Discover
Our special collections are a treasure trove of rare books and materials. Hoping Against Hope is designed to showcase our Ukrainian collection, which is the largest of its kind in Australia. Many of the items in Hoping Against Hope have never been on public display in Australia.
The Ada Booth Slavic Studies Collection
Our Ukrainian collection was first established in 1983. At the time Monash University was one of two Australian universities offering Ukrainian studies.
In 2011, the collection was transformed into the Ada Booth Slavic Collection, following a benefaction from the late Ada Booth. It included a $10 million trust fund and her extensive personal library. With support from the benefaction, we have continued to grow the collection; it now contains 14,000 pieces in 25 languages.
About Ada Booth
Ada Booth was a physicist at The University of Melbourne. She studied many languages and had a life-long love of Slavic languages and literature. For a time she was keenly interested in left-wing politics, and was affiliated with the Communist Party of Australia both in Tasmania and Melbourne. In later life, she became an avid – and very successful – stock market trader.
Learn more about Hoping Against Hope
Explore
From rare books to immersive animations, more than 500 years of Ukrainian print culture is on display in the Matheson Gallery.
Reflect
Our Sacred corner mirrors that of a Ukrainian household; it holds displays of art and icons, and an invitation for our community to reflect.
About
From expert curators to multimedia design students, find out about the team of people who helped bring this exhibition to life.
Content warning
This exhibition contains images and references that some viewers might find confronting. It includes themes of war, colonial conflict, forced migration, famine and displacement.
If you are affected, support is available via:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Monash mental health resources for staff and students.