Themes by tag: culture

On August 14, representatives of the Book of Records of Ukraine will officially document the record for the smallest icon in Ukraine. This rare piece will be presented in Kyiv’s National Reserve “Sophia of Kyiv.” The icon has been made by painter Natalia Kushnir, a member of the National Union of Icon Painters of Ukraine.

According to preliminary data, the size of the “Image of Edessa” icon is 4 mm x 5.5 mm. Final measurements with special devices will be made when documenting the record. The icon has been painted with a hair-thin brush on a miniature disk of natural mother-of-pearl with a diameter of 19 mm. The craftswoman had to use an 8x magnifying glass to paint this icon.

Pre-accreditation is required.

• culture
• Kyiv

Journalists are invited to chat with the author of the “Seen” project Yulia Bevzenko and sculptor Yurii Biliavskyi.

“Seen” are two bronze check marks indicating messages that have been read in messengers. Families write to soldiers, soldiers write to their fellow soldiers, children write to their parents who are on the occupied territories, and all together write to the dearest people who are in high-risk regions and cities that have been shelled. This mini sculpture is a tribute to everyone who must wait for two check marks for long hours or even days on end.

Guests:

• Kateryna Prokopenko and wives waiting for the coveted check marks from their husbands,
• Oleksii Erinchak and co-founders of “Sens on Khreshchatyk” bookstore.

Pre-accreditation is required.

For reference: Kateryna Prokopenko is a Ukrainian illustrator, public activist and volunteer. Head of the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families NGO and the Charity Fund for Support of Families of Azovstal Defenders. Wife of Denys Prokopenko, Commander of Azov 12th Special Purpose Brigade.

• culture
• Kyiv

There is a functioning exhibition hall “Aquarium. Amazing Fish” in Kramatorsk, 20 kilometers from the front line. The couple Roman and Iryna founded this exhibition center in 2020. Before the full-scale invasion, they had managed to bring together the largest collection of marine fish in Donetsk region.

Nowadays, visitors can see a wide variety of aquatic life in the Aquarium: from tangs to flagfish. There is also an ocellate river stingray. In addition, the Aquarium sheltered two turtles amidst the war (one was found in the city garden with one leg bitten off, and the other one’s aquarium cracked due to shelling).

As a result of blackouts, both marine and freshwater animals died in the exhibition center. And due to the proximity of “Aquarium. Amazing Fish” to the front line, the founders are thinking about whether they will have to evacuate all the marine inhabitants to safety.

Journalists have the opportunity to communicate with Iryna and Roman online or in person.

• animals
• blackout
• culture

In civilian life, the serviceman with the call sign “Scythian” painted landscapes and trekked through the mountains and steppes of Ukraine. It was for this reason that the man received the call sign “Scythian” in the army. The fighter does not disclose his name for security reasons.

With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the soldier joined the “Khartiia” (Charter) 13th brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. Even in the army he found use for his skills: “Scythian” camouflages weapons and vehicles so that they become invisible to the enemy. The military man is also in charge of the artillery calculation in the brigade. In the breaks between military missions, he continues to paint pictures and experiment with drawing techniques. The landscapes painted by the soldier mostly depict Crimea, because the military man dreams of returning the peninsula under Ukraine’s control.

The serviceman with call sign “Scythian” is on the front lines. The soldier is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

• culture
• military

On August 7, Kyiv will host the inauguration of the “Alley of Unbreakable Cities,” an exhibition organized by Dobrobat. Sculptor Jan-Pavlo Roman, the exhibition’s creator, describes it as a tribute to the remarkable strength and resilience of Ukrainian cities subjected to russian missile attacks over the past two and a half years.

The exhibition will showcase columns, each dedicated to a different Ukrainian city that has endured the aggressor’s strikes. These columns are adorned with fragments of missiles that have struck buildings, transforming deadly remnants into symbols of defiance, resistance, and renewal. The notches on the columns represent the number of missiles that have targeted each city.

This exhibition serves not only as a memorial to the war’s victims but also as an expression of solidarity and gratitude toward cities that have steadfastly resisted occupation and continue to fight back.

For reference: Dobrobat is a volunteer building division focused on the urgent restoration of housing and infrastructure in areas recently liberated from occupation.

