2am opening day, resting on the Berlin Wall
Last week I opened the exhibit “Revolutions in Eastern Europe: The Rise of Democracy, 1989-1990” at the Hoover Institution Library and Archives at Stanford University. It was my final exhibition as the assistant archivist for exhibits and outreach, as I have since moved to Warsaw, Poland where I am pursuing a PhD in history. The exhibit opening featured a talk by Dr. Norman Naimark, Stanford professor and Hoover fellow, on the historic events of 1989, and was followed by a lively Q&A session that also covered current affairs in Eastern Europe and Russia.
With Professor Norman Naimark at the opening
Although the exhibit focuses on the 25th anniversary of the momentous events that took place in Eastern Europe, it is a timely topic given the political turmoil in Ukraine. For that reason I decided to include a display on the Euromaidan protests in Kiev, showcasing recently acquired political signs and leaflets from Kiev, collected in November and December 2013.
With Professor Bertrand Patenaude at the opening
The exhibitions that I’ve put together over the years (starting in 2009) have focused on history, made real by materials from the rich archival and library collections of the Hoover Institution. History isn’t a subject to be studied in isolation though. By reflecting on the past we can better understand how we reached the present and how our actions today will shape the future.
With Eric Wakin, Director of the Hoover Library and Archives
If you are around Stanford University come check out the exhibit and let me know what you think. Admission is free and it’s located next to Hoover Tower in the Herbert Hoover Memorial Exhibit Pavilion. It’s open Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm and will run until September 20, 2014.
The finished exhibition. Many thanks to the Preservation department for making it happen.
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