On 25 October 2026, the photo exhibition “Islamic Heritage of Ukraine” was officially opened in Kuwait with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine. The opening was followed by a concert of Ukrainian classical music performed by the talented Ukrainian virtuoso pianist Denys Bodnar.
The event was dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s Independence and the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Kuwait. Held at the prestigious Yarmouk Cultural Centre, the event brought together about 250 guests, including senior representatives of Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence, foreign diplomats, representatives of international organisations and leading media outlets, students, and members of the Ukrainian community in Kuwait.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador of Ukraine to the State of Kuwait Maksym Subkh emphasised that Islamic heritage is an integral part of Ukraine’s history, cultural and spiritual legacy. He noted that Islam has deep historical roots in Ukraine, particularly in Crimea, and that the Crimean Tatars, an indigenous people of Ukraine, hold a special place in the country’s history and culture.
The exhibition introduced visitors to Ukraine’s architectural heritage, including sites in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The photographs featured historic mosques, madrasas, other historic buildings, and traditional Crimean Tatar homes. They also highlighted the richness of Crimean Tatar cultural life, including traditional clothing, cuisine, crafts, and customs.
Special attention was devoted to Örnek, the traditional Crimean Tatar ornamental art, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. The exhibition also featured photographs from annual Iftar gatherings attended by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, representatives of Ukraine’s Islamic religious leadership, and Muslim communities across the country, further illustrating the religious and cultural diversity of Ukrainian society.
The exhibition brought together historical and contemporary photographs by photographers from Ukraine and other European countries, archival materials from the Crimean House and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine “Ummah”, as well as photographs from the personal archive of Sheikh and Mufti Ahmed Tamim. The Embassy expresses its sincere gratitude to all those who provided photographic materials for this important exhibition and contributed to its success.
In his address, Ambassador Subkh also recalled the tragic chapters in the history of the Crimean Tatar people, particularly the forced deportation of 1944, and highlighted the challenges currently faced by Crimean Tatars and other Muslim communities under Russia’s temporary occupation of Crimea. He stressed the importance of preserving cultural and religious identity, historical memory, and traditions. The Ambassador also acknowledged the contribution of Ukrainian Muslims who, alongside Ukrainians of other faiths, are defending their country in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Maksym Subkh further highlighted the historical ties between Ukraine and Kuwait in the religious, cultural, and educational spheres, expressing his gratitude to Kuwaiti partners for their support in preserving Ukraine’s Islamic heritage and strengthening the friendship between the two peoples.
Following the exhibition opening, pianist Denys Bodnar performed a concert of Ukrainian classical music. The programme featured works by distinguished Ukrainian composers Mykola Lysenko, Yuriy Shchurovsky, Myroslav Skoryk, and Serhiy Bortkevych. Ukrainian clarinettist Viktor Shramko, who lives and works in Kuwait, joined the pianist for several pieces.
The Embassy of Ukraine expresses its sincere gratitude to Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters of Kuwait, and the team at the Yarmouk Cultural Centre for their assistance in organising the event. Special thanks were extended to Her Highness Sheikha Hessa Al-Sabah, Director General of Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, for her personal contribution to the successful organisation of the exhibition and concert.
The exhibition “Islamic Heritage of Ukraine” provided a valuable opportunity to present the multifaceted history and culture of Ukraine to Kuwaiti audiences. It has also underscored the importance of preserving cultural diversity and historical memory, while reaffirming the friendly relations between Ukraine and Kuwait.
photo courtesy Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah