Themes by tag: culture
Before the outbreak of all-out war, Oleksa Melnyk managed a comic book store he co-founded with his wife in Kolomyia, a western Ukrainian city. Alongside his civilian pursuits, he lent his voice to films, TV shows, video games, and advertisements. Despite being called to duty at the onset of the conflict, Melnyk continued to nurture his creative passions even on the front lines. Over a decade ago, the concept for his book took root in his mind. Penned in a trench amid the chaos of war, Melnyk’s dystopian novel, titled “And I Will Tear the Fabric of Being,” was meticulously crafted during brief breaks between military duties. Remarkably, within four months, he completed the manuscript. Currently available for pre-order through Publishing 333, the book’s official release is slated for post-2022.
For reference: For media inquiries, Oleksa Melnyk, stationed at the front, is open to interviews with journalists, both online and offline, with prior arrangement.
The Strategic Communications Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (StratCom of the Armed Forces of Ukraine) invites media representatives to the opening of the exhibition “Putting on a Pixel: Stories of Those Who Chose to Fight” on May 30, and the premiere of the documentary “Resistance and Unity: Writers Explain How Not to Lose the Future” on June 1 at the Book Arsenal 2024.
“Putting on a Pixel: Stories of Those Who Chose to Fight” highlights the stories of servicemen who successfully integrated their civilian skills into their military roles. The exhibition features illustrations by Mariia Kinovych, known for her work with Facebook, MacPaw, and The Economist, based on stories from servicemen. Featured individuals include Taras Ishchyk, a designer who crafted a visual style for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Anastasiia Blyshchyk, a television journalist now serving as a press officer for a combat brigade.
Speakers at the exhibition opening will include Mariia Kinovych, the servicemen featured in the exhibition, the StratCom command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the project coordination team.
The documentary “Resistance and Unity: Writers Explain How Not to Lose the Future” explores how Ukrainian culture resists the aggressor’s hybrid warfare and the impact of the large-scale invasion on Ukrainian literature. The film features insights from prominent writers, philosophers, and artists, including Volodymyr Yermolenko, Serhiy Zhadan, Oksana Zabuzhko, Oleksandr Mykhed, Iryna Tsilyk, and Artem Chekh.
The deadline to apply for media credentials is Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
In order to receive a press pass issued exclusively by the Book Arsenal, all media outlets are encouraged to complete an additional accreditation application by May 27.
For reference: For the first time, StratCom of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is partnering with the XII International Book Arsenal Festival, taking place in Kyiv from May 30 to June 2, 2024.
On May 31, the Center for Civil Liberties and the Kateryna Osadcha Foundation, in collaboration with the XII International Book Arsenal Festival, will host a poetry reading focused on themes of captivity.
“Hold on! I’m holding on!” is more than a slogan—it’s a heartfelt message from prisoners to their families, friends, and the broader community. The poster for the event features an illustration by Serhii Ofitserov, a Kherson resident captured in his parent’s apartment and currently detained at the Lefortovo detention center on false terrorism charges.
The event will showcase works by renowned Ukrainian poets including Serhii Zhadan, Tetiana Vlasova, Tonia Kornuta, Natalka Heiman, Yuliia Musakovska, Anna Malihon, Maryna Ponomarenko, and Oksana Stomina, whose husband remains in captivity. Contributions from prisoners such as Serhii Tsyhipa, founder of the Tavrian Games, Nariman Dzhelialov, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, and Andrii Holubiev, a trainer from Melitopol, will also be featured. Their works will be brought to life by actors Akhtem Seitablaev, Kateryna Vyshneva, and Roman Yasinovskyi, along with human rights activist Oleksandra Matviichuk. The event will be hosted by Kateryna Osadcha.
Journalists wishing to attend must apply for accreditation by May 27.
“Ukrainian Puzzles” is a social enterprise born from the idea of creating puzzles depicting objects destroyed or damaged in the war, such as the Chernihiv Youth Library, the An-225 Mriya, the Mariupol Drama Theater, and Karazin University. Symbolically piecing these puzzles together contributes to the real-life reconstruction efforts, as the net profits from Ukrainian Puzzles are allocated to restore these destroyed cultural monuments.
