Themes by tag: culture

Coinciding with the 210th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko’s birth, the Kyiv Institute of the National Guard of Ukraine will debut “Unknown Shevchenko,” a production that promises to infuse fresh relevance into Shevchenko’s timeless texts. The performance, featuring the voices of combatants hailing from locales like Soledar and Bakhmut, alongside cadets of the National Guard Institute, is poised to deliver poignant reflections on contemporary issues.

It’s worth noting that since the outbreak of Russia’s full-blown war in Ukraine, cadets from the Kyiv Institute of the National Guard have been at the forefront, bravely defending the capital and directly safeguarding the Bucha district. Among their ranks are individuals who have valiantly defended the Donetsk region, including areas like Soledar, Bakhmut, and Kalynivka.

On March 9, Ukrainians will commemorate the birth of Taras Shevchenko, a towering figure in Ukrainian history known for his contributions as a poet, prose writer, thinker, painter, ethnographer, and public figure. Shevchenko’s literary opus, particularly his iconic collection “Kobzar,” remains the cornerstone of modern Ukrainian literature.

• culture
• Kyiv

Mikael Colville-Andersen, a renowned Danish urbanist, designer, writer, and TV presenter, is making waves in Ukraine with his philanthropic efforts. Founding the non-profit organization Bikes4Ukraine, Colville-Andersen has facilitated the delivery of used bicycles from Europe to Ukrainians in need. Bikes4Ukraine inception was the very reason for Dane’s first coming to Ukraine in June 2022. His initiative already delivered 1000 bicycles for now. 

Currently stationed in Kyiv, Mikael’s tirelessly working on the development of a Nordic Therapy Garden-inspired environment, set to grace the district of Podil. This unique project aims to provide solace and healing to those affected by the stresses of war. More than just a green space, a therapy garden is meticulously crafted to offer comfort and security, providing a sanctuary for individuals grappling with the trauma of war.

Journalists eager to delve deeper into Colville-Andersen’s endeavors, including the creation of the therapeutic garden and other initiatives, can arrange interviews with the urbanist.

Adding to his contributions, from March 1 to 9, an exhibition titled “SNAFU” is on display in Kyiv, showcasing collaborative works of Colville-Andersen and Ukrainian artist Kalyna Seriakovska. The exhibit explores the pursuit of normalcy amidst the chaos of conflict, drawing inspiration from the military abbreviation “SNAFU,” a WW2 military acronym meaning “Situation normal: all fucked up.”

• culture
• reconstruction
• volunteers
• Kyiv

Before facing the brunt of Russia’s invasion, The Jin Roh Circus Studio & Entertainment has been running in Kherson for 15 years. The war caught its members in their hometown. In the chaos, they sought basic necessities like food and medicine, often taking refuge in makeshift shelters. Remarkably, one of the studio’s halls transformed into a bomb shelter, providing safety to around 40 individuals during the tumultuous early weeks. As Russian forces tightened their grip on Kherson, civilians faced escalating repression, prompting many, including Jin Roh’s students, to flee. Even the studio’s founder and director, Roman Vashchenko, was compelled to leave to evade capture.

Since the city’s liberation in November 2022, Vashchenko has returned, dedicating himself to rebuilding the studio’s activities. However, the journey back to normalcy is fraught with challenges. Once bustling with 300 students, Jin Roh now sees a fraction of that number attending classes to 2-8, with safety concerns looming large amidst continued shelling by occupying forces.

For reference: Kherson fell under Russian occupation at the onset of the full-scale invasion on March 1, 2022. It wasn’t until November 11, 2022, that the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated the city from Russian control. Despite this liberation, the occupiers persist in regularly shelling the city.

• children
• culture
• Kherson

With backing from the Ukrainian President and spearheaded by the Ukrainian State Film Agency, the Ukrainian National Film Festival “Cinema for Victory”, showcasing films created during the Russia-Ukraine war, commemorates the tenth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the second anniversary of full-blown warfare.

The primary objective of the 2024 Cinema for Victory Film Festival is to promote documentary works created during the Russia-Ukraine war. This year’s lineup will spotlight films exposing Russian war crimes and presenting firsthand accounts of Ukrainian experiences.

Positioned as a platform for informational resistance countering Russian aggression and facilitating the development of wartime content, the Cinema for Victory Film Festival aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the film community.

Attendance requires pre-accreditation. 

Further information to be disclosed post-accreditation for security purposes.

• culture
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

In 2014, the ensemble of the Luhansk Regional Philharmonic confronted the initial onslaught of Russian aggression. As Luhansk, a city in eastern Ukraine where the musicians resided and operated, fell under Russian occupation, they were forced to abandon their belongings and relocate to Sievierodonetsk, situated in the government-controlled sector of the Luhansk region. Compounded by the director’s collaboration with the occupiers, they left behind not only musical instruments but also a crucial accumulation of musical notations and documents. Nevertheless, the Philharmonic persisted in its endeavors at the new locale, embarking on extensive tours across Ukraine and abroad.

Fast forward to February 2022, the specter of evacuation loomed once more as the Russian military encroached upon Sievierodonetsk. This time, the musicians sought refuge in Lviv, where they commenced a series of charitable performances in solidarity with the Armed Forces, subsequently resuming their musical engagements. Presently, the 50-member ensemble delivers 6-7 concerts per month, anticipating future tours. Yet, their ultimate aspiration remains to stage a performance in the liberated confines of Ukrainian Luhansk.

For reference: Following months of clashes, Russian forces seized Sievierodonetsk in June 2022. The city, ravaged by Russian shelling, sustained extensive damage, compelling the majority of its inhabitants to flee.

