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.

• casualties
• culture
• Kyiv

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.

• culture
• women
• Kyiv
• Lviv

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.

• culture
• military

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.

• culture
• Kyiv

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.

• culture
• Zhytomyr

Sofiia Kuchynska is from Kyiv. She has a background in marketing. While putting together a puzzle amidst the war, Sofiia realized that this activity helped her cope with anxiety and distracted from bad thoughts. Later, while buying new puzzles, she came to the conclusion that this was an expensive hobby. In addition, a person usually buys an expensive puzzle, puts it together once, and then it just lies there. That’s when Sofiia came up with the idea to create an online puzzle rental service.

Currently, Sofiia’s collection numbers more than 250 puzzles, including those depicting landscapes, still life and art objects. She also has unusual jigsaw puzzles and even rare puzzles, which are 10-20 years old.

The girl received many good reviews from users. After all, renting a puzzle can be five times cheaper than buying a new one. Sofiia’s clients can also purchase a puzzle subscription (similar to subscriptions for streaming services).

Journalists have the opportunity to talk with Sofiia in Kyiv.

• culture
• Kyiv

Originally slated to celebrate its 50th anniversary in Mariupol in 2022, the Arkhip Kuindzhi Art School faced a setback due to Russia’s full-scale invasion. The institution’s building suffered significant damage, including the destruction of equipment, prompting a relocation to Lviv in April 2022.

Despite the upheaval, the school has resumed operations at its new location, welcoming 40 children for both in-person and online fine arts classes. These students, hailing from Mariupol but dispersed across Ukraine and beyond. Moreover, adults are finding solace and expression through art therapy sessions offered in Lviv, Kropyvnytskyi, and Dnipro. These sessions include oil painting sessions and the exploration of traditional Ukrainian murals. Additionally, the art school remains active in organizing various exhibitions.

For reference: The battle for Mariupol raged on for 86 harrowing days until May 20, 2022, when russian forces seized control of the city. Human Rights Watch’s grim assessment puts the civilian death toll from russian shelling at a staggering 8,000, with thousands more left maimed and traumatized. Many suffered life-altering injuries, including loss of limbs, sight, hearing, or memory, often due to traumatic brain injuries inflicted by relentless explosions. By mid-May 2022, an estimated 400,000 residents, out of a pre-war population of 540,000, had fled Mariupol in search of safety.

• children
• culture
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Lviv
• Mariupol

For Vyshyvanka Day, one of the capital’s shopping malls together with SVARGA, Ukrainian embroidered clothing brand, and Zemliachky NGO initiated a charity photo exhibition “Embroidered Ukraine.” The official opening of the exhibition will take place on May 2. The event will include introductory speech from the organizers and participants of the photo project.

Defenders, paramedics, veterans, and military volunteers took part in the project. The women dressed in embroidered shirts from the “Embroidered Ukraine” collection, which includes ornaments from all regions of Ukraine and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

The goal of the project is to once again remind that there is no eastern and western Ukraine, there is only one whole and unified country, as well as to emphasize that regardless of whether we are at the front lines or in the rear, this is our joint struggle for freedom.

Each photo has a QR code with the account of Zemliachky NGO. All funds raised during the exhibition will be directed to sewing women’s tactical uniforms for the military.

The exhibition project will last up until May 16.

• culture
• Kyiv

Anatolii Levchenko, a prominent figure in Mariupol’s theater scene, who in 2015 spearheaded a new era of contemporary Ukrainian theater at the city’s renowned theater, previously labeled as a “russian” theater. Levchenko, along with his wife Hanna, cared for their non-verbal autistic son and his wife’s 90-year-old mother. When russian forces launched an offensive on Mariupol, the Levchenko family found themselves unable to evacuate promptly. While they successfully arranged their release in May 2022, Anatolii’s freedom was short-lived. He was apprehended by russian authorities the day prior, following betrayal by former colleagues turned collaborators.

Initially left in the dark about her husband’s whereabouts, Hanna later discovered he had been charged with extremism and transferred to occupied Donetsk. Over more than 10 grueling months, she tirelessly sent clothing, medications, and messages to the detention center. Occasionally, Anatolii would manage to call her, often in the dead of night. Throughout this ordeal, Hanna single-handedly cared for their autistic son, scrounging for food and water, and cooking meals over an open fire with the help of neighbors.

On March 9, 2023, Hanna’s phone finally rang with news of Anatolii’s impending release. However, his nearly year-long confinement had taken a toll on his health. In the summer of 2023, the family seized the opportunity to flee to Ukrainian-controlled territory, finding refuge in Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad region. Despite the hardships, Anatolii resumed his theater work.

For reference: The battle for Mariupol raged on for 86 harrowing days until May 20, 2022, when russian forces seized control of the city. Human Rights Watch’s grim assessment puts the civilian death toll from russian shelling at a staggering 8,000, with thousands more left maimed and traumatized. Many suffered life-altering injuries, including loss of limbs, sight, hearing, or memory, often due to traumatic brain injuries inflicted by relentless explosions. By mid-May 2022, an estimated 400,000 residents, out of a pre-war population of 540,000, had fled Mariupol in search of safety.

• casualties
• culture
• occupation
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Mariupol

Yakiv Tkachenko is a professional theater and film actor. He acted in the most expensive film in Ukraine’s history Dovbush, as well as in a number of films, such as Escape From Stalin’s Death Camp, Once Upon a Time in Ukraine and the Strayed.

On March 1, 2022, Yakiv signed up for the army. At first, he joined the Dnipro Territorial Defense Forces, and later he served in Vuhledar as a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In August 2022, an enemy sniper shot Yakiv, the bullet hit the soldier in the neck and mouth. At that time, doctors assumed that Yakiv could completely lose his voice, however, within a month of treatment, the soldier returned to the front line. Yakiv received his next wound when he came under the fire of an enemy tank. The soldier was taken to Dnipro for treatment and rehabilitation. Already after the injury, Yakiv acted in the Ukrainian TV series In Her Car, but he plans to return to the service again.

For reference: Yakiv Tkachenko is in Dnipro. The serviceman is ready to communicate with journalists, both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Dnipro