Themes by tag: culture
Olha Rukavishnikova is a violinist and athlete. The veteran began studying music at the age of four, and by eighth grade she had taken up conducting. She performed, among other venues, at the Mykolaiv Philharmonic and the Grand Hall of the Kyiv Conservatory. Olha also dedicated 10 years of her life to sports, which earned her the military call sign “Karatyst”.
At 8 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2022, Olha was already standing in line at her local military enlistment office. By the evening, she had received a weapon, and the following day she used it against the enemy for the first time. Olha served in the ranks of Ukraine’s Armed Forces for four years. Her primary weapon was the RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher, although she is also trained to operate a sniper rifle, an automatic grenade launcher, a machine gun and a mortar.
During one combat mission, an explosion threw Olha several metres through the air, and one of the fragments, according to the servicewoman, fractured a cervical vertebra. As a result of the same injury, she lost her left eye.
Olha returned to her unit relatively quickly and continued her service. However, she recently left the military due to health reasons. She is now gradually readjusting to civilian life.
Olha Rukavishnikova is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.
On June 21, Kyiv will hold the KyivPride March—a peaceful march for equal rights for all, regardless of who they love or who they are. This year’s KyivPride March marks a jubilee, being the tenth one. The main demand of KyivPride this year is the recognition of LGBTIQ+ families, an issue that has become critically urgent for many during the full-scale war.
Right now, a new Civil Code is being adopted in Ukraine—and instead of finally recognizing same-sex families, it introduces new forms of discrimination.
Therefore, the KyivPride March will put forward four demands to the authorities:
- Reject the draft of the new Civil Code, as it contains discriminatory provisions and contradicts Ukraine’s European integration commitments. Instead, ensure the implementation of transformation roadmaps involving LGBTIQ+ organizations as full partners in the reform process.
- Recognize civil partnerships for both military personnel and civilians as a step toward marriage equality, alignment of legislation with European standards, and the fulfillment of Ukraine’s obligations under the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.
- Introduce fair criminal liability for hate crimes, specifically homophobia and transphobia, by amending the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
- Implement legal gender recognition based on self-determination, without mandatory hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or psychiatric diagnosis.
This year, the march will feature several organized blocs, including a transgender bloc, a KharkivPride bloc, and a bloc of LGBTIQ+ military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Invited guests include diplomats, ambassadors, representatives of international missions, and lawmakers. The KyivPride March will be the culmination of Pride Month, which has already gathered thousands of people at KyivPride Park.
The march will move through the center of the capital. At the final stop, the community will enjoy a dance performance by the ballroom community.
Media accreditation is required to attend the event.
Background: KyivPride is a non-governmental organization working to promote equality and human rights in Ukraine, and to strengthen the impact of civil society and the LGBTIQ+ community on the country’s path toward European Union integration.
On June 21, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War (Museum of the War) will host a meeting with released prisoner of war Mykyta Markitanov, poet Oksana Stomina—the wife of Dmytro Paskalov, a released defender of Azovstal—and artist Maryna Sochenko, who depicts prisoners of war in her works.
Despite health issues, Mykyta volunteered for the war in July 2023. He fought in the Avdiivka direction and was captured in February 2024. According to the soldier, he and other POWs were “sold” to Chechnya for forced labor. Mykyta Markitanov spent nearly two years in captivity, finally returning home on April 24, 2026. During his time in russian dungeons, he wrote a series of poems dedicated to the war and captivity, which he managed to smuggle out by hiding them in his shoes.
Oksana Stomina is a poet and public activist from Mariupol, as well as the author and editor of numerous poetry collections about the war, which have been translated into German, Italian, English, Spanish, Lithuanian, and Czech. In May 2026, her husband Dmytro Paskalov, an Azovstal defender who had been held in captivity since May 2022, was finally released from russian captivity.
Maryna Sochenko is a well-known artist, volunteer, and Honored Artist of Ukraine, whose son Lyubomyr volunteered for the front line and was killed in action. She created a gallery of works, dedicating many of them to her sons—the defenders of Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the war, she has been active as a volunteer. She drew wounded soldiers in ATO hospitals and visited the front lines several times, bringing back more than a hundred portraits of Ukrainian heroes and defenders. Among her works, those dedicated to the captured defenders of Azovstal stand out significantly.
