Themes by tag: culture

The famous French street artist James Colomina has installed a new work on Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the iconic square in Kyiv. The artwork depicts a child emerging from the walls of the Main Post Office to draw the Ukrainian trident. This child symbolizes a messenger coming to support Ukraine at a site that commemorates Ukrainian heroes.

In total, James planned to have five red sculptures in Kyiv. The other four works should be installed over the next few days. All sculptures are dedicated to the Independence Day of Ukraine, because the artist wants to highlight the reality of the war and express support for the Ukrainian people.

In addition to the sculpture in Ukraine, James Colomina created a mobile piece with the image of putin on a toy tank. This sculpture moves from city to city and country to country symbolizing the destructive effects of war on a global scale. The artist placed putin on a tank in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris without a permit. Then the sculpture was moved to Barcelona, ​​Central Park in New York, and later to Regent’s Park in London. On the anniversary of russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the sculpture was installed in Brussels near the European Parliament. And in August 2023, it was moved to the Villa Borghese park in Rome. The sculpture continues on its way while the war continues.

Journalists can talk to the artist by prior arrangement.

• culture
• Kyiv

The “pomitna” project, developed by the uzahvati team with the Veteran Hub’s concept and supported by the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine and Ukrainian Railways, is set to debut at Kyiv’s railway station.

In this immersive performance, participants are equipped with special headphones and follow a designated route, engaging in a 90-minute auditory journey. The performance features audio stories from 20 women whose lives have been affected by the war, either awaiting their loved ones’ return or reflecting on their experiences. These narratives explore their personal trials, aspirations, and the intersection of civilian and military life.

The uzahvati team plans to present 28 performances by September 15, each accommodating 25 spectators. While attendance is free, prior registration is required.

• culture
• Kyiv

On August 23, Kyiv will unveil “In Memory of Us,” an exhibition showcasing war sketches by Oleksandr Komiakhov. This collection features military-themed artworks, predominantly created by Komiakhov during his service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The exhibition will display approximately fifty graphic pieces, forming a visual report of the current wartime landscape. The sketches include rapid situational depictions—war landscapes, detailed elements of military life presented like user manuals, and images of buildings destroyed by invaders, highlighting the fragility of peace and human existence.

Komiakhov focuses particularly on soldiers, capturing their world with vivid detail: trenches, dugouts, camouflage, weapons, combat gear, and their roles in missions and medical evacuations. 

A dedicated section of the exhibition will feature sketches from expeditions documenting russian crimes against cultural heritage.

A lifelong artist, Oleksandr has focused on military-themed art since the Anti-Terrorist Operation began in 2014.

For reference: Oleksandr Komiakhov is a Ukrainian illustrator from a Kyiv-based artistic family, founder of the Ukrainika project, and co-founder of the Illustrator educational community. His graphic novel, “DAD”, portrays the Revolution of Dignity and the journey from Maidan to the russian-Ukrainian war. Komiakhov also serves as a leading artist at the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity and a member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

• culture
• Kyiv

The “33 years of Ukraine’s Independence Through the Eyes of Donbas” event will be held at the War Museum on August 25 to commemorate the Independence of Ukraine. Opinion leaders closely connected to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions have been invited to participate in the discussion.

In order to understand the events of the last three decades, it is important to examine how the people of Donbas identified themselves in 1991 and how their views have changed over the following years.

Some of the topical issues to be considered during the event include:

1. Prerequisites for the compact settlement in the region and the factors shaping the population’s mentality.

2. History of Wild Fields — Donbas in 1600-1917 and the “novorossiya” myth.

3. Russification of the population of Donbas and the “soviet person” education.

4. Changes in the mentality of the Donbas population and Ukraine’s loss of the patriotic majority that voted for secession from russia in the 1991 referendum.

• culture
• Kyiv

The 11th Vyshyvanka Run will take place on August 25 in Kyiv. Traditionally, the organizers gather professional athletes, amateur runners and children to run distances of 5, 10 and 21.1 km. The annual event is timed to the Independence Day of Ukraine and takes place in different cities and countries. The special feature of the event is the Ukrainian Vyshyvanka pattern on the sports uniform, in which the participants run the distances.

