Delegation from Partner City Opens Exhibition on Dnipro at the New Town Hall
Today, Ostrava’s Mayor, Jan Dohnal, welcomed a delegation of representatives from the Ukrainian city of Dnipro in the representative halls of the New City Hall. Dnipro has been a partner city of Ostrava since last year. Following a meeting held in a positive and friendly atmosphere, the delegation opened a photography exhibition in the town hall foyer, introducing the city of Dnipro to the public.
Photography exhibition on Dnipro at the New City Hall. Photo: Ostrava
The exhibition will run until early April.
Members of the delegation repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Ostrava and all Czech citizens for their help, support, and solidarity during these difficult times. They also invited all interested visitors to view the exhibition about Dnipro. The photographs not only provide a visual portrait of the city but also capture life during wartime and the challenges its residents face. The exhibition was opened by Mayor Jan Dohnal along with Yevhen Khoroshilov, Head of the Department of Culture of the City of Dnipro. Khoroshilov also delivered greetings and thanks from Dnipro’s Mayor, Borys Filatov.
A Brief History of Dnipro
Dnipro’s history is closely tied to the Cossacks, with many Cossack fortresses and settlements in the area, including Novyi Kodak, one of the largest towns of the Zaporizhian Sich. In the 18th century, the city of Katerynoslav was established on the site of Cossack settlements. By the late 19th century, the city had developed into a strong economic and cultural center. Explorer, archaeologist, geologist, and entrepreneur Oleksandr Pol attracted foreign investment to the city, sparking rapid economic and industrial growth. A unique cultural phenomenon in the city’s history is the profession of the boatmen (bargemen) of the Dnipro rapids—descendants of the Cossacks who ferried people and cargo across the untamed waters.
In 1926, the Soviet government renamed the city Dnipropetrovsk and connected the right and left banks of the river.
Starting in 1951, the city became a center for rocket production (including intercontinental ballistic missile carriers), ushering in a new period in its history—one of restricted access for foreigners.
Dnipro actively supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, which led to the renaming of Dnipropetrovsk to Dnipro. Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Dnipro has become a key hub for volunteer efforts, healthcare, and military support.