• culture
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

The BuhurtSich project is leveraging the medieval sport of buhurt to bolster the psychological well-being of Ukrainian military personnel. Buhurt, a team sport that simulates knightly combat in full armor or protective gear, has proven to be not only visually striking but also therapeutically beneficial, as evidenced by its impact in other countries.

In the U.S., many participants in buhurt have been former military members who credit the sport with helping them manage PTSD, overcome substance abuse, and even stave off suicidal tendencies. Beyond its physical demands, buhurt fosters a strong sense of community.

The BuhurtSich project has been active for over 10 months, attracting 171 participants to its training sessions. Among them, one veteran has even taken up blacksmithing to learn the craft of armor-making.

Journalists are invited to explore and report on this innovative initiative in Kyiv.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• psychological support
• Kyiv

Before the start of the full-scale invasion, 50-year-old theater and film actor Oleksandr Laptii acted in a number of Ukrainian films. In particular, he had roles in The Rising Hawk, The Fight Rules and Cherkasy. Shortly before the start of the big war, Oleksandr received an invitation from S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 casting director to participate in the creation of its sequel. Oleksandr, as a fan of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe, immediately agreed and his appearance was used for a 3D model of one of the game’s key characters. Before February 2022, the team had managed only a few shooting days.

With the beginning of the invasion, the project was put on hold, and in the summer of 2023, Oleksandr joined the army and became a fighter of the 12th Special Operations Brigade Azov, where he received the callsign “Sei.” However, in November of the same year, work on the sequel resumed, and Oleksandr received permission from the command to get back to work on his character.

Oleksandr Laptii is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and in person, upon prior agreement and coordination with the Azov press service.

• culture
• military

From August 9 to 11, the Poltava region will host the Kobzar’s Family Tree festival, a celebration that brings together folk bands, cultural enthusiasts, and kobzars from across Ukraine and its diaspora. The event aims to revive and celebrate the rich heritage of kobza music.

The festival’s founder, Yuriy Fedynsky, was born in the United States but moved to Ukraine 25 years ago, drawn by his ancestral roots. Thirteen years ago, he settled in the village of Kriachkivka in the Poltava region, where he has been dedicated to reviving the traditional kobza art form. Fedynsky established a workshop in the village, where he teaches the craftsmanship and music of various kobza instruments, including the Veresaiev kobza, kobza bandura, pan bandura, mama kobza, and torbana.

Journalists are invited to explore and cover the festival program, offering a deeper insight into this vibrant cultural event.

• culture
• Poltava

From August 9 to 11, the Kolochava village in Zakarpattia Oblast will host a special festival blending ecology and cinema in honor of the late soldier Roman Zhuk. 

Organized by the CHYSTO.DE NGO, this event will feature a diverse lineup of activities including ecological awareness, film education, screenings, and tourism. The Eco Film Festival will engage attendees through hands-on workshops where young participants will create videos about nature and produce stop-motion animations highlighting the impact of waste on wildlife, guided by professional directors. The festival will also offer open-air film screenings, lectures, masterclasses with industry experts, and discussions on pressing environmental issues.

Roman Zhuk, who passionately advocated for environmental preservation, envisioned a grand festival like this one. Before his untimely death in May 2022, Zhuk, who was serving as a scout with the 128th separate mountain assault brigade, and his wife had organized numerous eco-picnics at the Vilshany Reservoir, a location marred by litter. Following his death, more than 20 tons of garbage were removed from the reservoir to uphold Zhuk’s legacy in tribute to his dedication.

For reference: For several years, the CHYSTO.DE team has been effectively cleaning up the Carpathians, participating in environmental protection efforts, and promoting environmental education.

• culture
• dead
• ecology
• military

Before the onset of the full-scale invasion, Maryna Kukharchuk was already establishing her embroidery workshop in Odesa. She meticulously researched historical embroidery patterns, amassing an extensive collection. 

In response to the full-blown war outbreak, Maryna has launched an online embroidery course aimed at preserving Ukrainian cultural identity amid ongoing efforts by occupiers to undermine it. These are the first courses of their kind in Odesa, with sessions beginning on August 10.

• culture
• women
• Odesa