, 2026 — A next-generation museum, "From Rus to Ukraine. Kamianets through the Ages," has opened in the Old Town of Kamianets-Podilskyi. It is a modern immersive space whose main highlight is 35 hyper-realistic figures of historical figures made of "cyberskin." Together with multimedia technologies, these figures tell the story of the formation of Ukrainian statehood and the special role of Kamianets-Podilskyi across various historical eras.

The grand opening of the museum was attended by representatives of state power, local self-government, business, the cultural community, and the team that worked on the project. The symbol of the ceremony was not the traditional ribbon-cutting, but the destruction of the "wall of ignorance"—an installation that attendees dismantled with their own hands as a sign that the museum is designed to fill gaps in the knowledge of their own history. A performance by a folklore collective and the first guided tours marked the beginning of the new cultural space, which combines history, technology, and modern museum approaches.

Among the honored guests of the event were the project founder and author of the Museum of the Formation of the Ukrainian Nation Valeriy Galan, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the "Formation of the Ukrainian Nation" museum association Vitaliy Koval, Head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional State Administration Serhiy Tiurin, Member of the Parliament of Ukraine Ihor Marchuk, Deputy Mayor of Vinnytsia Vladyslav Skalskyi, head of the Concorde Capital investment company Ihor Mazepa, and Director of the Department of Information Activity, Culture, Nationalities, and Religions of the Khmelnytskyi RMA Olha Fedorovych.

In their speeches, participants repeatedly emphasized that today it is especially important to speak about history in a language understandable to the younger generation. That is why the new museum was created as a space where the past can not only be seen, but literally lived through, felt, and interacted with.

Unlike traditional museum expositions, the project invites visitors to journey through eight key stages of the formation of Ukrainian statehood—from Kyivan Rus to modern Ukraine, including the period of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. Concurrently, the museum reveals the centuries-old history of Kamianets-Podilskyi itself as one of the most important centers of Ukrainian history.

The exhibition occupies over 600 square meters and consists of 17 thematic halls. It features 24 story compositions, nine large-scale 3D dioramas, 35 hyper-realistic historical figures created from modern "cyberskin," interactive panels, panoramic screens, VR technologies, and audio guides in eight languages.

The team paid special attention to the educational component. Part of the exhibition is integrated with the National Multi-Subject Test program, making the museum not only a cultural location, but also a modern tool for educating schoolchildren and students.

Thirty-seven historians and scientists from Ukraine and other countries, as well as artists, sculptors, designers, blacksmiths, architects, programmers, and engineers, worked on creating the museum for almost a year. The project was implemented by the "Museum of the Formation of the Ukrainian Nation" Charitable Foundation, which has already created several modern museum spaces dedicated to Ukrainian history.

Project author and founder Valeriy Galan explained why he decided to implement such a large-scale project right now, despite the war: "Unfortunately, the world knows little positive and victorious about Ukraine and Ukrainians. Unfortunately, even Ukrainians themselves know little about their own history—and this is our greatest misfortune. If we knew who we are, we would treat ourselves differently—and force our neighbors and enemies to treat us differently too. We wouldn't walk with lowered shoulders; we would straighten them."

Vitaliy Koval, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the "Formation of the Ukrainian Nation" museum association, stressed that the opening of the museum is an important event not only for Kamianets-Podilskyi, but for all of Ukraine.

"For me, this is important primarily as a Ukrainian and a father. We have created a space where history can not only be seen or heard—you can touch it, feel the atmosphere of the era, and witness historical events. I want every visitor to leave the museum with three feelings: pride in being Ukrainian, gratitude to the generations that came before us, and responsibility for the country's future. Ukraine did not begin with us, but what it will be like after us depends precisely on us."

The organizers are convinced that the main mission of the new museum is not only to preserve historical memory, but also to help Ukrainians deeply realize their own identity, form a connection between generations, and present history as a living experience that directly impacts the present.

The "From Rus to Ukraine. Kamianets through the Ages" Museum is located in a reconstructed historic building at 19/5 Polish Market Square, next to the Dominican Church and the City Town Hall. The space is open to visitors daily: on weekdays from 09:00 to 20:00, and on weekends until 21:00.

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