The event is initiated by Oleksandr Kuzin, Ukrainian track and field athlete and marathoner, long-distance running coach, participant of the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Since 2023, the Ukrainian company Creative States has become one of the organizers of the patriotic race.

The run is a charity event. This year, the organizers will help the studio of sports medicine and rehabilitation “Liberi Studio,” which currently rehabilitates military personnel for free. 15% of the registration fees will be used to support the studio.

Combatants can compete free of charge.

For reference: the race is organized by the Ukrainian company Creative States in partnership with Taras Bulba marathon club.

• culture
• Kyiv

On August 23, the War Museum will host the opening of “War: Reverse Perspective” large-scale exhibition project. This exhibition attempts to cover the history of World War II and the russo-Ukrainian wars through artistic reflections. The curators have selected pieces of art with different imagery and unique ideas. But in both cases, they reflect the most tragic periods of Ukrainian history.

The reproject presents the works by 40 contemporary artists from all over Ukraine (Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lutsk, Ivano-Frankivsk) and 39 artists whose works are kept in the Museum’s stock collection. There will be over 150 pieces exhibited in an area of ​​almost 2,000 square meters inside the pedestal of the Motherland Monument.

The presentations are to include speeches by Rostyslav Karandieiev, acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy; Yurii Savchuk, Director of the museum; a representative of Nova Poshta; exhibition curators Yurii Horpynych, Maryna Bohush and Anton Lokhov. The opening will be attended by artists, whose art is presented at the exhibition, and relatives of artists of the 20th century.

Journalists must obtain accreditation.

For reference: The project is implemented with the assistance of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.

• culture
• Kyiv

On August 21, Kyiv will host the IRON EGGS charity veteran sports festival. It will bring civilians and veterans under one team with the purpose of raising funds for an OSSUR sports prosthesis for an active serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Dych (“Dalnoboi”). The cost of the prosthesis is UAH 450,000.

The program of the festival includes: a 7-km, an 18-km and a 35-km march; open golf lessons; 1,000-meter swimming race in open water; open football practice; archery; open pickleball lessons; petanque training and competitions; open sitting volleyball training.

Speakers of the festival:

• Vadym Svyrydenko — Presidential Commissioner on Rehabilitation of Combatants.;
• Volodymyr Nechyporuk – producer of the IRON EGGS festival;
• Valery Dych (“Dalnoboi”);
• Serhii Khrapko – a veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, whose left leg and left arm were amputated; a participant in 120-km and 18-km walking marathons.
• Alla Borysenko (“Chonhar”) – head of the Svyatenko Rehabilitation Clinic;
• Olha Benda – captain of the Ukrainian national team in amputee football;
• Vlasta Shovkovska – President of the All-Ukrainian Federation “Healthy Lifestyle” NGO.

Journalists are required to obtain accreditation for the festival.

For reference: the festival is organized by the National Council for the Sports Rehabilitation of Defenders of Ukraine and YANKO Charitable Foundation with the assistance of the Kozyn Village Council.

• culture
• Kyiv

For the fifth year running, the “Watch Ukrainian!” Association will present the Film Bouquet festival as part of the high-profile Bouquet Kyiv Stage art festival. This year’s Film Bouquet maintains its focus on the “Culture vs. War” theme, underscoring the Ukrainian struggle to preserve their values and way of life.

On August 16, the festival will feature a pre-premiere screening of “Da Vinci,” a film that chronicles the life and valor of Dmytro Kotsiubaylo, a Ukrainian volunteer, Hero of Ukraine, and commander of the Da Vinci Wolves battalion. Kotsiubaylo, who fell in battle on March 7, 2023, near Bakhmut, is celebrated for his heroism.

The following day, August 17, will see the premiere of the documentary “Culture vs. War,” an exposé on the current war through the lens of prominent artists who have joined the Armed Forces and cultural figures actively engaged in volunteer efforts. This film had its international debut on February 24, 2024.

Additionally, on August 17, the festival will offer a pre-premiere screening of “Perun’s Flute,” which features raw footage from the combat zone.

The Culture vs. War project will also host two panel discussions on August 16 and 17. Topics include “Cultural Genocide: From Crime to Punishment” and “Cultural Diplomacy: Paths to Development,” featuring notable cultural figures, artists, and government officials.

Journalists interested in covering the event should apply for accreditation to access the festival program and activities.

• culture
• Kyiv

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