Themes by tag: 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

The idea for ​​the project came to the writer Serhiy Zhadan (now he serves in the “Khartiia” (Charter) 13th brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine) even before the beginning of the full-scale invasion when he worked at the volunteer radio “Tryzub FM” (Trident FM). That is when he realized the importance of communication between the military and civilians, between the rear and the front. Therefore, after the mobilization, Zhadan returned to the idea of ​​a media platform, which will make the voices of the vanguard heard. The first guests of the radio show included: paramedic Yuliia “Taira” Paievska, commander of the “Khartiia” brigade, colonel of NGU Ihor Leskiv and frontman of the band “Pyrig and Batig” Marjan Pyrozhok. Episodes of the traveling show “Radio Khartiia” will be released once a week. Each episode will be broadcast from a new location and with new guests.

The authors of the traveling “Radio Khartiia” project are ready to communicate with journalists, both online and in person, by prior agreement.

• culture
• military

Petro Antyp is an honored artist of Ukraine, who was born in Horlivka, Donetsk region. Now this city is occupied by russia.

Before 2014, the artist had lived and worked in his native town, and his works were displayed at international exhibitions. However, when russia started the war in the east of Ukraine 10 years ago, the man had to leave Donetsk region. He became a displaced person for the second time in 2022, when the full-scale invasion began. Then Petro was forced to leave Kyiv and move to Lutsk, where he took up the project aiming to break the Guinness World Record. Petro is painting a 2,000-square-meter painting called “Cosmogony” in the Korsaks’ Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art. The painting process is a real-time performance. The artist works in a museum, where every visitor can observe his work. The picture itself combines several types of art: painting, graphics, sculpture. And the artist’s intent is to show the process of creation of humanity and predict a possible future. In addition to the “Cosmogony” project, Petro also works on smaller canvases, and donates the proceeds from sales to provide medical support for the Armed Forces.

Petro Antyp is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and in person, by prior agreement.

• culture
• Lutsk

The 13th Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine has launched a photo project titled “Women of the Khartiia,” highlighting the roles of female defenders. Among those featured are Svitlana “Chuma” (Plague) a 25-year-old sanitary instructor with the Khartiia brigade’s drone strike unit, and Iryna “Hera,” a 22-year-old UAV operator. Before the large-scale invasion, Chuma managed a motorcycle parts and equipment store. She has since transitioned to a combat medic role, training soldiers in life-saving techniques on the battlefield. Hera, previously employed in social media management, now operates drones. 

Both Chuma and Hera are stationed on the front lines and are available for interviews with journalists, by prior arrangement.

• culture
• military
• women