Themes by tag: culture

Oleksii Botsula is originally from the village of Marianivka in Kyiv region. From 2015 to 2018, he fought in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including at the Svitlodarsk salient. After completing his contract, he returned to civilian life.

Following the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, Oleksii joined one of the brigades and took part in battles in Kyiv region. He later served in various directions. In September 2023, he was wounded during a combat mission in Kharkiv region.

His rehabilitation and treatment lasted about a year. During this time, he applied for a grant from the Ukrainian Veterans Fund, and his project “Farmer Shepherd” (Ferma Pastukha) was selected as a winner. The project involves the reconstruction and modernization of a pig farm, including the renovation of facilities, process automation, and expansion of production capacity.

Currently, the farm houses around 200 pigs. Oleksii is developing the production of canned and smoked products, and provides part of his output free of charge to fellow soldiers on the front line.

Journalists can arrange interviews with Oleksii Botsula both online and offline in Kyiv region by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Media representatives are invited on April 6 to attend the official presentation of the national program “Journey to Yourself. Paths to Recovery,” implemented by the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine with the support of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine in cooperation with Brand Ukraine.

The program is aimed at supporting the emotional and psycho-physical recovery of Ukrainians through travel across the country, engagement with natural and cultural practices, and exploration of personal roots and heritage.

“Journey to Yourself. Paths to Recovery” includes the development of a digital tourism platform featuring a map of “places of power,” a national information campaign, training programs for tourism sector stakeholders, and the attraction of international technical assistance to support local businesses and communities.

The presentation will take place on the historic hills of Vytachiv, a site associated with the origins of the Trypillian culture.

Speakers:

• Alona Shkrum, First Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine
• Nataliia Tabaka, Head of the State Agency for Tourism Development
• Mariia Lypiatska, Head of Brand Ukraine
• Oleksandr Sobko, owner of the “Vytach” bakery

Journalists can review the full program in advance. Accreditation is required. Transportation from Kyiv will be provided.

• culture
• psychological support
• Kyiv

On April 5, journalists are invited to attend the Ukrainian premiere of “SANCTUS VERITAS” performed by the National Academic Symphonic Band of Ukraine. The concert will be conducted by Honored Artist of Ukraine Olha Rukavishnikova and conductor Ivan Stetskyi, featuring works by European composers.

For Olha Rukavishnikova, this performance marks a return to civilian life after four years of service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She joined Ukraine’s Defense Forces on February 24, 2022. Her primary weapon was an RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launcher, and she is also trained to operate a sniper rifle, automatic grenade launcher, machine gun, and mortar.

During one of the combat missions, she was thrown several meters by a blast wave, and a fragment fractured her cervical spine. As a result of the same injury, she lost her left eye.

Background: The first part of “SANCTUS VERITAS” will feature the dramatic biblical work Adam and Eve by Hugo Chinesta and the large-scale symphonic piece Noah’s Ark by Óscar Navarro. The second part will include the deeply emotional symphonic poem Abraham by Ferrer Ferran and Byzantine Mosaics by Franco Cesarini — a musical symbol of spiritual grandeur and the light associated with the birth of Christ.
Journalists can review the full program in advance. Accreditation is required.
Interviews with Olha Rukavishnikova are available upon request.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• women
• Kyiv

Veterans Theatre invites audiences to the Festival of First Plays in Lviv, which will take place on April 4–5.

The Festival of First Plays will feature stories that have never been performed on stage before. Over the course of two days, Lviv residents will hear personal experiences of Ukraine’s defenders. The plays were created by participants as part of a special course by the Veterans Theatre in Lviv, curated by Alina Sarnatska.

The festival will present plays by Alina Sarnatska, Andrii Teraz, Anna Ivantsyk, Vlad Ternopol, Heorhii Sobolevskyi, Dmytro Ilin, Zoriana Hrebeniukova-Kobenko, Mariana Chernomyrhyn, Mykhailo Taraban, Olha Voroniuk, Orysia Hryhorenko, and Yuliia Romaniuk.

As part of the festival, a discussion titled “How/when/for whom should plays about war be written and staged?” will also take place. Participants include Ihor Bilyts, chief director of the Maria Zankovetska Theatre, writer and playwright Natalkа Vorozhbyt, co-founder of the Veterans Theatre Maksym Kurochkin, and INDEX director Sasha Dovzhyk.

