Ukraine and the Russian invasion are on everyone's mind now. Kyiv is one of Europe's great cities, the first capital of old Russia many centuries ago, filled with World Heritage monuments from the 11th century on. They are critically endangered right now, as this shared but vexed heritage is contested by modern Russia and modern Ukraine. In this illustrated lecture, Dr. Larry Butler will review the cultural history of Ukraine and Russia that fuels today's rhetoric of war and patriotism, and give a loving view of the monuments that are at stake.

 

Although this is not the usual sort of EHCC topic, our lecture coordinator Dr. Larry Butler is a medievalist by training with expertise in eastern Europe and first-hand experience of crisis in the region. This one comes from the heart.