The Donetsk Regional Museum of Local History held the latest session in its “Decolonial Studies” online coworking series, dedicated to continuing work on the Mykola Korff research case.
The meeting focused on finding ways to present the results of the analytical study “Mykola Oleksandrovych Korff Through a ‘Decolonial Lens’” to a broad audience, as well as developing the concept for the upcoming exhibition “Reinterpretation.”
Permanent members of “Decolonization Studies” and invited participants joined the professional dialogue on presenting Korff’s figure through a critical examination of the processes that shaped his historical image.
The concept of the exhibition as a “laboratory of historical perspective” was discussed separately. Its goal is not to present visitors with a ready-made and “only correct” image of the educator and public figure, but to highlight the contradictions between various historical sources. This approach will teach visitors to critically evaluate information and ask important questions: who is speaking, from what perspective, how do they describe the subject, what is left out of focus, and what other sources might add. This will allow exhibition visitors not only to discover the name of Mykola Korff and the scope of his work, but also to reflect on why certain figures and chapters of our past become less visible over time.
This event will contribute to further research into Mykola Korff’s legacy, the development of new decolonial approaches in contemporary museum practice, and the cultivation of a critical understanding of our history.