At the meeting, Mykyta Markitanov and his family will share the story of his life and military journey, and read his poetry written in captivity. Oksana Stomina and Maryna Sochenko will speak about their creative experiences inspired by the stories of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Lviv will host the “Chamber Studies of Lviv” cinema residency for teenagers aged 14–17 from June 24–30, led by film director Hala Koziutynska.
Participants will master the basics of film directing, cinematography, editing, and sound design, while also learning how to create video essays and video poetry.
The teenagers will explore Lviv’s cultural and lesser-known locations through the lens of a camera and their own perspective on reality. They will create their own sound library of the city, concluding the residency with a final public screening of their works followed by a discussion.
Participation is free of charge.
Background: Funded with UK aid from the UK government (British Embassy Kyiv) and implemented by the “Voices of Children” Foundation within the PULSE National Consortium, coordinated by the “Right to Protection” Charitable Foundation. The UK government’s support for this project in Ukraine is provided through the SHARP component of its Humanitarian Assistance, Recovery, and Protection Programme.
This event aims to raise awareness of traditional music and the culture of Ukrainian folk dance. It seeks to bring together a highly diverse audience, ranging from enthusiasts and historical reenactors to anyone interested in Ukrainian cultural heritage. “TantsKultura” establishes a new tradition of gatherings centered around folk dance. It also aims to build upon the previous efforts of colleagues (primarily the “Ivan Honchar Museum”), who organized major dance events until 2019.
The “TantsKultura” stage will feature performances by:
- The Children’s Brass Capella from the Vinnytsia region,
- “Silska Muzyka” (Rivne),
- “DvaTry” (Kyiv),
- “ShchukaRyba” (Kyiv),
- “Oreli” (Kyiv),
- A special collaboration with the FusionJam formation.
The program includes:
- Dance masterclasses focusing on local Ukrainian traditions;
- Panel discussions featuring researchers, practitioners in the field, and cultural influencers;
- A children’s zone with interactive programs, traditional games, and workshops.
A donation drive and a charity auction will be held as part of the festival. All proceeds will be donated to meet the current needs of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
For reference: The “KYT” Performance Pavilion became a partner of the event, providing its venue free of charge to support the development and promotion of traditional Ukrainian culture.
For the second consecutive year, Odesa will host “On the Wave” (Na Khvyli) — a large-scale sports competition for veterans and active-duty servicemembers. For many participants, these games will serve as an entry point into adaptive sports, including wheelchair basketball, archery, boccia, and indoor rowing.
The event’s primary mission is to bring defenders together for a few summer days within a supportive community, providing effective tools for physical rehabilitation, psychological decompression, and reintegration into active civilian life.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with representatives from the Ministry for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, the Odesa Regional State Administration, leadership from the “Free Warriors” NGO, and the Invictus Games team in Ukraine. Media representatives will also have designated slots to interview veterans overcoming the consequences of severe battlefield injuries.
The event will take place on June 21 in Odesa. Due to security protocols, the precise venue and schedule will be provided solely to accredited media outlets. Media accreditation remains open until June 19.
Background Information: The event is organized by the Ministry for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and the “Free Warriors” Non-Governmental Organization, in cooperation with the Odesa Regional State Administration, under the framework of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.
The Stratcom Ukraine Center for Strategic Communications (the “Invictus Games” project in Ukraine) joins as a co-organizer under the regional initiative “Invictus Day in Your City”, supported by the Invictus Games Foundation.
KyivPride Park, a charity and educational event that traditionally marks the beginning of the capital’s Pride celebrations ahead of the Equality March, will take place in Kyiv on June 14. The event will run throughout the day. Admission will be granted in exchange for a voluntary donation to UNITED24’s fundraising campaign for air defence. A community advocating for its own rights also contributes daily to the security of the entire country, making support a two-way effort.
This year, the organisers of KyivPride Park, the NGO KyivPride, have been joined by partners including the NGO Ukrainian LGBT+ Military and Veterans for Equal Rights, KharkivPride, PinchukArtCentre, the Sunny Bunny queer film festival, the Linoleum animation festival, the Memorial NGO, Underwood Brewery and others.
