On Nov. 21st, at 4:00 p.m. at the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art, Olena Huseinova came to present to the Demorest community.

Olena Huseinova is a Ukrainian poet, prose writer, radio host and producer. She is part of the The International Writing Program at The University of Iowa and was given the opportunity to go and present at the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum.

Huseinova gave a presentation about her life during the war going on in Ukraine and Russia. “I want to make this time and place to be heard not to disappear” said Huseinova about what she wanted her main take away from the presentation of her current work.

Huseinova told her audience where she was when the war started and her role on being a radio host. She gave updates on the radio for the people in Ukraine. Informing communities about what they would need to take in their emergency bag such as documents, trash bags and other objects. She also was a voice for those who did not have a voice during the start of the war. 

Her current project is in partnership with Mark Andryczyk where they are collecting diaries of people that are living the war in Ukraine. Each story has the writing of the diary followed with photographs. Huseinova mentioned that Andryczyk is in charge of the designing of the exhibition while she is in charge of the writing. “He came up to me and said I am going to be his writer for this.” 

They are currently still collecting more diaries to add more stories to the exhibits. Huseinova wants to also lean into using her writing to tell the stories of what is happening in Ukraine. Her presentation was open to the public and there were students and faculty present to hear more from Huseinova. 

The Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art is open to the public and students are welcome to visit to see the museum and any upcoming events they may have.