“Living Memory” Awards Presented on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
On January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the National Historical and Memorial Reserve “Babyn Yar” presented the “Living Memory” awards to individuals who preserve and pass on the memory of Babyn Yar and the Holocaust.
The “Living Memory” award honors those whose daily work, civic commitment, research, educational, or cultural activities keep memory alive — not only preserved, but thoughtfully reflected upon and transmitted to future generations.
This year’s awardees are:
Faina Baiek — Head of the Jewish community of the town of Bratslav. Through her daily efforts, she supports the preservation of historical truth about the Holocaust and helps the community remember, reflect, and speak openly about the past.
Yevhen Nyshchuk — Director General and Artistic Director of the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre, Minister of Culture of Ukraine (2014; 2016–2019). During his leadership, the development strategy of the Babyn Yar Reserve was shaped, and the play “Our Class” became part of the events marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Anatolii Podolskyi — Director of the Ukrainian Center for Holocaust Studies, a leading academic and educational institution researching the Nazi genocide of Jews in Ukraine and Eastern Europe and fostering a culture of remembrance, human rights, and tolerance.
The “Living Memory” award is an expression of gratitude to those who ensure that the memory of Babyn Yar and the Holocaust remains meaningful, active, and responsibly carried forward.
In 2025, the following laureates were honored:
No. 0009 — Serhii Kyslytsia
Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations;
First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
No. 0010 — Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
No. 0011 — Andrii Yermak
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine
No. 0012 — Diana Popova (posthumously)
Director of the Museum of the History of Kyiv
In 2026, the distinction was awarded to:
No. 0013 — Yevhen Nyshchuk
Director General and Artistic Director of the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre;
Minister of Culture of Ukraine (2014; 2016–2019)
No. 0014 — Faina Baiek
Head of the Jewish Community of the town of Bratslav
No. 0015 — Anatolii Podolskyi
Director of the Ukrainian Center for Holocaust Studies
Information about previous award recipients is available https://babynyar.gov.ua/education/living-memory-award