KyivPride Park will feature several spaces operating simultaneously, offering a range of activities for visitors. The programme will include DJ sets, among them Past Curfew with a mix of house, trance and techno, as well as an acoustic performance by Okolytsia.
Two panel discussions will also take place. The first, titled “How to Create Vibrant Queer Communications”, will bring together creators of LGBTIQ+ YouTube channels, Instagram pages and magazines to discuss how to speak about queerness on social media and how to deal with online hate. The second discussion, “Why Transgender Identity Is Not a Way to Avoid Military Service?”, will be moderated by Leon, a transgender man and blogger. Panellists will include Emilia, a transgender veteran, and endocrinologist Ilona Khanko, author of a book about gender transition in Ukraine.
The cinema area will screen animated films from the Linoleum festival and short films presented by Sunny Bunny, followed by discussions where audiences will be able to ask questions to directors.
KyivPride will create a memorial space together with the Memorial NGO, where visitors will be able to remember those who are no longer with them and tie ribbons bearing their names. Psychologists will also be available nearby for those who need immediate support.
The theme of those who serve will run throughout the entire day. LGBT military personnel are active partners of the event. Their presence will be reflected in various parts of the programme, from discussions about military service to a dedicated area where field porridge will be offered in exchange for donations and merchandise supporting veterans will be available.
Background: This year’s KyivPride will take place across two key dates. KyivPride Park, the charity and educational event, will be held on June 14. On June 21, the KyivPride March will take place in the centre of the capital in support of equal rights for all citizens regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
About the organisers: KyivPride is a non-governmental organisation working to advance equality and human rights in Ukraine and to strengthen the influence of civil society and the LGBTIQ+ community in the country’s path towards integration into the European Union.
Media accreditation is now open for the 3rd round of the 2026 Ukrainian Amputee Football Super League, which will take place in Lviv. The event will be held on June 13–14.
Reference: Amputee football is a modification of association football designed for players with an amputated limb or a limb function impairment.
The “Sports Ambassadors 3.0” project is an educational initiative designed for male and female veterans seeking opportunities for personal and professional advancement. The program officially launched in May.
Over the course of two months, participants will develop their leadership and communication skills, learn to design and implement social initiatives, engage effectively with local communities, and familiarize themselves with adaptive sports. The entire curriculum is guided by professional mentors and experts in project management, leadership, and physical rehabilitation.
During the practical phase of the training, participants will apply their newly acquired knowledge to develop individual projects tailored to their home communities. These projects will focus on social initiatives, adaptive sports, and supporting fellow veterans in transitioning back to civilian life.
Program Timeline:
- May–June: Online training modules and mentorship support;
- June: In-person training and practical workshops lasting up to 5 days.
Following the evaluation of the program, up to seven of the most promising projects will receive micro-grant funding from the Razom Fund.
Members of the press are welcome to cover the in-person training sessions taking place in June, subject to prior arrangement.
Reference: The “Sports Ambassadors 3.0” project is organized by the Center for Strategic Communications (StratCom Ukraine) in collaboration with Invictus Games Ukraine, with the generous support of the Razom Fund.
Five Ukrainian veterans with amputations and severe combat injuries will compete in the international Oceanman Lago d’Orta swimming event in Italy. On June 13 and 14, they will take on 2-kilometer and 5.5-kilometer open-water distances alongside participants from around the world, without a separate category or special conditions. An open-water training session will take place in Kyiv region on June 6.
The team’s preparation for the competition is led by Serhii Kostenko, founder and head coach of the K-TEAM Swimming Club and co-founder of the NGO Impossible Is Possible, which promotes adaptive and veteran sports in Ukraine. According to the coach, open-water swimming presents a completely different challenge from training in a pool.
The training program focuses on balance, stroke technique, breathing, navigation, and interaction with the water environment. In addition to physical preparation, psychological adaptation is a key component.
During training sessions, the veterans learn to work as a team, navigate using buoys, manage their energy, and cope with the stress factors typical of open-water competitions.
Journalists can attend and cover the open-water training session by prior arrangement.
Background: The IRON WARRIORS project is implemented by the YANKO Fund charitable foundation in partnership with IRON WARRIORS SPORT HUB and FlyPoint, which also serves as the project’s logistics partner.
