Themes by tag: culture

Dina Chmuzh witnessed the beginning of the full-scale invasion in her hometown of Kharkiv. Her father joined the Defense Forces, and Dina and her mother initially refused to leave the city. They eventually evacuated in March 2022, but returned to Kharkiv a few months later.

Since then, the artist has been writing poetry on the plywood used to replace windows and storefronts shattered by explosions. Dina has created about 20 murals with poems by Ukrainian poets. In the future, she hopes to incorporate verses by Lyubov Yakymchuk, Bohdan Kutsenko, and Yaryna Chornoguz into her murals.

You can contact Dina Chmuzh online or by appointment in Kharkiv.

• culture
• women
• Kharkiv

Oleksandr Miroshnikov, a 62-year-old master jeweler, has spent more than half his life crafting intricate designs. Recognized as an Honored Master of Folk Art of Ukraine and a full recipient of the prestigious Fabergé Memorial Foundation awards, Miroshnikov has taken on a unique challenge since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion—creating jewelry from titanium salvaged from russian missile wreckage.

The titanium, extracted from downed Kalibr and Kh-101 missiles provided by Ukrainian forces, is far more challenging to work with than gold or platinum, Miroshnikov says, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.

His creations have found homes in museums and private collections across Ukraine, Europe, the United States, and the UAE, and they’re frequently featured at exhibitions. Currently, he is finishing a piece titled “Fleur de Fougère” (Fern Flower). 

Those interested in connecting with Oleksandr can meet him in Mykolaiv or the Lviv region, either in person or online, by prior arrangement.

• culture
• weapon
• Lviv

On January 21, Kyiv will host the opening of the exhibition “Tandem of Victory: Stories of Rescue, Life and Resilience”. The event aims to draw attention to the importance of supporting the mental health of veterans and victims of war through artistic practices and hippotherapy.

Key participants and projects of the exhibition:

Victory Center: A non-profit organization focused on the psycho-emotional recovery of veterans and children affected by war. They use hippovention (a model of therapeutic interaction between humans and horses) and hippotherapy. The center’s story is told through the personal experiences of its executive director, Nastia Popandopulos.

Palette of Courage: Halyna Morar, an artist, ATO veteran, and fighter in a volunteer battalion of the Ukrainian National Guard, explores internal transformations shaped by external influences. Her works are deeply rooted in Ukrainian traditions and wartime symbolism, calling for the preservation of identity and finding strength in difficult times. In Halyna’s paintings, war is portrayed as a challenging path to victory that brings transformation to both Ukraine and the world.

Social ranch “Horse Paradise” (Kseniia and Halyna): Horse Paradise is a social ranch that has become a sanctuary for horses rescued from the war. It combines therapeutic animal interactions with innovative methods of veteran rehabilitation, contributing to their psychological recovery.

• culture
• Kyiv

On January 17 the photo exhibition “Days of Remembrance of the Heroes of the Battle of Ilovaisk 2014” will be officially opened. Visitors can now view the photographs at the Museum of Kyiv Occupation.

The exhibition commemorates one of the most tragic events in Ukraine’s struggle against russia and honors those who were the first to defend the country in 2014. Visitors will see photographs that have become historical artifacts, taken by photographers who worked in the fiercest combat zones near Ilovaisk in the Donetsk oblast in August 2014. These photographers documented the battlefield positions of the Special Purpose Battalion “Donbas” of the National Guard of Ukraine.

The preservation of this photographic anthology is due to Maksym Dondyuk, Oleksandr Glyadyelov, Markiian Lyseiko, and Maksym Levin, who managed to survive the encirclement of Ilovaisk. Tragically, Maksym Levin was killed during the full-scale invasion in the spring of 2022 in the occupied Kyiv oblast while documenting russian war crimes.

The exhibition features more than 50 photographs – a fraction of the extensive collection depicting the Battle of Ilovaisk, from the events of August 10 to the “humanitarian corridor of death” on August 29, 2014.

For reference: The exhibition is organized by the NGO “‘Sarmat’ Military-Patriotic Association of Combatant”, the NGO “Invincible Mothers of Ukraine”, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, and the National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred – Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.

• culture
• military
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Since April 2023, the Cultural Forces—a group of military personnel with backgrounds in creative fields—has spearheaded the “Books to the Frontline” project, bringing a touch of home to soldiers stationed at the front. The initiative invites every Ukrainian to participate. At any bookstore displaying the “Gift a Book to the Front” poster, customers can purchase a book to be sent directly to the front lines. The bookstores then pass the books to the project team, which ensures their delivery. To date, more than 30,000 books have reached Ukrainian soldiers.  

