The Blyzkist Group (Taras Gembik, Mariia Beburia and Olga Mzhelskaya) since 2020 is responsible for the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw’s public programme turning to the Ukrainian-and Russian-speaking audience living in Poland–an audience who are far from their own home. Blyzkist (from the Ukrainian for “closeness”) refers to community, being together, physically and emotionally. What is this community? Who belongs to it? Are we all part of it, regardless of class divisions, language barriers, or sexual orientation? What does closeness and solidarity mean in the time of crisis and what is the role of a museum now? The “Sunflower” Solidary Community Center was set up as an emergency support initiative during the first days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Currently it functions as an open, supportive, multilingual and multicultural space.

This Agorà will be in English language.