On October 24, Zenyk Art Gallery opens "FIREWORKS" (*Feyerverk*)—a new exhibition project exploring the grandeur of the Ukrainian Baroque, the power of arts patronage, and culture’s resilience in rising again after even the most devastating destruction.
Kyrylo Rozumovsky, Heorhiy Narbut, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Georg Pinsel, Ivan Mazepa, Hryhoriy Skovoroda—figures whose stories unexpectedly intertwine through the medium of art.
It all began with the letter "F"
In 1917, Heorhiy Narbut began work on his *Ukrainian Alphabet*. On the page dedicated to the letter "F," he depicted fireworks illuminating the sky above Kyrylo Rozumovsky’s palace in Baturyn. More than a century later, this image became the starting point for ZAG’s new exhibition project.
Fireworks represent a sudden burst of light amidst the darkness—a symbol of grandeur, triumph, and transience. They embody the very essence of the Baroque: contrasts, grand ambitions, and the yearning to leave behind something eternal.
What is the exhibition about?
"FIREWORKS" is a journey through the history of the Ukrainian Baroque. Seven exhibition halls gradually unfold stories of power and faith, personal ambition and nation-building, destruction and rebirth—all revealed through art and unexpected historical connections. At the heart of the exhibition are Kyrylo Rozumovsky, the last Hetman of Ukraine, and Baturyn—the Hetman capital, destroyed by Russian troops in 1708 and revived through the efforts of subsequent generations.
The exhibits include icons from the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin in Kozelets, works by Johann Georg Pinsel, Tamara Hridyaieva’s "Suffering" series, rescued sculptures, and other artworks and historical artifacts that reveal the multifaceted nature of the Ukrainian Baroque. The exposition brings together pieces from the collections of the "Hetman Capital" National Historical and Cultural Reserve, the "Ancient Chernihiv" National Architectural and Historical Reserve, the Borys Voznytsky Lviv National Art Gallery, the Museum of Ethnography and Art Crafts, as well as private collections. Installations and works by contemporary artists complement the historical heritage, creating a dialogue between the past and the present. The journey concludes with a symbolic fireworks display—a reminder that even after history’s darkest chapters, culture can shine with renewed strength.
Why is this important today?
The Ukrainian Baroque is more than just the opulence of palaces and the grandeur of churches. It is an era when art, patronage, and philosophy shaped Ukraine’s cultural identity.
Mazepa creates. Rozumovsky revives. Skovoroda contemplates.
"FIREWORKS" is not just about the past. This is a conversation about responsibility for cultural heritage and the capacity to revive what was once targeted for destruction. Today, as Ukraine fights once again for its freedom and identity, the story of the Ukrainian Baroque takes on a profound new resonance.
For culture exists not only in the moment of its creation; it endures as long as it is being restored.
Exhibition curator: Khrystyna Berehovska, Director of ZAG, Doctor of Art History, and Professor at the Lviv National Academy of Arts (LNAM).
The "FIREWORK" exhibition runs from October 24, 2026, to January 24, 2027.
Venue: Zenyk Art Gallery, 7 Shota Rustaveli St., Lviv.
The artworks in the exhibition are insured by UNIQA Ukraine.