Documentary Film “About Kharkiv and About Myself” in Düsseldorf: When History Speaks Through People’s Voices

On February 20, 2025, the Düsseldorf Central Library hosted a screening of the unique documentary “About Kharkiv and About Myself” – the first large-scale oral history project dedicated to the German occupation of Kharkiv in 1941-43. The event was held thanks to support of the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung, and the film was presented by Dr. Gelinada Grinchenko, co-chair of the UOHA and the author of the film’s concept.

Dubbed in German, the film consists of four parts:

• The Beginning of the War and the Occupation of the City – How Kharkiv faced the outbreak of war and what it meant to live under enemy rule.
• The Persecution of Kharkiv’s Jews – The tragedy of the Holocaust, the Kharkiv ghetto, and Drobytsky Yar, alongside stories of survival and a lifetime of pain.
• Everyday Life Under Occupation – A struggle between fear and hope: survival, work, daily routines, and the search for humanity in the darkest times.
• The End of the Occupation and the Aftermath of War – The city and its people after liberation, post-war reconstruction, and the return home.

The Uniqueness of This Project

• For the first time, such a large-scale documentary oral history project about Kharkiv’s occupation has been presented internationally.
• The German dubbing allows European audiences to hear and understand the city’s history through the voices of eyewitnesses.
• Behind this project stands an incredible team whose tireless efforts have conveyed history with truth, sensitivity, and depth.

The screening sparked a profound discussion, bringing together library representatives, German foundations, researchers, and an engaged audience. They reflected on memory, pain, responsibility to future generations, and the role of oral history in preserving the truth.

Infinite gratitude goes to Gelinada Grinchenko, whose vision, dedication, and belief in this project made it possible. Thanks to her efforts, the world now has the chance to hear the testimonies of those who lived through the occupation of Kharkiv.

This film is not just about the past—it is a reminder that history is always about people. As long as we remember, we can shape the future.

At a time when we mark the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, such screenings take on even greater significance. War is not just about the front lines and battles; it is about human suffering, devastated cities, and shattered lives. About Kharkiv and About Myself reminds us that occupation is not merely a historical event—it is a reality that deeply affects human lives. Today, just as 80 years ago, Kharkiv is fighting for its survival. And such documentary testimony serves as a crucial lesson: history teaches only those who are willing to listen.