Click the image to the left or go here for a full listing of events at CREES and its affiliated centers, the Copernicus Center for Polish Studies (CCPS) and the Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia (WCEE).
WCEE Film Series on Ukraine. Erase the Nation (2023, 56 min)
Followed by Q&A with film director and war journalist Tomasz Grzywaczewski. Moderator, JOSEPH SYWENKYJ, Howard R. Marsh Visiting Professor of Journalism, LSA, Communication and Media, U-M
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
5:00-6:30 PM
Off Campus Location
"Erase the Nation" is a documentary war film that sheds light on the tragic chapter of Russian war crimes committed against Ukraine’s national andmulticultural heritage. This powerful film highlights the devastation inflictedon museums, monuments, archaeological sites and sacred places such as the cathedral in Odessa, all ruthlessly destroyed by Russian forces who are trying to rewrite history in the name of the chauvinist ideology of “Great Russia''.
However, "Erase the Nation" doesn't just capture the destruction. It also reveals the resilience and determination of individuals from the world of culture who are working hard to preserve our common heritage or choose to stand up and join the fight for their homeland. The film pays tribute to these brave souls, emphasizing that those who perished in the conflict would never have the chance to compose new songs, direct new films, or craft new poetry.
"Erase the Nation" is a testament to the enduring power of culture, which proves stronger than the hatred of barbarism. It underscores how even in the face of devastation, the spirit of art and heritage can shine through, offering hope and a path toward restoration.
Free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mldH4AoMwDg
Tomasz Grzywaczewski is a war journalist, documentary filmmaker, and author of nonfiction books with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Since February 2022, he has been serving as a correspondent for the Chief Evening News Service on TVP1, reporting from Ukraine’s frontline, adding to his coverage of conflict zones like Donbas, Kurdistan, and Nagorno Karabakh. Grzywaczewski has collaborated with numerous media outlets, including CBS News and Foreign Policy. His recent documentary, “Erase the Nation,” has been screened at international forums such as OSCE and UNESCO, as well as in cities worldwide e.g. Stockholm, New York, and Kuala Lumpur.
If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at gosiak@umich.edu. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.
However, "Erase the Nation" doesn't just capture the destruction. It also reveals the resilience and determination of individuals from the world of culture who are working hard to preserve our common heritage or choose to stand up and join the fight for their homeland. The film pays tribute to these brave souls, emphasizing that those who perished in the conflict would never have the chance to compose new songs, direct new films, or craft new poetry.
"Erase the Nation" is a testament to the enduring power of culture, which proves stronger than the hatred of barbarism. It underscores how even in the face of devastation, the spirit of art and heritage can shine through, offering hope and a path toward restoration.
Free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mldH4AoMwDg
Tomasz Grzywaczewski is a war journalist, documentary filmmaker, and author of nonfiction books with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Since February 2022, he has been serving as a correspondent for the Chief Evening News Service on TVP1, reporting from Ukraine’s frontline, adding to his coverage of conflict zones like Donbas, Kurdistan, and Nagorno Karabakh. Grzywaczewski has collaborated with numerous media outlets, including CBS News and Foreign Policy. His recent documentary, “Erase the Nation,” has been screened at international forums such as OSCE and UNESCO, as well as in cities worldwide e.g. Stockholm, New York, and Kuala Lumpur.
If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at gosiak@umich.edu. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.
| Building: | Off Campus Location |
|---|---|
| Location: | State Theatre, 233 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
| Event Type: | Film Screening |
| Tags: | europe, film, ukraine |
| Source: | Happening @ Michigan from Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia, International Institute, Department of Film, Television, and Media, Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies |
