The Museum of Kyiv History, Gulliver Shopping and Entertainment Center, and antique Christmas decoration collector Marina Lukyanova present the stunning exhibition “Kyiv Christmas Tree at Gulliver,” the first museum corner in a shopping mall and a bright Christmas destination in the capital!
“Kyiv Christmas Tree from the 19th Century to the Present” – the exhibition currently on display at the Museum of Kyiv History – opens another exhibition space outside the museum, this time at Gulliver Mall.
This is the first “museum corner” in a shopping center, where a unique exhibition space has been created, blending history with the lively atmosphere of a modern shopping and entertainment center.
The exhibition tells the true story of the “Kyiv Christmas tree,” even in times when it had to be hidden in a closet or under a table. This journey through time promises an exciting New Year adventure for the whole family, thanks to the magically arranged displays and unique artifacts, including antique toys from the 19th century and decorations that were sold exclusively for export.
At the museum corner, visitors can see the “forbidden Kyiv Christmas tree,” as well as unique Christmas decorations from the 1920s–30s and toys from various countries around the world.
Additionally, the project has a charitable purpose – raising funds for the Ohmatdyt Charity Foundation, with a portion of ticket sales directed to help children.
The funds raised could become a true New Year’s miracle for someone who truly needs it.
“For the first time, we are opening an exhibition hall outside the Museum, at Gulliver Mall. This is not only a new step for the Museum, but also a new chapter in the storybook of Kyiv traditions. For us, it is a way to connect history, culture, and visitors. While the main Museum exhibition is temporarily evacuated, we are seeking new forms of work and engaging collaborations so that our cultural and educational mission never pauses. We invite everyone to join this unique journey through time, which will reveal the secrets hidden in every toy and decoration,” says Diana Popova, General Director of the Museum of Kyiv History.
A special section of the exhibition will feature Christmas and New Year postcards from the Museum of Kyiv History’s collections.
At the exhibition “Kyiv Christmas Tree at Gulliver,” visitors will see examples of Christmas decorations from Marina Lukyanova’s personal collection, spanning from the mid-19th century to the 1990s. Many of these pieces have unique histories and are truly exclusive.
“Ukrainian Christmas ornaments are like a code, a distinctive marker of the DNA of their time. They are an integral part of our history, which it is important to study and understand. We are presenting a wide variety of Christmas decorations to immerse visitors as fully as possible in the atmosphere of each period: a pre-Soviet porcelain and gold-leaf Easter egg from 1907, the first figurative glass decorations of the 1920s, a Saint Nicholas figure made of cotton and papier-mâché from the 1930s, Ukrainian artels’ toys from the 1950s–60s, as well as wire, cardboard, lavsan, and plastic decorations,” notes collector Marina Lukyanova.
“In our shopping center, we have chosen an educational direction, and collaboration with museums is one of the key vectors for us. In a festive atmosphere, our visitors, in addition to shopping, can discover something interesting and useful for themselves. Now is the time for warm Christmas holidays, and I am confident that the first museum corner with unique Christmas trees and decorations will become not only a special feature of our complex, but also a must-visit location for families during the holidays,” adds Kateryna Zhurakivska, Marketing Director of Gulliver Mall.
Exhibition Designer: Kateryna Kostenko
Exhibition Partner: Gulliver Mall