Public Affairs Section > Cultural Events > "America: Culture and Civilization" Photo Exhibit

"America: Culture and Civilization"
PHOTOGRAPHS BY IVAN DUDKIN


Kyiv
March 15, 2005
Ukrainsky Dim, Kyiv

U.S. Ambassador John Herbst presided at the opening of the "America: Culture and Civilization" photo exhibit on March 15 in Kyiv's Ukrainsky Dim. The exhibit was organized by gifted Ukrainian photographer Ivan Dudkin and was co-sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. Ivan Dudkin is a cultural ambassador between U.S. and Ukraine. Last year, he took his previous exhibit "America: Still Life" on a journey throughout Ukraine to relate his American experiences to local audiences. His humor and perceptive observations of American life were popular where ever he went. "I am very impressed at the way in which Ivan Dudkin is able to transcend barriers of culture and language to get so close to his subjects, to depict Americans not as stereotypes, but as genuine individuals," said Ambassador Herbst.

Ivan Dudkin's exhibits draw a broad public interest. His previous exhibit America: Still Life" has been taken to 15 oblast Window on America centers and was mentioned in over 70 publications and TV programs. He accompanied the exhibit openings with slide show performances, where he shared his impressions of the U.S.

Ivan Dudkin's last slide show presentation called "Alaska - the Northern Pearl of the U.S." took place in Kyiv's House of Scientists and was attended by over 100 of scientists, journalists and students. Ukrainian magazine International Tourism (Mizhnarodny Turyzm) with 20 000 circulation has dedicated 13 pages of it's January issue to Ivan Dudkin's article with photos about Alaska.

"I am happy to see the world of America and I feel even more happy to be able to make photos and to show them to you", - said Ivan Dudkin at the exhibit opening.

"This photo exhibit is small, but extremely interesting Window to America, which makes it possible to many Ukranians who have never been to this land to see its variety and beauty", - mentioned Igor Zaseda, Secretary of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine at the opening ceremony. The opening has been attended by journalists from Inter TV, TRK Kyiv and Municipal TV, TV studio Krylia, newspapers Vechirni Kyiv, Kyevskie Vedomosti, magazines International Tourism, Vokrug Sveta, National Geographic and others.

U.S. Embassy helped to sponsor Ivan Dudkin's new exhibit "America: Culture and Civilization" to be taken to a new journey throughout Ukraine to help to bring U.S. and Ukraine closer together.

Public Affairs Section (PAS)
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