Founded in April 2022 by Vita Vorobchuk and Yaryna Zhurba, the company operates under the slogan “A puzzle to rebuild Ukraine.” The founders believe these puzzles offer a unique way for people worldwide to participate in Ukraine’s restoration. Additionally, the initiative aims to showcase Ukrainian culture and highlight the devastation inflicted by Russia on Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
Among the best-selling puzzles is the An-225 Mriya, the world’s largest airplane. Even President Volodymyr Zelenskyy owns one. Beyond the initial collection focused on destroyed landmarks, new series are in development, including Ukrainian Art, Discover Ukraine, and Glory to Ukraine.
Journalists interested in the initiative can arrange interviews with the founders in Lutsk, Lviv, Kyiv, or via online communication.
On May 21, the Gongadze Prize awards ceremony will take place in Kyiv, as this is the day when the name of this year’s winner of the award will be announced. As reported, the short list includes journalists Anna Babinets, Olga Rudenko and Tetiana Troshchynska.
– Anna Babinets is an investigative journalist and Head of Slidstvo.Info independent investigative agency, which she founded in 2012. Regional editor of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) network of investigators. In 2014, together with her colleagues, she founded the YanukovychLeaks initiative. Co-author of the Panama Papers international project, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting in 2017.
– Olga Rudenko is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Kyiv Independent. In 2016, she became an editor at the Kyiv Post and was published in a number of leading international publications. In 2021, the new owner of Kyiv Post suspended the media outlet. Therefore, the journalists launched The Kyiv Independent – the leading English-language publication about Ukraine. In 2022, TIME editors recognized Olga Rudenko as a leader of the next generation.
– Tetiana Troshchynska is Director of the Department for Strategic Analysis and Development of Socially Influential Content at Suspilne, Producer of the socio-political talk show “Noviy Vidlik” (New Countdown), a journalist at “Hromadske Radio”, a host at “Culture” Radio. From 2018 to 2024, she was the editor-in-chief of “Hromadske Radio.” She also hosted linear broadcasts and her own programs “Love Does Not Fade”, “40 is the new 20”, “We Have Agreed On Everything” and “Tailed wave.” In addition, Tetiana is developing and conducting training on strategic and crisis communication and conflict management, as well as on the improvement of communication and media skills. Finalist of the Gongadze Prize-2022.
During the event, colleagues and relatives of media workers who died as a result of russian aggression over the past year, will deliver speeches to honor the deceased media workers.
“Pyrig i Batig” band will perform at the awards ceremony.
Prior registration of journalists is mandatory.
The online broadcast will be held on the Facebook pages of the Gongadze Prize, PEN Ukraine, Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, and Ukrainian Pravda, as well as on the Gongadze Prize and Pershyi YouTube channels.
For reference: The Gongadze Prize is a major award for professional journalists in Ukraine. It was founded in 2019 by PEN Ukraine in partnership with the family of George Gongadze, the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School and “Ukrainian Pravda” media outlet.
On May 17, the press opening of the exhibition “Qırım içün/For Crimea” will take place in Kyiv. The exhibition is dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Genocide of the Crimean Tatar People. It will present the works of artists depicting the tragedy of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people.
Prior accreditation is required. Accredited media will receive a confirmation letter regarding their accreditation and further participation details.
For reference: In Ukraine, May 18 marks the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Genocide of the Crimean Tatar People. Under Stalin’s orders, the deportation of Crimean Tatars from Crimea to Central Asia commenced on May 18, 1944. Approximately 200,000 people were forcibly removed in railway freight cars. This inhumane act of deportation resulted in countless casualties. Within days, an entire nation was uprooted from its homeland.
In 2021, Olha Akymova founded an online modeling school for women over 40. The project also worked with mothers of children with disabilities (participation was free for them): the idea was to give an opportunity to women who devote themselves completely to their children to discover themselves. A little later, young girls also joined the project, and it became inclusive. Models with and without disabilities work at the school, and together they participate in all the projects, shows, and performances.
The transformed project held its first classes in February 2022 in Kyiv and Lviv, but they had to stop because the full-scale invasion started. A year later, Olha decided to resume classes. The students of the school study subjects just like in any other modeling school: the basics of modeling, posing techniques, model walking, etc. The school operates in Kyiv and Lviv. Classes take place online and offline. Currently, the school has 32 graduates from Kyiv, Lviv, and Vinnytsia.
The mission of this project is to use the art of modeling to bring Ukrainian society closer to a new tolerant inclusive European barrier-free space with equal opportunities for everyone.
In the near future, journalists will be able to visit a show with the participation of the students of the modeling school in Lviv or a rehearsal in Kyiv.
