Themes by tag: culture
Before the full-scale invasion began, Liudmyla Porfilenko lived in Kurakhove, Donetsk oblast, worked as a nurse at a local school, and in her spare time made toys and jewelry in a small workshop she set up in her apartment. Liudmyla’s husband was a doctor, and together they raised three children.
On February 24, 2022, Liudmyla could not believe that a great war had begun. But by the third week of the invasion, her family decided to evacuate. They packed their children, two dogs, and canisters of gasoline into the car. They took only a change of clothes and some of Liudmyla’s craft supplies. The family made their way to the Volyn oblast, choosing it on the advice of acquaintances who had evacuated from Donetsk oblast in 2014.
Later her parents were also evacuated to Volyn. Liudmyla’s husband found a job in a local hospital, and she revived her small studio. She starts working early in the morning, sewing toys and making jewelry from precious stones. She sells her creations on social media or through acquaintances. Some of her handmade dolls have traveled the world, with orders from France, Germany and England. Liudmyla also holds wool felting workshops for children.
You can speak with Liudmyla either online or in person by appointment.
Background: Kurakhove is currently under heavy fighting, and most of the population has fled the city.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Orange Revolution and the 11th anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity. The program includes exhibitions, thematic tours, public discussions, and a meeting series titled Evolution of Revolutions. A key highlight is the academic forum Revolution of Dignity: Towards History Dates – 2024, hosted by the National Memorial Complex of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes – Museum of the Revolution of Dignity.
On November 21, an interfaith prayer for Ukraine and its freedom fighters will be held, followed by the ringing of the Dignity Bell and a ceremony to honor fallen defenders. Flowers will be laid, and candles will be lit at the portraits of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.
The events will be broadcast live on the Maidan Museum’s Facebook page.
The initiative is organized by the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity and Kyiv Three Saints Theological Seminary of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, with support from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyiv City State Administration, and the NGO Families of the Heavenly Hundred.
For reference: The Dignity and Freedom Day commemorates the anniversaries of two pivotal moments in Ukraine’s history: the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity in 2013.
The highlight of the day will be the unveiling of the ‘Wall of Resilience and Invincibility’ at National Children’s Specialized Hospital “Okhmatdyt”, Ukraine’s leading paediatric clinic. This artistic installation symbolizes the unyielding spirit and unity of the Ukrainian people and pays tribute to the medical professionals who continue to save lives under the most challenging wartime conditions.
The wall, located at a site damaged by russian attacks, tells the stories of those who have worked tirelessly to rebuild the country since the first days of the war. Created by volunteers and Ukrainian artists, it embodies hope, strength, and a shared belief in ultimate victory.
Accreditation is required for journalists covering the event.
On November 19, the Kyiv War Museum will host Light a Fire, a solemn event to mark the 1,000th day of the war. A thousand candles will be lit at the base of the iconic Motherland monument, followed by a unified prayer for Ukraine.
The event aims to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for the country and to extend gratitude to those still defending it.
Journalists planning to attend are required to secure accreditation.
A piece by renowned British street artist Banksy, originally painted in Hostomel, has been relocated to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Monastery National Reserve. The graffiti, created in the aftermath of the Kyiv region’s liberation, portrays a woman in loungewear holding a fire extinguisher and wearing a gas mask. It quickly became a powerful symbol of resilience and renewal.
Shortly after its creation, the mural narrowly escaped theft when someone attempted to remove a section of the wall it was painted on. The artwork was salvaged and is now preserved within the Kyivan Caves Monastery’s grounds. While its exact location within the monastery has not been revealed, staff have invited visitors to explore and share their discoveries on social media.
