Themes by tag: culture

The National Museum of the History of Ukraine in WW2, in collaboration with curator Maryna Lukianova, is unveiling an extraordinary exhibition of Ukrainian Christmas tree decorations spanning various historical periods. The exhibit opens on December 4 in Kyiv, offering visitors a rare glimpse into a rich collection of authentic artifacts.

The tradition of decorating Christmas trees in Ukraine dates back to the 19th century, intertwining European influences with a distinctly Ukrainian character. Early decorations included sweets, nuts, candies, candles, and handmade ornaments crafted from cardboard, paper, and glass.

Following the October Revolution and the establishment of Soviet rule, Christmas celebrations—and the decorated tree itself—were suppressed. Viewed as religious or bourgeois, the holiday was banned until 1935, when the New Year’s holiday was officially introduced. This marked a resurgence in ornament production, with artisanal workshops flourishing across the region.

The exhibition will feature an array of rare decorations, including early 19th- and 20th-century ornaments, toys from World War I, and the first glass figurines. Visitors can also explore diverse materials such as glass, cotton, wire, cardboard, and polyethylene terephthalate film, representing different eras, countries, and continents.

• culture
• Kyiv

On December 2, Kyiv will host the presentation of the book “Prykhystok: A Startup That Saved a Million Lives” by MP Halyna Yanchenko.

The book details the eponymous initiative launched on the first day of the full-scale invasion, which helped over a million Ukrainian refugees find free temporary shelter. It is a poignant collection of the project team’s memories of the resilience, solidarity and innovation that Ukrainians demonstrated during the darkest days of the invasion.

The event will feature real-life heroes from the book – Ukrainians who endured the occupation and managed to relocate and start new lives in other cities, thanks in part to the Prykhystok (Shelter) initiative. They will tell their personal stories.

Program highlights:

– A conversation with the author about the creation of the initiative and the book.

– Stories from the book’s protagonists who were forced to find a new home and found shelter.

– A discussion about the power of social innovation and the ability of Ukrainians to unite for mutual aid.

– A book signing with the author.

Registration is required for this event.

• casualties
• culture
• occupation
• Kyiv

Journalists are invited to attend the 33rd session of sound therapy and a master class on physical and SPA rehabilitation by Serhii Kapralov. The event will be held in Kyiv on 1 December.

This project is free for veterans, military personnel, their families and internally displaced persons. It combines several approaches: physical rehabilitation, sound healing and art therapy.

The project is implemented by Serhii Kapralov (Ph.D. in Physical Education and Sports, author of leading rehabilitation methods for severe injuries, and soldier of the 241st Territorial Defence Brigade) in collaboration with musicians and sound healing specialists – Oleksandr Vlasenko, Artur Nikolenko and Yevhen Rudychev. The initiative was made possible thanks to the patronage of Inessa Kravchenko (founder of the informal educational platform “Liudyna Dyvo Svit”, publisher of the “Wheel of Life” magazine and co-owner of Stan Invest Holding).

Special surprise: The thousandth visitor will receive a gift and all participants will have a chance to participate in a prize draw.

Registration is required to attend the event.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

The “Instrument” by Zhanna Kadyrova is a unique installation at the Lviv railway station, featuring a pipe organ crafted from fragments of exploded russian missiles that fell in the Kyiv oblast.

“Instrument” is a series of musical performances by the project’s creator, artist Zhanna Kadyrova. She has invited Ukrainian and international musicians to perform weekly original programs on this unique organ.

Concert schedule:

November 30 / December 1, 2024 – Kateryna Hazho, Uzhhorod

December 6 / 7, 2024 – Bohdan Demianenko, Kyiv

December 13 / 14, 2024 – Insomnia Taxxi (Iryna Novikova), Kyiv-Gothenburg

December 20/21, 2024 – Sandor Schreiner, Olha Chundak, Uzhhorod

December 27-28, 2024 – Ivan Sarajishvili, Georgia-Norway

January 3 / 4, 2025 – Lviv Organ Hall

January 10-11, 2025 – Nils Henrik, Norway

January 17 / 18, 2025 – Oleksii Shmurak (Kyiv), Vitalii Dvorovyi (Lviv)

• culture
• russian crimes
• Lviv

The “Blyzki” initiative provides a space where relatives of service members and veterans can receive career development support: identifying growth directions, completing training, creating updated resumes, and preparing for job interviews. In the process, participants can connect with a community of peers who understand their experiences.

Participants can receive 2-3 months of training in a new profession, learn English, get information on starting their own business, participate in creative workshops, sports classes, and sessions for physical and mental recovery. All activities will take place offline, as the organizers believe this will foster closer relationships and better communication.

The project was launched in early 2024, first in Kyiv and later in Lviv. It welcomes partners, close relatives of military personnel, veterans, and service members in recovery.

Journalists can cover the project in Kyiv or Lviv by prior arrangement.

