Explore

Set against a backdrop of vibrant designs, animations and interactive technologies, Hoping Against Hope explores the relationship between resistance, resilience and hope through 500 years of print culture in Ukraine.

It is inspired by Lesia Ukrainka's 1890 poem ‘Contra Spem Spero’ or ‘Hoping Against Hope’, and is drawn from Monash University Library’s world-class Ada Booth Slavic Collection.

The free exhibition is on show at the Sir Louis Matheson Library Gallery from June 2024.

“Russia's war on Ukraine is a war to extinguish Ukrainian identity. Hoping Against Hope is a beautiful and uplifting exhibition which shows how Ukrainian culture has resisted such endeavours in the past, and how it is doing so again today.”

- Professor Marko Pavlyshyn

Experience Hoping Against Hope

Virtual tour

Wander through this vibrant and immersive exhibition.

Ada Booth print collection highlights

View a full version of our exhibition catalogue, and explore the resources available through the world-class Ada Booth Slavic Collection.

Exhibition wall labels

Browse the full catalogue of wall labels for each piece on display in the exhibition

Exhibition highlights

Deepen your understanding

Learn how Ukrainian perspectives have been historically suppressed, silenced and diminished, and how each generation has drawn on connected values of resilience, resistance and hope.

Rare collection

View rare books and items on display for the first time in Australia, like this 1620 book 'Garden of the Soul', written in Ruthenian.

Poetry readings

Experience animated poetry read in Ukrainian and English, including Serhiy Zhadan’s 2022 poem 'Like snails, people wait for evening...' read in English by Nick Cave.