On 5 October 2026, the exhibition ‘The War in Ukraine’ opened in the Old Reading Room of the University Library of Graz. The photographs by the internationally renowned Ukrainian photographer Serhiy Mykhalchuk depict the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the reality of life for people in a world shaped by war.
At the opening, Peter Riedler, Rector of the University of Graz, and Friedrich Möstl, Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Graz, welcomed the guests. In their speeches, they highlighted the importance of academia, culture and international dialogue for understanding current societal challenges.
Alfred F. Praus, President of the Ukrainian-Austrian Association, and Dietmar Pichler from the Institute for the Defence of European Democracies then shed light on the current situation in Ukraine and its implications for Europe. The exhibition was organised in collaboration with the Ukrainian Consulate in Graz and the Ukrainian-Austrian Association and forms part of the ‘Culture vs. War’ project. During the discussion that followed, visitors took the opportunity to reflect further on the exhibition and engage in conversation with one another. It was curated by the Graz University Museum.
The photographs will be on display until next Monday in the library foyer; on 12 October, they will form part of a symposium at the Meerscheinschlössl. The short conference will focus on reconstruction in Ukraine.
