In the scenes of Kyiv daily life, a “glass” history will be presented. The use of glass containers was primarily in the pharmaceutical industry, perfumery, and the bottling of liquids for various purposes. Even today, glass remains a part of our everyday life no less than it was for the residents of modern Kyiv.
“Glass is a strong yet fragile material, and objects made from it can be both simple and everyday or true masterpieces, works of art. Undoubtedly, the skillful and meticulous work of the curators and the Museum team will allow us to see unknown fragments of our history through glass,” notes Diana Popova, General Director of the Museum of Kyiv History.
History in Glass” will be revealed through the themes “Leisure,” “Health,” “Everyday Life,” and “Beauty.” The inspiration for the exhibition came from a collection of glass containers, founded by the well-known Kyiv archaeologist, Candidate of Historical Sciences, and Head of the Archaeology Research Sector at the National Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve, Serhii Taranenko. This collection was transferred to the funds of the Museum of Kyiv History. The thematic narratives are enriched by unique examples of glass containers and tableware provided by exhibition partners — the pharmaceutical company Darnytsia, Ukraine’s largest beverage producer Obolon, and the craft beer brand Varvar. Interiors of a 19th-century tavern, boudoir, and dining room have been recreated based on the collection of the Museum of Kyiv History. A collaboration with the Pharmacy Museum in Kyiv made it possible to place a meticulously reconstructed 18th-century pharmacy within the exhibition space.
Care for “Health” is inevitably linked to the development of the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacy practice. One of the most remarkable exhibits in the “Everyday Life” theme is a fragment of a glass shoe stretcher used for leather footwear. Exhibition curator Alina Sushko emphasizes: “The diversity of glass objects, their variety of forms, and the range of applications of glass are striking. In many fields, a material whose history spans several thousand years remains irreplaceable to this day. For the first time, we are focusing specifically on the material itself, and through it, we reveal related themes. Around one thousand glass items selected for the exhibition organically complement the picture of the past and will be understandable to everyone, while the purpose of some of them will intrigue visitors.”
Cosmetic products and perfumes occupy a special place among stuff of beauties and gentlemen of various historical periods. The most remarkable perfume bottles from famous French brands constitute an important and extremely interesting part of “History in Glass.” A discussion of perfumes, fragrances, and authentic scents would be incomplete without the opportunity to experience them. Thanks to the project partner, renowned perfumer Bohdan Zubchenko, visitors of the exhibition will be able to discover special scents, including his signature “ALEA 89 ANNE DE KIEV,” inspired by the figure of the Kyiv princess.
Bohdan Zubchenko comments on his participation in the project: “The exhibition will present part of the collection I have gathered over many years for the Museum of Ukrainian Perfumery. Having worked in perfumery for over 30 years, educational outreach remains extremely important to me, and this project is an opportunity to tell the story of Ukrainian factories that created fragrances on par with European ones — just as they do now, or even surpassing them. Perfumes are the image of an era, its sensual embodiment. Fragrances are always linked to memories and awaken associations. When looking at old paintings or watching vintage films, one often wonders: what did the people of that time smell like? At the exhibition, you will not only see history in glass but also experience its scent.”