Themes by tag: culture

Denys, a defender of Irpin and founder of a furniture production company, has a lifelong passion for woodworking. His journey began in his childhood when he lived in Crimea. After the russian occupation of Crimea, he left his home, joined the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), and later relocated to Irpin in the Kyiv oblast.

In the Irpin community, Denys turned his dream into reality. He completed business courses, secured a grant, and opened his own furniture workshop in 2021.

In February and March 2022, when russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Denys took up arms to defend Irpin. He participated in the battles for the town and helped evacuate civilians. During this time, the occupiers destroyed and looted his workshop.

Despite these losses, Denys managed to rebuild his business in a new location.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

Taras Stolyar was a bandurist in the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments for 20 years. His musical career was put on hold on February 24, 2022, when he joined Kyiv’s territorial defense. By March, he was defending the Kyiv oblast from russian occupiers, earning the nickname “Bandura”. Later, his unit was deployed to the eastern front, where he fought near Kreminna and Bakhmut, first as a rifleman and later as a drone operator.

In November 2023, Taras joined the “Cultural Forces,” a group of Ukrainian artists who perform for soldiers on the front lines, in hospitals, and in liberated cities. His bandura performances are meant to inspire and boost the morale of the military.

In the fall of 2024, Taras and other members of “Cultural Forces” project embarked on a tour of the United States, performing 170 benefit concerts. One of his performances was attended by the English musician Sting. According to Taras, the unique sound of his bandura and a cover of one of Sting’s songs captivated the legendary artist. As a result, Stoliar accompanied Sting at a concert in Los Angeles. The military musicians also recorded a video with Sting, which quickly gained popularity on the Internet.

Taras Stoliar is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement. He is either in Kyiv or deployed to the front lines.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

The “Road of Life” lighting installation in Irpin, crafted on the site of the destroyed Romanyiv Bridge, has been recognized at the renowned LIT Lighting Design Awards, an esteemed international competition based in Switzerland. The project earned top honors in the Religious & Spiritual Site Lighting Design category, highlighting its profound impact and creative vision.  

The installation features red threads illuminated by pulsating light, symbolically connecting the shattered remnants of the bridge. This poignant design pays tribute to resilience and recovery amid destruction, resonating with audiences worldwide.  

Journalists are invited to explore the “Road of Life” installation on-site and obtain commentary to share this remarkable story with a broader audience.  

• culture
• Kyiv

Vitalii “Sarmat” Kozhokar, a war veteran from Irpin, has found a remarkable way to transform remnants of conflict into symbols of resilience. Kozhokar crafts one-of-a-kind writing pens from shell casings, with notable recipients including Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and prominent journalist Tamar Jacoby.  

Kozhokar’s journey began in 2014 when he first took up arms to defend Ukraine during russia’s incursion into eastern Ukraine. In February 2022, he joined the Volunteer Formation of the Irpin Territorial Community, where, as a platoon commander, he led successful efforts to repel enemy advances on his hometown.  

Today, alongside fellow veteran Volodymyr, Kozhokar creates pens from shell casings recovered from battlefields of the russian-Ukrainian war, as well as relics from the First and Second World Wars. 

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

During the Christmas season a number of events are held in Lviv. On Christmas Eve, December 24, at 12:00, the main Lviv didukh (Christmas decoration) will be installed on Angel Square near the Garrison Church.

From December 25, 2024 to January 12, 2025 the “Great Carol” festival will take place. New this year is the Grand Christmas Tour. Lviv tour guides have prepared a special themed route through the central streets of the city for the holiday season. Residents and visitors are also invited to attend the “Christmas Prayer” performance on the northern side of Rynok Square.

Honoring those who gave their lives for Ukraine: this year a memorial carol will be sung at the Lychakiv cemetery. On the last Saturday of the month (December 28), families of Ukraine’s fallen defenders will gather to pay tribute to those who made it possible to celebrate Christmas at home through their ultimate sacrifice.

• culture
• Lviv

On December 23, Kyiv will host the festive event “Warmth of Hearts”: A Christmas Celebration of Faith and Hope” organized by the Command of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in cooperation with the Association of Families of Territorial Defenders of Ukrainian cities.

The purpose of the event is to create a special Christmas atmosphere for the children and relatives of servicemen, families of the missing, prisoners and those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom, and to unite all Ukrainians in these difficult times. Organizers hope to remind Ukrainian society of the importance of kindness and support for one another.

