The Donetsk Regional Museum of Local History held a round table discussion entitled “Little-known pages of Donetsk region history: local history dimension”, which brought together museum workers, scientists, librarians, educators, students, local historians and public figures working to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the region. The event became a professional discussion platform for reflecting on the role of local history in shaping national identity, especially in the context of full-scale war.
The topics of the presentations were extremely diverse, ranging from little-studied figures and events in Donetsk region to reflections on the processes of decolonization and countering historical manipulation. Participants raised questions about the impact of educational and cultural initiatives on the preservation of historical memory, shared their own research experiences, and presented archival research, local history materials, and museum developments. Considerable attention was also paid to the topic of religious diversity in the region, its past and present significance.
The participants' presentations demonstrated a deep interest in little-known aspects of the region's history — those that rarely appear in textbooks but form a complete picture of Donetsk Oblast's past. The event was not only an opportunity to present their work, but also inspired further research and investigative activities.
As a result of the round table, a common vision was formulated on the need to continue professional dialogue and support initiatives that reveal different periods in the history of eastern Ukraine.