Myroslav Kobylianskyi, a veteran who enlisted in 2012. Serving since March 2015 in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and subsequently in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in eastern Ukraine, he witnessed the onset of the war in Mariupol. His unit engaged in combat until redeployment, facing the challenges of repelling a full-scale Russian invasion.
Myroslav Kobylianskyi, a native of Kolomyia, has adopted Mariupol as his second home. Even prior to the all-out invasion, Kobylianskyi had a passion for photography, initially snapping shots on his phone before upgrading to a camera. Venturing into aerial photography in 2020, he utilized a drone to compile an extensive archive of Mariupol’s imagery. Although he kept his work private before the eruption of war, following February 24, 2022, his wife encouraged him to assemble a photo book, aptly titled “My Mariupol and the World Around.” Kobylianskyi self-funded the project, supplemented by contributions from friends and patrons, distributing copies to 35 countries. Subsequently, exhibitions featuring his work were held in the United States, Australia, and Ukraine, all stemming from the photo book. Despite his ongoing military service, Kobylianskyi maintains his passion for photography, entertaining the possibility of a future project centered on the Donetsk region’s frontline and surrounding areas.
For reference: Myroslav Kobylianskyi remains stationed at the front line and is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in-person, with prior arrangement.
Kyiv is set to showcase the ‘Combat Dronivka’ vyshyvanka on May 16th. Crafted by Tetiana Zez, this embroidered shirt, a collaborative effort between the World Vyshyvanka Day NGO and the Embroidery in the Clothes of Outstanding Ukrainians project, is tailored exclusively for the 2024 Vyshyvanka Day festivities.
The centerpiece of the ornament features a drone, symbolizing Ukrainian triumph in warfare. Complementing this are symbols such as the Cossack cross (also known as the cross of the Armed Forces of Ukraine), the State Emblem of Ukraine, the trident, and the English inscription “VictoryUA.” The bordering, designed by Olena Pchilka, signifies the emergence of new life from ancient roots.
The primary objective of the ‘Combat Dronivka’ initiative is to raise funds for the UAV strike systems unit (RUBAK) “Seraphim” of the 104th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, along with support for the Dignitas Charitable Fund.
In the evening, a video projection titled “Poetry of Victory” will illuminate the facade of the Kyiv City State Administration, featuring readings of Ukrainian poetry by both classic and contemporary authors, exploring themes of war, suffering, faith, love, and triumph by:
– Ivan Lukavyi, a soldier of the 3rd Brigade;
– Tetiana Vlasova, poet;
– Kateryna Eikhman, volunteer;
– Valerii Vasyliev, a former Russian prisoner of war, a soldier of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
– Myroslav Otkovych, a soldier of the 241st Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
– Akhtem Seitablaev, director, actor, serviceman of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
– Taras Kompanichenko, musician, serviceman of the 241st Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
– Yevhen Nyshchuk, General Director and Artistic Director of the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater, theater and film actor;
– Serhii Korshikov, actor, and serviceman of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
– Maksym Devizorov, actor, serviceman of the 103rd Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
– Vira Lytvynenko, mother of the fallen soldier Vladyslav Lytvynenko;
– Olha Chernilevska, mother of the fallen soldier Illia Chernilevskyi;
– Kateryna Pryimak, volunteer, veteran;
– Kateryna Halushka, volunteer paramedic;
– Olena Prokopenko, mother of missing soldier Dmytro Prokopenko.
On May 17, the team of the All-Ukrainian youth movement “Let’s do it Ukraine” invites media representatives to the official ceremony of transferring the flag of Ukraine, which has been in space, to the Zhytomyr Museum of Cosmonautics. Lina Borozdina, an Odesa resident, took this flag along on a space trip.
As part of the event, a press briefing will be held, during which representatives of the Zhytomyr Museum of Cosmonautics and the leader of “Let’s do it Ukraine” Yuliia Markhel will talk about the uniqueness of this event and its significance for Ukraine. The event will also feature an official ceremony of transferring the flag and a number of attributes that also visited space with Lina to the museum. These include her astronaut badge and a patch from the suit, also with the Ukrainian flag.
Journalists will have the opportunity to watch the exclusive footage of Lina Borozdina’s video address from Las Vegas and listen to the story of her space journey.
The event requires accreditation.
For reference: on January 26, 2024, the company Virgin Galactic sent 4 space tourists, including Lina Borozdina, a native of Odesa, on a suborbital flight. Tourists spent 90 minutes in space, and for a while they experienced weightlessness. Lina Borozdina had been preparing for this flight for 18 years.