• casualties
• culture
• occupation
• Lviv

On February 21, an interactive presentation of the photo project entitled “Stronger than the Elements” will take place in Kyiv. The event will include a presentation of an art calendar featuring servicewomen (including those released from captivity), veterans, doctors, volunteers and more.

Twelve Ukrainian women who took part in “Stronger than the Elements” photo project are depicted as various natural phenomena. In addition to the four main elements — water, fire, earth, and air — the women personify lava, downpour, avalanche, thunder, lightning, wind, and other formidable natural phenomena.

For example, some of the participants of the photo project include: “Lava” — Valeria “Nava” Subotina, defender of Mariupol, writer; “Lightning” — Dzvenyslava Sira, medical curator of the “Azov” Patronage Service, soldier of the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard of Ukraine; “Hurricane” — Natalia Nahorna, military correspondent of TSN, 1+1 TV channel and others.

The initiative to bring these women together for a joint project belongs to Anna Murashenko, Founder of the YOUkraine Charitable Foundation.

The women who took part in the photo project, volunteers, soldiers and representatives of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War will take part in the event.

Funds from the sale of the charity calendar will be spent to purchase drones for the 72nd Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians.

The event requires accreditation.

• culture
• military
• volunteers
• women
• Kyiv

14-year-old Matvii Hlazunov fled the war twice. When russia first attacked Ukraine in 2014 his family had to flee from Avdiivka, Donetsk region to Izium, Kharkiv region. And with the start of the full-scale invasion his family moved again, this time to Odesa.

The boy reflects on his experiences in his animated films. He makes each character and designs each stage himself. Then he captures all the movements on camera and edits the animated footage. In 2021, his film “Melissa” won the Grand Prix at the Children Kinofest International Festival. The following year, Matvii won the festival’s “Best animated film” prize for his film “Black February.” The teenager already has an idea for his next movie and is preparing to start writing the script soon. In the future, the teenager dreams of becoming a director.

For reference: Ukrainian troops withdrew from Avdiivka on February 17, 2024. The defense of the city lasted for 10 years. Now it is completely destroyed as a result of russian shelling.

• children
• culture
• Odesa

Anton Smetskyi, a dancer hailing from Donetsk, where he started his own ballet company. However, Russia’s aggression engulfed Ukraine in 2014, leading to the occupation of his hometown, forcing him to flee Donetsk, leaving behind his brothers who tragically perished fighting for the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” at the hands of Russian forces.

When the Russian all-out invasion began, Anton found himself again under occupation, this time in the Kyiv Oblast. Upon the region’s liberation, Anton wasted no time in joining the Defense Forces, sending his family abroad for safety. Serving as a sapper in the Zaporizhia sector, his bravery led him to the front lines, where he tragically lost part of his leg to a mine during a fierce assault. Now undergoing rehabilitation in Lutsk, Anton displays remarkable resilience as he adapts to life with a prosthetic limb, even rekindling his passion for dance. His former collaborator, famous singer Iryna Bilyk now offers him a role in choreographing her upcoming show. Moreover, she pledges to procure a specialized prosthesis, enabling Anton to pursue his dance aspirations with greater ease and even perform acrobatic feats. Undeterred by adversity, Anton harbors ambitious dreams of establishing his own dance studio.

For reference: as February 24, 2024, marks the grim two-year anniversary of Russia’s criminal incursion into Ukraine. It stands as the apex of a decade-long war of aggression, which actually dates back to February 20, 2014, beginning with the annexation of Crimea. Russian forces invaded Ukrainian Crimea without any identifying markings and, after that, seized control of the peninsula back then. Subsequently, these events escalated into war in eastern Ukraine.

• casualties
• culture
• military

ARTHELPS is a non-profit organization based in Germany. As part of its RESTRUMENTS campaign, musical instruments were made out of used Russian weapons during a kid’s workshop held in Kyiv (September 2023). These include turning repurposed weaponry scrap into a violin and a cello, as well as a guitar with a body fashioned from a fuel canister used to refuel Russian tanks. In December 2023, a music video was released for a composition by violinist Yurii Revych, staging children playing the built instruments.

ARTHELPS has also launched a fundraising campaign for a new Creative Hub in Ukraine. Anyone can buy posters featuring musical instruments.

Journalists can have an opportunity to talk to the founders of the organization (in German or English) and the project’s communication manager, as well as see the instruments made within the project (offline in Germany or online).

For reference: ARTHELPS is a non-profit organization of creative people dedicated to helping those in need through art. The team has worked in Germany and Afghanistan, India, Iraq, South Africa, Syria, and Brazil, among others. In 2016, they worked on a project with children in eastern Ukraine.

• culture
• weapon

The MiNiMISTO project, which combines LEGO modeling with the history of the native area, was founded by Alexander Yermolayev, a designer from Mykolaiv, in early 2020. At first it was an ordinary hobby, which gradually evolved into a full-fledged Internet project.

At the very beginning of the full-scale war (March 2022), Alexander decided to use LEGO models to talk about the buildings destroyed or damaged by the russians throughout Ukraine. At that time, Mykolaiv (a city in the South of Ukraine) was suffering from a chaotic enemy shelling, and it building LEGO live took too long in such conditions. Therefore, Alexander started working with a special digital designer software (the same LEGO blocks, only virtually). According to Alexander, this made it possible to promptly reproduce destroyed buildings, as well as involve other creators in the project. Currently, there are three creators in the MiNiMISTO team. The project website, among other things, features the Mariupol Drama Theater as well as Bakhmut and Kramatorsk railway stations.

Journalists are welcome to learn more about the Internet project, as well as talk to the founder.

• culture
• reconstruction
• russian crimes
• Mykolaiv