On May 7, as part of the local history project “Donetsk Region on the Map of Time,” an online meeting was held with Dmytro Polienko, author of the photo book “Quiet, Free Donbas.” The event brought participants together for a heartfelt conversation about memory, people, and everyday life in the Donetsk region, as captured in photographs.
During the meeting, Dmytro Polienko spoke about the history of the book’s creation. According to the author, the idea for the publication arose after he shared photographs dedicated to the lives and work of miners in his hometown of Myrnohrad. It was the support and positive feedback from readers that served as the impetus for creating a separate photo book.
The publication includes documentary photographs taken between 2012 and 2020. The images capture the region’s authentic life without staging or embellishment: the people, cities, work, emotions, and atmosphere of the Donetsk region.
Attendees actively asked questions about the book’s creation process, the selection of photographs, the symbolism of the title, and the author’s creative plans. Dmytro Polienko also expressed his willingness to share visual materials to contribute to the local history platform “Donetsk Region on the Map of Time.”
Such publications are important for preserving the region’s historical memory and cultural heritage, as they form a visual archive that will help future generations see and experience the true life of their native land.