The Ukrainian Decolonial Glossary emerges as an revelatory compilation of concepts from de- anti- and post-colonial theories, interwoven with the unique narratives of Ukrainian context. The first edition unveils twenty meticulously selected terms, each a testament to the intellectual and creative contributions of Ukraine's researchers, writers, and artists. This endeavor not only showcases the rich tapestry of Ukrainian scholarly and artistic thought but also enriches the global conversation by weaving in the threads of Ukrainian experiences. It stands as a beacon of knowledge-sharing and bridge-building. The glossary aims to kindle conversations among thinkers from varied backgrounds who are united by common world views and desires for mutual learning.
Panel Discussion: Decolonisation Dialogues: Bridging Local Learnings
Moderator: Yuliia Elias.
Here, two years ago one of our curators - Yulia Elyas - organised her panel “The Essential Labor for Survival” about the state of emergency as not something new, but part of an ongoing trajectory of imperialism and coloniality in Ukraine as well as other former Russian colonies. This panel critically engaged with existing narratives about Eastern Europe by art institutions of Northern Europe, and asked how these narratives might be complicit in the circumstances that lead to this moment and the role of the radical imagination in times of life-threatening emergency. One notable shift has been the surge in references to 'decolonization'—a term now ubiquitous not only in theoretical debates and art exhibitions but also within the programming of museums and institutions, European Parliament documents, and multidisciplinary conferences
For two years, Ukrainians, amidst the harsh realities of colonial warfare, had to assert their right to decolonisation. This assertion, however, comes with the challenge of legitimising their use of decolonial and postcolonial vocabulary.
Over the past decade, discussions have increasingly focused on the issue of appropriating and misusing the 'decolonial thought'. How has the decolonial project become so prevalent, and what are the ramifications of its widespread adoption? How can we challenge modernity in a collaborative transnational way yet allow space to make vocabulary accessible to the local context? How do postcolonial constellations contribute to sharpening the decolonial tools?
Through this panel, we aim to collectively delve into the appropriation and misuse of decolonial perspectives, seeking to uncover and foster the untapped potential within these conversations.