Background:

The “Blyzki” initiative was created by Maryna Baturynets, founder of the Bazilik School of Communications. It was inspired by a joint project between Bazilik and Veteran Hub — a communication course for military families. This course highlighted the need for education and, more importantly, interaction with people who share similar experiences.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv
• Lviv

Andrii Smyk, a professional military sniper, dedicated many years to service, taking part in combat operations from 2014 to 2020. He rejoined active duty shortly before the full-scale invasion, defending the Kyiv oblast before moving to protect the Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts. During his service, he suffered several injuries and concussions. In 2023, he returned to his hometown of Irpin for health reasons.

Inspired by childhood memories of his grandfather Mykola, a skilled woodworker, Andrii founded the eco-friendly workshop “Funny Owls” in the summer of 2024.

Together with his team, they create kitchenware, children’s toys, phone stands, candle holders, puzzles, alphabet sets and custom-made items. Discounts are available on all orders for military personnel and their families.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Oleksandr Laptii, a 50-year-old Ukrainian actor known for his roles in films like The Rising Hawk, The Fight Rules, and Cherkasy, has taken on a prominent role in the sequel to the cult video game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. A longtime fan of the game series, Laptii was invited by the casting team to contribute as a model for 3D animation, bringing one of the game’s central characters to life. Filming began in early 2022 but was abruptly halted after just a few days due to russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In the summer of 2023, Laptii joined the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade, where he earned the call sign “Sei.” Despite his new military role, he received permission from his commanders later that year to resume his work on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Production restarted in November, and Laptii rejoined the team to complete his contributions.

On November 20, after a 15-year wait, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 was finally released to fans worldwide.

Laptii is available for interviews, both online and in person, with prior approval from Azov’s press service.

• culture
• military

On November 22, the Media Center of Ukraine will hold a press conference “Map of Valor and Memories: Honoring Ukraine’s Heritage”

Ukraine lacks prominent landmarks of national heroism and memorials marking significant achievements. Moreover, these historical sites remain largely unknown, as the roads leading to them are often not even paved.

The heroization of a nation and its people is an essential part of social development and education of younger generations. To address this need, NGO Ukraine Incognita, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has created a comprehensive map of valor and memory. The initiative also includes the installation of informative stands at key locations to preserve and celebrate this heritage.

Participants: 

 – Roman Malenkov, Chairman of the Board, “Ukraine Incognita” NGO; 

 – Maksym Plakhotnyi, Executive Director of “Ukraine Incognita” NGO; 

 – Andriy Yarovyi, Technical Director of “Ukraine Incognita” NGO; 

 – Andrii Kobylianskyi, historian (online)

• culture
• Kyiv

The media are invited to participate in the events of the exhibition “We Cannot Be Defeated” dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Orange Revolution. The exhibition will be opened on November 22 in Kyiv with the participation of the third President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko.

On November 22, there will also be a discussion with key figures of these historic events: the third President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko, the “Voice of Maidan”, the People’s Artist of Ukraine Yevhen Nyshchuk, the historian Oleksandr Zinchenko, the singer Maria Burmaka, and the General Director of the Maidan Museum Ihor Poshyvailo.

The discussion will take place in the main hall of the Ukrainian House, within the thematic exhibition space. Visitors will have the opportunity to relive the most vivid moments of the Orange Revolution, see artifacts from the Maidan Museum collection, and share their own thoughts and memories.

On November 23, journalists are invited to a public interview with Viktor Yushchenko called “A Conversation of Generations”. This event will highlight the perspectives of different generations on one of the key events in Ukraine’s modern history, the Orange Revolution.

Accreditation is required for this event. 

Background:

The Orange Revolution was a series of protests by Ukrainian citizens sparked by massive fraud in the 2004 presidential election that favored government-backed candidate Viktor Yanukovych. The events were named after the color used by supporters of presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko and the opposition party Our Ukraine. (The Orange Revolution began in November 2004).

• culture
• Kyiv

Before the full-scale invasion began, Liudmyla Porfilenko lived in Kurakhove, Donetsk oblast, worked as a nurse at a local school, and in her spare time made toys and jewelry in a small workshop she set up in her apartment. Liudmyla’s husband was a doctor, and together they raised three children.

On February 24, 2022, Liudmyla could not believe that a great war had begun. But by the third week of the invasion, her family decided to evacuate. They packed their children, two dogs, and canisters of gasoline into the car. They took only a change of clothes and some of Liudmyla’s craft supplies. The family made their way to the Volyn oblast, choosing it on the advice of acquaintances who had evacuated from Donetsk oblast in 2014.

Later her parents were also evacuated to Volyn. Liudmyla’s husband found a job in a local hospital, and she revived her small studio. She starts working early in the morning, sewing toys and making jewelry from precious stones. She sells her creations on social media or through acquaintances. Some of her handmade dolls have traveled the world, with orders from France, Germany and England. Liudmyla also holds wool felting workshops for children.

You can speak with Liudmyla either online or in person by appointment.

Background: Kurakhove is currently under heavy fighting, and most of the population has fled the city.

• culture
• women
• Lutsk
• evacuation