The project is implemented in partnership with INDEX: Institute for Documentation and Exchange and with the support of Razom for Ukraine.

Background: Veterans Theatre is a social and artistic project created in cooperation with the Public Relations Service of the Territorial Defense Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (TRO Media) and the Theatre of Playwrights.

The idea of the Veterans Theatre emerged in response to the urgent need for therapeutic support for veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war returning from the front. The project combines art therapy and theatre. It is a platform for creativity, recovery, and dialogue, where through драматургія and acting practice participants learn to speak about their experiences and transform them into art. It brings together veterans, their families, and civilians who have lived through traumatic experiences.

• culture
• Lviv

Skeiron has digitally documented damage to the Bernardine Monastery complex in Lviv. This was necessary to record the condition of the site immediately after the strike, as some information could have been lost during cleanup and restoration.

Skeiron was founded in Lviv in 2016 by a group of enthusiasts. Its main goal is to preserve and promote cultural heritage through digitalization. The team documents both preserved and destroyed landmarks with the aim of supporting their future restoration.

Over the years, the team has digitized and reconstructed more than 270 sites, including those destroyed during the war. Among them is a 3D reconstruction of the Mariupol Drama Theatre destroyed by Russia. The largest sites digitized include Chernivtsi University and the Odesa Opera House.

Journalists can arrange interviews with Skeiron representatives both online and offline in Lviv by prior arrangement.

• culture
• russian crimes
• Lviv

On April 4, Khartia Hub, together with Gretta Tupchii — a student of masters from the Shanghai-based 9 Clouds studio and the spouse of a servicemember — will launch a two-month Tai Chi course in Kyiv for defenders and their families.

Tai Chi is a Chinese system of slow movements that combines physical exercise, breathing, and concentration. It is designed to promote longevity and support personal development. Participation is free for servicemembers and their families, while others are welcome to join for a monthly donation starting from UAH 500.

Journalists are welcome to attend the sessions and speak with representatives of Khartia Hub.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, historian Leonid Marushchak and the team of the NGO “Museum Open for Renovation” have been working to rescue historical artefacts and Ukrainian artworks. The volunteers understood that russian forces would destroy or loot museum collections.

Since 2022, the team has been evacuating works of art, including pieces by Alla Horska, Ivan Aivazovsky, Arkhip Kuindzhi, and Tetiana Yablonska. They have also transported Polovtsian stone statues — ancient sculptures created by nomadic peoples — to safe locations. Each mission involves coordinated efforts between volunteers, government representatives, and the military.

Journalists can arrange interviews with Leonid Marushchak and the team of the NGO “Museum Open for Renovation” both online and offline in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

• culture
• volunteers
• Kyiv

On April 2–3, Kyiv will host the FORUM-PRACTICUM: ADAPTIVE AND INCLUSIVE, an event aimed at supporting veterans in rehabilitation, recovery, and overcoming stress. The initiative also seeks to build a community focused on support and the exchange of experience among centers and organizations that work with or plan to support veterans.

The event is intended for fitness trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, volunteers, and active individuals from various fields who are interested in working with veterans and people with disabilities.

Journalists are required to register in advance.

• culture
• Kyiv

Media representatives are invited to cover the Final Four of the Ukrainian Amputee Football Cup. Journalists will have the opportunity to speak with representatives of the “League of the Mighty” project, players from the four finalist teams, their coaches, as well as match officials. The event will take place in Kyiv.

The teams reaching the final stage are Bartka, Vinnytsia AMP, Pokrova AMP, and Shakhtar Stalevi.

Media accreditation is required to attend the event.

Background: The “League of the Mighty” project was launched by the Ukrainian Association of Football in 2024 to engage people with limb amputations and limb impairments in the world’s most popular sport.

• casualties
• culture
• Kyiv

Participants: 

– Alina Frolova, co-founder of Media Center Ukraine, Deputy Chair of the Board of the Center for Defense Strategies;

– Otar Dovzhenko, Ukrainian journalist and media critic. Creative Director of the Lviv Media Forum, Chair of the Independent Media Council. Co-editor of the “DovgyiPes” media newsletter. Book editor;

– Ihor Solovey, Head of the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security.

Topics for discussion: 

– Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian disinformation; 

– Key takeaways from the book and benefits for the international community

• culture
• Kyiv