Highlights of the event:

• A concert featuring well-known artists and amateur groups;
• A charity fair organized by the families of territorial defense servicemen from all over Ukraine;
• Interactive activities for children;
• Presentations of volunteer formations of territorial communities;
• A video recording of Christmas wishes near the “Dreams for Ukraine” themed Christmas tree;
• Recording of a Christmas video message for the servicemen of the Territorial Armed Forces.

For security reasons, the location of the event will be announced to registered participants two hours before the event begins.

• culture
• Kyiv

The United States recently hosted the debut of  “Through the Eyes of Children”, a powerful collection of children’s quotes published by HarperCollins Publishers, one of the world’s most renowned publishing houses.  

Originally published in February 2023 by the “Voices of Children” Charitable Foundation, the book aims to draw global attention to the hardships faced by children as a result of russia’s war against Ukraine. Within just three months of its release, HarperCollins Publishers expressed interest and secured the rights to publish the book in the U.S. and worldwide. 

The U.S. book tour took place from December 8 to 14, with events in three cities: New York, Washington, D.C., and New Haven. A signed copy of the book by Tania Vovk was also presented to Timothy Snyder, a Yale professor and a devoted friend of Ukraine. 

The centerpiece of the tour was the presentation of “War Through the Eyes of Ukrainian Children: An Evening of Stories, Discussion, and Reflection”, held on December 13 in New York at the Ukrainian Institute of America, with support from the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations. 

Among other things, the voices of Ukrainian children, with the support of Rebirth.Ukraine, resonated in the legendary Times Square. 

Journalists can access further details about the book launch in the United States, along with accompanying photos and videos.

• children
• culture
• Kyiv

The War Museum and the Kyiv Koliada community are inviting residents and visitors of Kyiv to partake in traditional Christmas Eve celebrations on December 22.  

Kyivska Koliada, a vibrant community of children and adults, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich traditions of caroling in a contemporary urban setting. Since its inception, the group has performed carols for Kyiv audiences twice annually—on December 25 and January 7. Following the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s adoption of the New Julian calendar, Kyiv Koliada now brings Christmas cheer to Ukrainians on December 25, gathering at central squares and iconic landmarks in the city to proclaim the Savior’s birth.  

This year’s festivities will unfold on the Pechersk Hills, beneath the towering Motherland sculpture, where participants will perform carols and showcase traditional Christmas wreaths.  

Event attendance requires prior accreditation.

• culture
• Kyiv

The book “Workshop of Lies” examines how russian media, social networks and cultural diplomacy have become tools of manipulation on all continents. The publication aims to teach readers how to identify false information and think critically in the context of information warfare.

The authors, Viktor Berezenko and Dmytro Tsarenko, are political strategists and media consultants with 15 years of experience. Written in a popular-science style, the book marks their literary debut and is a culmination of their expertise in political strategy, media wars, and countering Kremlin disinformation. All royalties from book sales will be donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The book was launched at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Among the first recipients of “Workshop of Lies” were Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, Chief of the Main Directorate of Intelligence Kyrylo Budanov, and soldiers of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In the spring of 2025, the English version of the book will be presented in Brussels, Berlin, Warsaw, London, Paris and Washington, while the Spanish edition will be launched in Madrid.

Journalists can arrange an online interview with Viktor Berezenko by prior arrangement.

• culture
• russian crimes

On December 13 the Media Center Ukraine will host the presentation of the art and historical project “Flowers of Victory”. The centerpiece of the project is a sculpture crafted from the remnants of an enemy infantry fighting vehicle destroyed in the Kyiv oblast, and ammunition fragments left behind by russian shelling of civilian targets. The sculpture depicts sunflowers growing through enemy equipment, symbolizing Ukraine’s triumph over the aggressor.

Participants:

– Kostiantyn Cherniavskyi, chairman of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, Honored Artist of Ukraine; 

– Bohdan Mazur, author of the sculptural composition, winner of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine, member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine;

– Mamuka Mamulashvili, soldier, founder and commander of the Georgian National Legion;

– Oleksandr Kuklyshyn, project manager and head of the NGO “Green Stripe”.

During the event, journalists will have an opportunity to see metal fragments from russian missiles left after the attack on the Ohmatdyt National Children’s Hospital.

• culture
• russian crimes
• weapon
• Kyiv