NEW SPECIAL EXHIBITION: ‘Ukraine’ at the Cheshire Military Museum

Cheshire Military Museum, at Castle Square in Chester, has a new temporary exhibition looking at the war in Ukraine.

The National Army Museum has provided the geo-political information boards which have been supplemented by contributions from and significant to the local Ukrainian community in Cheshire.

Caroline Chamberlain, Curator at Chester Military Museum said:

“We hope that visitors to the museum will gain a greater understanding of the war going on in Ukraine and its impact on individuals affected. We are so pleased to be working together with the National Army Museum and the Ukrainian community on this, the results of which have surpassed our expectations.”

The new exhibition was launched last week at a reception hosted by Col the Right Honourable Bob Stewart DSO, Chairman of the Friends of the Military Museum and former commander of the Cheshire Regiment in Bosnia. The evening was supported by Chester’s Ukraine Community Group, the Mercian Regiment and its Mascot, the Cheshire Army Cadet Force Chester Castle Detachment and Cheshire College’s catering brigade.

Col the Right Honourable Bob Stewart DSO, Chairman of the Friends of the Military Museum thanked everyone involved.

Sam Dixon MP of Chester North and Neston said:

“Today we gather to not only witness an exhibition but to acknowledge the strength, resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people. The Ukrainian conflict has touched the lives of so many and it is with deep compassion we extend our support to those affected. Cheshire has been proud to open its doors to Ukrainians seeking refuge. It is heartening to see the efforts of so many in our communities to welcome those who have come to us, not only with open doors but with open hearts. My thanks to everyone involved in organising the exhibition as well as those who have shown incredible generosity and support over the past few years.”

Anna Polonska (aged 16) left Ukraine aged 12 in February 2022 within 48 hours of the first attack. She responded by quoting:

“History is not what happened, it is what we remember” and encouraged us to remember.

Anna thanked British and Ukrainian soldiers and said:

“What museums remind us is what freedom costs and why peace must be protected by every single generation. I don’t want any child to be woken up at 4 in the morning to leave their home forever, or to experience the horrors of war again. Memory alone is not enough. Without action it does not work and if we do not remember it will happen again. Today we are opening more than an exhibition, we are opening a page of shared memory. May everyone who enters the exhibition know the pain of war but also the power of humanity because history is not what happened, it is what we remember and it is what we keep alive.” 

The menu from Cheshire College was designed to highlight Ukrainian traditional food and guests were treated to Pampushky (garlic dough balls), Deruny (potato pancakes with soured cream), Kholodets (pressed ham hock with horseradish), Chicken Kyiv, Pierogies (potato & cheese dumplings) and Ukraine honey cake.

Ukraine runs until throughout the Winter until the New Year and the Museum is open Thursday to Sundays, 11am to 4pm. last entry is at 3.30pm.

See the website for more details: 

www.cheshiremilitarymuseum.org.uk 

About Cheshire Military Museum:

The Cheshire Military Museum in Chester tells the story of Cheshire military personnel from the 17th Century to the present day. The museum also houses the Archive of the Cheshire Regiment. Schools and college visits are welcome, with a full programme of visits tailored to make it an exciting and thought-provoking experience using hands-on displays and artifacts.