Leading this effort is Andrii Ovcharuk, a sergeant in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Before the war, Ovcharuk headed the Kyiv office of the Old Lion Publishing House. On February 24, 2022, he volunteered for military service despite having poor eyesight, joining the 101st Separate Brigade of the General Staff. Ovcharuk served in this role for two years before dedicating his efforts to this cultural initiative.  

Journalists interested in covering the project can meet with Ovcharuk and his team either online or in person in Kyiv. With prior arrangement, they can also witness the book sorting and shipment process firsthand.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Denys, a defender of Irpin and founder of a furniture production company, has a lifelong passion for woodworking. His journey began in his childhood when he lived in Crimea. After the russian occupation of Crimea, he left his home, joined the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), and later relocated to Irpin in the Kyiv oblast.

In the Irpin community, Denys turned his dream into reality. He completed business courses, secured a grant, and opened his own furniture workshop in 2021.

In February and March 2022, when russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Denys took up arms to defend Irpin. He participated in the battles for the town and helped evacuate civilians. During this time, the occupiers destroyed and looted his workshop.

Despite these losses, Denys managed to rebuild his business in a new location.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Taras Stolyar was a bandurist in the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments for 20 years. His musical career was put on hold on February 24, 2022, when he joined Kyiv’s territorial defense. By March, he was defending the Kyiv oblast from russian occupiers, earning the nickname “Bandura”. Later, his unit was deployed to the eastern front, where he fought near Kreminna and Bakhmut, first as a rifleman and later as a drone operator.

In November 2023, Taras joined the “Cultural Forces,” a group of Ukrainian artists who perform for soldiers on the front lines, in hospitals, and in liberated cities. His bandura performances are meant to inspire and boost the morale of the military.

In the fall of 2024, Taras and other members of “Cultural Forces” project embarked on a tour of the United States, performing 170 benefit concerts. One of his performances was attended by the English musician Sting. According to Taras, the unique sound of his bandura and a cover of one of Sting’s songs captivated the legendary artist. As a result, Stoliar accompanied Sting at a concert in Los Angeles. The military musicians also recorded a video with Sting, which quickly gained popularity on the Internet.

Taras Stoliar is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement. He is either in Kyiv or deployed to the front lines.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

The “Road of Life” lighting installation in Irpin, crafted on the site of the destroyed Romanyiv Bridge, has been recognized at the renowned LIT Lighting Design Awards, an esteemed international competition based in Switzerland. The project earned top honors in the Religious & Spiritual Site Lighting Design category, highlighting its profound impact and creative vision.  

The installation features red threads illuminated by pulsating light, symbolically connecting the shattered remnants of the bridge. This poignant design pays tribute to resilience and recovery amid destruction, resonating with audiences worldwide.  

Journalists are invited to explore the “Road of Life” installation on-site and obtain commentary to share this remarkable story with a broader audience.  

• culture
• Kyiv

Vitalii “Sarmat” Kozhokar, a war veteran from Irpin, has found a remarkable way to transform remnants of conflict into symbols of resilience. Kozhokar crafts one-of-a-kind writing pens from shell casings, with notable recipients including Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and prominent journalist Tamar Jacoby.  

Kozhokar’s journey began in 2014 when he first took up arms to defend Ukraine during russia’s incursion into eastern Ukraine. In February 2022, he joined the Volunteer Formation of the Irpin Territorial Community, where, as a platoon commander, he led successful efforts to repel enemy advances on his hometown.  

Today, alongside fellow veteran Volodymyr, Kozhokar creates pens from shell casings recovered from battlefields of the russian-Ukrainian war, as well as relics from the First and Second World Wars. 

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

During the Christmas season a number of events are held in Lviv. On Christmas Eve, December 24, at 12:00, the main Lviv didukh (Christmas decoration) will be installed on Angel Square near the Garrison Church.

From December 25, 2024 to January 12, 2025 the “Great Carol” festival will take place. New this year is the Grand Christmas Tour. Lviv tour guides have prepared a special themed route through the central streets of the city for the holiday season. Residents and visitors are also invited to attend the “Christmas Prayer” performance on the northern side of Rynok Square.

Honoring those who gave their lives for Ukraine: this year a memorial carol will be sung at the Lychakiv cemetery. On the last Saturday of the month (December 28), families of Ukraine’s fallen defenders will gather to pay tribute to those who made it possible to celebrate Christmas at home through their ultimate sacrifice.

• culture
• Lviv