On November 11, Kyiv will host the debut of Shevchenko 2.0, a show-performance by the Kharkiv Academic Berezil Theater. Blending history with modernity, the production draws inspiration from the personal diaries of Ukrainian national poet Taras Shevchenko. Through a mix of life events, theatrical expression, avant-garde music, and pop tributes to Great Kobzar’s poetry, the show promises a dynamic reimagining of the poet’s legacy. EL Kravchuk, a celebrated Ukrainian singer, not only plays a pivotal role in the production but also co-developed the concept with academic and physicist Borys Hryniov. The performance combines poignant lyrics with black humor and features original compositions alongside pop homages to Shevchenko’s works, all performed by Kravchuk.
Although rooted in documentary material, Shevchenko 2.0 is staged as a phantasmagoria, incorporating bold theatrical techniques. The production features video projections, elaborate set designs, and chic costumes, creating a visually stunning and energetic spectacle.
The creative team includes:
• Borys Hryniov – Concept creator and lyricist. An Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Technical Sciences, and Professor.
• Dmytro Ternovyi – Playwright. Winner of numerous playwriting competitions, including international accolades. His works have been published and staged in Austria, Germany, France, Poland, and Ukraine.
• Oleksandr Kovshun – Director. With 27 productions in his repertoire, he has collaborated with seven Ukrainian theaters and three international cultural institutions. His accolades include two theater awards and participation in 35 festivals across 10 countries.
• Kostiantyn Ponomariov – Production designer. Renowned as Kharkiv’s leading fashion designer, as well as a prominent set designer and art critic.
• Mykhailo Tereshchenko and EL Kravchuk – Performers portraying Taras Shevchenko.
For reference: The Kharkiv Academic Ukrainian Drama Theatre, originally named Berezil, is among Ukraine’s oldest cultural institutions. Established in Kyiv in 1922 by visionary director Les Kurbas, the theater was transferred to Kharkiv in 1926 when the city served as Ukraine’s capital.
Kurbas, a trailblazer in Ukrainian theater, was dismissed in 1933 under accusations of “distorting” optimistic Soviet ideals. He, along with playwright Mykola Kulish, was executed in the Sandarmokh forest on November 3, 1937, during Stalin’s purges.
Despite its proximity to the russian border, ongoing war, and reduced state funding, the theater continues to innovate under chief director Stepan Pasichnyk, producing new works, securing grant-funded projects, and performing for Ukrainian defenders.
Oksana Pohomii, a dedicated volunteer and member of the Kherson City Council, remained steadfast in her commitment to her community during the relentless occupation by russian forces. Throughout this challenging period, she awaited the city’s liberation while providing crucial support to those in need, even managing to share videos documenting life under occupation. Oksana was present in Kherson during the catastrophic explosion of the Kakhovka HPP in June 2023.
As the head of the Kherson Solidarna Sprava Hromad NGO (Solidarity Cause of the Communities in Kherson), Oksana recently oversaw the establishment of the Kherson Ukrainian Cultural Center, named after Oleksandr Menshov, a renowned Ukrainian writer from Kherson who lost his life at the front last year. This center serves as a refuge and hosts various cultural events, welcoming participation from all members of the community.
Following the city’s liberation, Oksana’s organization launched a volunteer bakery, providing freshly baked bread for both local residents and military personnel. On the second anniversary of Kherson’s liberation, November 11, the bakery is set to celebrate a significant milestone: the production of its three hundred thousandth loaf of bread.
Journalists interested in learning more about Oksana’s inspiring efforts can engage with her in Kherson or connect online.
For context: Kherson fell under russian occupation on March 1, 2022, at the onset of the full-scale invasion. The Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully liberated the city on November 11, 2022, but the threat remains, with regular shelling continuing to affect the area.
Yuriy Vetkin, 57, is a veteran, screenwriter, and former major in Ukraine’s military. With a background as a psychologist, he served in the State Special Transport Service until 2008. In 2015, he returned to active duty as a deputy battalion commander in the 95th Air Assault Brigade and, after russia’s full-scale invasion, joined the defense of his hometown, Chernihiv, with the 1st Siverskyi Tank Brigade. On March 5, 2022, Yuriy lost a leg in an enemy shelling.
