The Nanovic Institute is dedicated to studying all things Europe. At times, the idea of European studies recalls the image of carefully perusing old manuscripts in languages that are no longer spoken. While this is certainly part of scholarship, and an essential one, it is not the only way to engage intellectually with Europe. The Ukrainian studies conference “Revolutions of Hope, Resilience, and Recovery in Ukraine,” March 6-8, 2025, offered an example of this expansive view of European studies, particularly through the talk by Dr. Olesya Khromeychuk. In it, she posited that the experiential knowledge of the recent hardships of Ukraine in maintaining and flourishing its democracy and freedom can be a model for the whole world.
Khromeychuk's address, "What We Can Learn from Ukraine's Fight for Democracy," was a profound exploration of hope, resilience, and the very essence of democratic struggle. The presentation was based on her personal life and experience of growing up in Ukraine in the midst of the country’s struggles to solidify democracy.
As director of the Ukrainian Institute London, Khromeychuk brought not only her academic expertise as a historian but also her deeply personal connection to a nation continuously navigating the complexities of its identity and sovereignty. Her presentation—interwoven with historical narratives, personal anecdotes, and poetic and literary allusions—offered a compelling perspective on the Ukrainian experience, one that resonated far beyond the immediate context of the ongoing conflict and can speak to any audience that appreciates and values democracy.
Khromeychuk's academic credentials are formidable. With a Ph.D. in history from University College London and a distinguished teaching career spanning prestigious institutions, she possesses a keen understanding of East-Central European history. Her published works, including "The Death of a Soldier Told by His Sister" and "Undetermined Ukrainians," reveal her to be a scholar deeply engaged with the human cost of conflict and the complexities of national identity. Her ability to synthesize historical analysis with poignant personal reflections and a vast collection of literature references, as evidenced in her widely acclaimed TED Talk, made her address at Notre Dame particularly impactful.
Her talk began by dissecting the concept of hope, drawing from the ancient Greek myth of Pandora. She challenged the traditional interpretation of Pandora's act, suggesting that hope, rather than being a curse, is an ambiguous force, a potential source of resilience. This idea of "hopeless hope," “contra spem spero,” a term she borrowed from the poetry of Lesya Ukrainka, a 19th-century Ukrainian poetess and political activist, became a central motif in her narrative. She illustrated how this paradoxical hope, born from generations of struggle and statelessness, fueled the Ukrainian spirit, enabling them to persevere against seemingly insurmountable odds in different moments of their history.
In fact, this illustrated how a variety of hopes inspired and led the people of Ukraine. At times, hope meant gambling and risk. In other moments, hope was this hopelessness that gave strength and vision to fight and resist. Furthermore, sometimes hope takes the shape of meaning in life, not necessarily success. Yet, there were cases in which hope transformed into the memory of the past, a past in which Ukrainians survived all types of hardship and acquired skills along the journey. In sum, hope meant to look into the darkness and be able to see the possibility of a light shining.
Khromeychuk's personal recollections provided a powerful backdrop to her historical analysis. Significantly, she was born in the final years of the fall of the Soviet Union. In a way, she became an adult alongside Ukrainian democracy. Growing up in Lviv during the tumultuous years of Ukraine's transition from Soviet rule, she witnessed firsthand the power of collective action. For her, the chain of unity in 1990, the Orange Revolution in 2004, and the Revolution of Dignity in 2014 were not mere historical events but lived experiences that shaped her understanding of democracy. She mentioned seeing political demonstrations from the window of her family’s apartment. These moments, she argued, demonstrated the crucial role of unity and perseverance in the pursuit of freedom.
For Ukrainians, democracy was the hope of freedom, a promise of liberty. Khromeychuk emphasized that democracy was not an abstract concept for them but a hard-won reality, a constant struggle against external and internal forces seeking to undermine their sovereignty. She summarized it by saying, “The storm brings strength.”
Her discussion of "hopelessness" as a potential source of power was particularly thought-provoking. Hopelessness can be a virtue, for one can be empowered when one does not have anything to lose. She challenged the conventional view of despair as a purely negative emotion, suggesting that it can become a catalyst for action and strength for those who have lost everything.
This perspective, rooted in the lived experiences of Ukrainians, offered a stark contrast to the often privileged despair prevalent in Western societies, which commonly leads to individualism and resignation. In fact, she pointed out how she does not feel despair whenever she visits Ukraine. Meanwhile, when she comes to the U.S. and other Western countries, she does experience it. Khromeychuk highlighted how the knowledge of statelessness and oppression had instilled in Ukrainians a deep appreciation for the rule of law and the fundamental freedoms it protects. For them, Nationalism is a basic civic virtue and has a very positive connotation. In a way, hope keeps Ukraine planting the seeds of freedom without expecting the harvest.
The conversation that followed, moderated by Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization at Notre Dame, further illuminated these key themes. Pippenger, with his extensive experience in international education and a deep commitment to supporting Ukraine, engaged Khromeychuk in a thoughtful dialogue that explored the interplay between individual and collective hope, the nature of democratic struggle, and the role of historical memory in shaping national identity.
The discussion explored the question of how to cultivate hope in the face of overwhelming adversity. Khromeychuk emphasized the importance of agency and action, reminding the audience that each individual has the power to contribute to positive change. She stressed the need to witness the suffering of others, not as passive observers, but as active participants in the struggle for justice. Here, the aspect of community in resilience and hope was foregrounded. In this context, love is a crucial requirement for hope.
She also discussed the idea of a flame, a spirit that moves across the country, uniting people of different backgrounds. She said that this flame needed constant tending and that individuals had the agency to keep that flame alive. In this context, unity is a condition for hope; individual members of society must hold to each other in hope.
The recitation of poetry, such as the work of Lesya Ukrainka, added a layer of emotional depth to the discussion. The poems served as powerful reminders of the enduring human spirit and the transformative power of hope, even in the darkest moments. Khromeychuk's closing reflection on the importance of witnessing and acting, even in the face of uncertainty, resonated deeply with the audience. One of the attendees mentioned similar experiences living in Poland.
In conclusion, Khromeychuk's address offered a profound and timely reflection on the lessons the world can learn from Ukraine's fight for democracy. Her message was clear: hope is not a passive emotion but an active force, a catalyst for change that requires constant nurturing and unwavering commitment. The enduring flame of the Ukrainian spirit, she argued, serves as a beacon of inspiration for all those who believe in the power of democracy and the enduring human capacity for resilience.
Against all hope, we hope.
Originally published by at nanovic.nd.edu on April 28, 2025.