Themes by tag: culture

At the beginning of the full-scale war, members of the Kyiv Municipal Cruising Yacht Club made trench candles and wove camouflage nets. Later, together with warfighters, they designed special medical stretchers using sailcloth as a material, which is durable, waterproof and resistant to friction. The stretchers are now manufactured on a regular basis: they are lightweight and compact.  

Many club members joined this initiative. Sailcloth is provided by sailors from yacht clubs all over Ukraine. Sailors from Poland and Slovenia have also sent their sails for the production of stretchers.

By prior arrangement, journalists can speak with club members and cover their work in Kyiv.

For reference: Kyiv Municipal Cruising Yacht Club is the oldest active yacht club in the capital (a non-profit sailing organization).

As a reminder, the club has launched a free sailing course for military personnel and veterans. Journalists can cover the practical training.

• culture
• volunteers
• Kyiv

After the beginning of the full-scale war, Viktoriia lost her job and turned to working with clay. The young woman created numerous pieces, including tableware. Her work caught the attention of a company that was looking for a craftswoman to make platters. The key feature of these plates is their pins, which help to secure food so that it can be cut with just one hand.

Viktoriia studied the necessary information, consulted with an occupational therapist, and created her first inclusive plate. Today, she donates her creations to restaurants, hospitals, and veterans who have lost an arm in combat. She doesn’t charge the military for her work – instead, her social media followers cover the cost.

You can contact Viktoriia Beliavska online or in person in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• women
• Kyiv

Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Azman has addressed the President of the United States in a song. The musical piece was published on his Facebook page with the caption: “My appeal to Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, to help Ukraine achieve a just and lasting peace.”

The song, performed in English, is set to video footage showing the aftermath of Russian strikes on Ukraine, including the April 24 attack on Kyiv that killed 13 people and injured nearly 90.

“You are the one the whole world is watching, your every move, everything you do. Don’t let the line between good and evil be blurred. The light will always rise, the darkness will not prevail. Donald Trump, it’s time to fight in the name of light,” the lyrics say.

Journalists can arrange an online interview with Moshe Azman in advance.

For reference: Moshe Reuven Azman serves as the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine. Recently, he hosted Pastor Mark Burns – often described as Donald Trump’s spiritual advisor – during his visit to Ukraine, including stops in Bucha and Irpin. In September 2024, a memorial service was held for Matityahu (Anton Samborsky), the Chief Rabbi’s adopted son, who was killed in the war.

• culture
• religion

The Kiev Municipal Cruising Yacht Club is implementing a rehabilitation initiative for military personnel and veterans – a free sailing course combining theoretical and practical training.

Recently, the first practical session of the sailing course took place. The participants prepared their training boat, refreshed their theoretical knowledge and the terminology they learned during the last two months. The next day, they set sail for their first wind-powered voyage.

Journalists are welcome to cover the next practical session in Kyiv upon prior arrangement.

Background: Kiev Municipal Cruising Yacht Club is the oldest active yacht club in the capital (a non-profit sailing organization).

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

On April 30, Kyiv will host the presentation of Map, a new book by Andriy Zelinskyy, military chaplain of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Guests are invited to:

– Meet the author;

– Explore the main themes and symbols of the book;

– Take part in an open discussion;

– Join an autograph session. 

Media representatives are required to obtain accreditation to attend the event.

For reference: Andriy Zelinskyy is one of Ukraine’s first military chaplains. He serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation under the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, teaches in the Ethics-Politics-Economics program at the Ukrainian Catholic University, and is a co-founder of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy. He is also a political scientist, writer, publicist, and prominent public figure. His published works include Semen’s Stars, Sunflowers, My Journey to the Country of Marines, and Anatomy of a Warrior.

• culture
• Kyiv

On May 4, Kyiv will host a charity obstacle run to celebrate the founding of the 12th Special Operations Brigade “Azov”. Participants will tackle a 3-kilometer course designed to test their endurance.

To participate, runners must register and donate 800 UAH, with all proceeds going directly to support front-line soldiers.

• culture
• Kyiv

In celebration of the second anniversary of the Union of Wounded Military of Ukraine, the traditional “Strong 300” fan race is set to take place. The event is scheduled for May 4 in Kyiv.

The “Strong 300” fan race aims to honor those who defended Ukraine, inspire those close to them, and unite civil society in support of those who truly deserve respect and care.

Participants will have the option to choose from several race distances: 1 km, 3 km, and 5 km, all featuring obstacles. A special paired race will also be held for veterans and their children. The event will include an expo of veterans’ organizations, live music performances, a food court, and a children’s area, as well as gifts and raffles. Participation is available with a donation to support veterans’ initiatives.

• culture
• Kyiv

Echoes of Memory: Living Stories of Native Places” is a project that collects memories and photographs of places currently inaccessible due to war and preserves them for future generations. The initiative was launched by the NGO “ZNOvU”.

The team has created a website where anyone can share their personal stories and memories of their homeland.

Currently, the project includes 60 stories, and more are being added. These include memories from the Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk and Kherson oblasts.

The co-founders of the NGO “ZNOvU” are Anastasiia Bieliaieva, originally from Nova Kakhovka, and Olha Koval, originally from Luhansk. Both Nova Kakhovka and Luhansk are currently under russian occupation.

By prior arrangement, journalists can communicate with Anastasiia Bieliaieva (online) and Olha Koval (in Kyiv or online). It is also possible to contact participants who have shared their stories on the website.

Background: The project is implemented by the NGO “ZNOvU” with the support of “Culture Helps”.

Since 2020, the NGO “ZNOvU” has been working on issues related to education, the impact of war on the lives of children and youth, and creating opportunities for educational and psychological support for families affected by war.

• culture
• Kyiv

On April 18, Kyiv will host a charity premiere of the documentary We Are Home. Directed by Roman Krasnoshchok and Anton Chistiakov, the film tells the deeply personal stories of children from across Ukraine who were forced to flee their homes and begin new lives in the Carpathians following the full-scale invasion. British comedian and writer Stephen Fry lends his voice to the narration.

A charity fundraiser will be held during the screening to benefit the Voices of Children Foundation, which supports Ukrainian children affected by the war. That same day, the film will also be released online – available on Apple TV in the United States and Amazon Prime Video worldwide – with all proceeds directed to the charity.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring members of the film’s creative team and Azad Safarov, co-founder of the Voices of Children Foundation.

• children
• culture
• Kyiv

This week, World Central Kitchen is launching a special Easter initiative to distribute nearly 30,000 Easter cakes to communities throughout Ukraine. Thousands of traditional paska cakes will be delivered to families across several regions, including Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Dnipro, Lviv, and Kyiv.

Journalists can cover the initiative by prior arrangement, with opportunities for photo and video reporting, interviews, and written coverage. In addition, photos captured by the organization’s photographers may be made available for publication.

For reference: World Central Kitchen is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides meals to people affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises. It was founded in 2010 by renowned chef José Andrés, who, along with his team, began the effort by serving food in Haiti following the devastating earthquake.

• culture
• food