Ukrainian biologist and ornithologist Mykola Vasilenko has lived in Ukraine and studied birds all his life – until the outbreak of the war, that is. A graduate of Melitopol State Pedagogical University, during his studies Vasilenko made taxidermied mounts of birds and took part in the creation of the University’s biology museum – literally digging the foundation and raising its walls. Later he would work in the museum itself as a guide, leading informative tours about birds and animals.
For more than 30 years Vasilenko worked at Zaporizhzhia National University and was a lecturer in vertebrate zoology and game bird and animal biology. He has collaborated with the Zaporizhzhia Museum of Local History and has illustrated several publications on birds.
When the war broke out, Vasilenko was forced to move to Latvia.
Since June 2022 he has been a guide at the Latvian National Museum of Natural History. His interesting work and the understanding and support of the Latvian people have inspired him to take up painting again and to create a series of bird drawings.
"I am an ornithologist, so I draw birds," says Vasilenko. "The beauty of birds enchants me; their songs delight me and create a unique mood. I draw birds that live both in Latvia and Ukraine as well as both migratory and sedentary birds. Ukrainians are now very similar to migratory birds that have been forced to scatter all over the world to escape this “evil winter”. But we believe that we will one day all return to our homeland!”
Exhibition "Birds by my home. Watercolours by Mykola Vasilenko" 29.03.–23.04.2023.
Opening hours:
Monday – closed
Tuesday – closed
Wednesday 10.00–17.00
Thursday 10.00–17.00
Friday 10.00–17.00
Saturday 11.00–17.00
Sunday 11.00–17.00
Admission with museum tickets:
Adults – 3,50 €
Seniors, students – 2,50 €*
Pupils – 1,50 €*
* ID required (student card, senior card etc.)
Free admission – in accordance with the Latvian National Museum of Natural History service fees list.
Ukranian civilians can visit the Latvian National Museum of Natural History free of charge.