Alongside his military service, Yuriy has developed a career as a screenwriter and blogger. His screenplays have received recognition in national competitions, and in 2016, his short film Interview premiered at Cannes in the Short Film Corner, later winning awards in Portugal and Saudi Arabia.
Yuriy also contributes to The Veterans’ Theater project by TRO Media, where his plays Phantom, Explosion, and Hospital Rhapsody were staged at the Festival of First Plays. He also wrote Turn to Irpin for a paper theater production, in which he performed his own role.
Now, Yuriy is working to establish a Veterans’ Theater in Chernihiv, based at the Chernihiv Veterans’ Space ‘Sercevir’. His goal is to create a space where veterans and their families can perform with professional actors, focusing on psychological recovery, re-socialization, and creative fulfillment.
Journalists interested in Yuriy’s story can connect with him in Chernihiv or through virtual interviews.
The conference “Cultural Heritage: Protecting Cultural Boundaries,” will take place in Kyiv on October 29. The central theme is “Preserving cultural boundaries through the integration of tangible and intangible heritage into new cultural forms”.
The conference aims to highlight the importance of preserving cultural heritage and to demonstrate effective methods of integrating tangible and intangible heritage. This integration provides an additional boost to a country’s economic resilience.
The destruction of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the midst of war creates additional requirements for the state, business and expert community to find quick, effective and systematic tools not only to preserve but also to develop cultural heritage sites for future generations.
The conference will be attended by representatives of government institutions, business, public organizations, international heritage preservation organizations, researchers and educators.
Speakers:
- Nataliia Voitsechuk, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage Preservation, Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications;
- Yuliia Lytvynets, Director General of the National Art Museum;
- Yuliia Vahanova, Director of the Khanenko Museum;
- Oleksandr Nykoriak, Head of the All-Ukrainian Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage;
- Vadym Kyrylenko, First Deputy Director of the National Reserve “Saint Sophia of Kyiv”;
- Michał Krasucki (Poland), Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage Protection, Warsaw;
- Larysa Dovha, founder and director of the educational project “UKultura”, professor at NaUKMA;
- Oksana Huliaieva, managing partner of the investment company Dovgiy Family Office;
- Kyrylo Kobtsev, official representative of the Blue Shield International Committee in Ukraine;
- Mariia Motorzhyna, historian, museum expert;
- Larysa Petasiuk, head of the NGO “Culture Advocacy”;
- Mark Wilkins (Switzerland-Kyiv), co-owner of Reytarska Circle, nominee for the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture;
- Iryna Tatarenko, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire;
- Ihor Dobrutskyi, Ukrainian entrepreneur, public figure, founder and director of Folk Ukraine.
Journalists can view the full conference program. Accreditation is required to attend.
Gala Kozyutynska, a filmmaker and artist from Kyiv, had long dreamed of creating an artistic residence in a rural setting. Though she split her time between Kyiv and Lviv, her heart was set on buying a house in the countryside. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Gala felt it was time to turn that dream into reality. Her partner, Viktor Petrov, wholeheartedly supported the idea, and together, they began searching for the perfect spot. They found it in the small village of Latirka in Zakarpattia.
After purchasing the house, they began restoring it and even named their future creative space “The Attic.” But their plans took a devastating turn when Viktor was called to serve in Ukraine’s Defense Forces. In May 2023, Viktor was killed in combat near Bakhmut, leaving Gala to carry on their dream alone. Despite the heartbreak, she pressed forward with their vision.
In the year since Viktor’s passing, Gala has hosted over 20 gatherings with young creatives at the residence. Together, they’ve learned traditional crafts like weaving, whitewashing clay brick warming stove, foraging for mushrooms, and gardening. Gala is also focused on finding ways to offer relaxation and rejuvenation for those visiting the artistic space.
Today, Gala divides her time between Zakarpattia and Lviv, and she remains open to sharing her story with journalists, both in person and virtually.
