Themes by tag: culture

Kharkiv-based artist Valentyna Huk, 21, transforms fragments of shattered glass into intricate mosaics, giving new life to the debris left behind by russian airstrikes.

Valentyna works with acrylics, pastels, and, most notably, black watercolor pencil—a medium she describes as offering “no room for mistakes.”

Her first mosaic took shape after an attack damaged the balcony of her apartment, leaving it strewn with broken glass. She gathered the shards and turned them into art. Since then, she has been collecting glass fragments from the aftermath of airstrikes across Kharkiv, using only what she finds on-site. Each finished piece is placed in or near the area where the glass was originally scattered.

Those interested in speaking with Valentyna Huk can arrange a meeting with her in Kharkiv or connect online.

• culture
• russian crimes
• women
• Kharkiv

Volodymyr Dovhan, a veteran of the ATO, has been working with clay since 1991. Together with his wife, Oksana, he runs an artisan pottery studio in the Kyiv region. In late 2022, the couple received financial support from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation through the VARTO 2.0 program. With this funding, they expanded their workshop in 2023 to host rehabilitation sessions for wounded soldiers.

At the pottery wheel, veterans craft everything from bowls to sculptures. Beyond the creative process, clay therapy helps them, as one veteran put it, “regain their sense of self.”

Looking ahead, the couple plans to establish an art residency where veterans can not only practice pottery but also stay for a period of time.

Journalists can arrange interviews with Volodymyr and Oksana in advance and, if possible, cover the workshops.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• Kyiv

A group of female beekeepers in Poltava Oblast has been running the Own to Own agricultural operative since 2020, producing up to five tons of honey annually and crafting their own honey-based products.

The cooperative was founded by Tetiana Senchuk, a third-generation beekeeper. She says finding like-minded women wasn’t difficult, as Poltava hosted the Ms. Bee Forum in 2016, where she connected with others interested in forming a cooperative.

The full-scale invasion nearly forced the group to disband, with many beekeepers relocating to other cities or even leaving the country. But in 2023, the members reunited and decided to keep going. Their efforts were bolstered by support from the WeProsper project, which helped them purchase and repair essential equipment.

Today, the cooperative consists of seven women and one man. Depending on the season, they harvest between three and five tons of honey. One of their signature products is cream honey, known for its smooth texture while preserving all the natural benefits of raw honey.

Those interested in connecting with Tetiana Senchuk and the cooperative can do so both online and in person by appointment.

• culture
• women
• Poltava

The Razom for Ukraine Charitable Foundation is inviting the public to attend the first open pre-premiere screening of the Porcelain War, a documentary that will represent Ukraine at the 2025 Academy Awards. The event, set for February 4 in Kyiv, will also feature a charity collection to fund a mobile stabilization unit aimed at saving the lives of Ukrainian defenders.

To attend the screening, accreditation is required.

For reference: Porcelain War is a collaborative project between American, Ukrainian, and Australian filmmakers. The documentary chronicles the story of three Ukrainian artists—Slava Leontyev, his wife Anya Stasenko, and Andrey Stefanov—who remained in frontline Kharkiv to create porcelain figurines, including owls, dragons, and other symbolic figures. These figurines were used to adorn buildings destroyed by russian missile strikes, transforming the remnants of war into expressions of resilience.

Directed by American filmmaker Brendan Bellomo and featuring Leontiev as one of the central figures, Porcelain War has garnered widespread attention. With the support of a Razom Cinema grant, the filmmakers have been able to present their work at screenings in the United States as part of the Oscar campaign, sharing the stories of Ukraine’s defense and resistance with a global audience.

As of mid-January 2025, the film has already earned 45 awards and 31 nominations at international film festivals, including recognition from the Directors Guild of America Awards.

• culture
• Kyiv

Kostiantyn Saposhko, 37, is a multi-genre artist. He started out creating miniature sculptures out of plaster, but since 2018, he has been carving tiny sculptures on the tips of graphite pencils.

He has dozens of miniature sculptures in his portfolio. One of his works depicts the sunken russian cruiser Moskva, carved on a pencil tip. Another is dedicated to the victory of the Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk. He also created a 9.5×14 cm graphite piece about the battle of Berestechko inspired by Artur Orlonov’s painting. For the past five months, Saposhko has also been carving miniatures on graphite brushes from electric motors.

It can take anywhere from a few hours to several months to create a single piece. The artist does not use magnifying optics — just a regular lamp and carving tools.

Journalists can speak with Kostiantyn online or in person in Khmelnytskyi by prior arrangement.

• culture
• Khmelnytskyi

In a remarkable blend of art and healing, an organ built using fragments of enemy missiles that struck the Kyiv region is being used to aid the psychological and physical rehabilitation of wounded defenders. Over the next two months, musicians from the Lviv Organ Hall will conduct a series of master classes for patients at the Unbroken Ukraine’s National Rehabilitation Center. These sessions will allow participants to play this extraordinary instrument and learn about its history and mechanics.  

The organ, currently installed at the Lviv railway station, is the creation of Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova. It was developed as part of the Instrument project, a series of performances that brought together Ukrainian and international musicians. Over the course of two months, performers delivered their programs at the station every Friday and Saturday, using the organ as a centerpiece.  

For reference: The rehabilitation initiative for Ukraine’s wounded defenders is a joint effort supported by Ukrzaliznytsia, the Lviv Organ Hall, and the Lviv City Council. 

• casualties
• culture
• military
• psychological support
• Lviv

Andriy Stanko lost his eyesight as a child. A year ago, he became a mentor for blind people in an inclusive library in Lviv called Sensoteka. This inclusive space is equipped with everything needed for the visually impaired: the floors have tactile tiles with raised dots to help blind people navigate with a cane. The library also prints books in Braille.

Twice a week, Andriy visits Sensoteka, where he teaches digital literacy to blind people. His mentees include veterans who lost their sight on the front lines.

Using a specialized program called NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA), Andriy has already added accessibility features to a laptop, desktop computer, and two tablets in the inclusive space.

You can talk to Andriy both online and offline by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• culture
• Lviv

A groundbreaking initiative to protect Ukraine’s cultural heritage will be showcased as representatives from leading Czech cultural institutions donate a state-of-the-art mobile safeguard vehicle the Ark 1 (Archa 1). This specialized workstation is designed to safeguard and restore library collections impacted by war. The Ark 1 features advanced tools for cleaning documents of dirt, mold, and fungi, as well as equipment for dehumidification, sterilization, and disinfection. It also aids in restoring documents damaged by fire, water, or improper storage. 

Coordinated in Ukraine by the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library, this project underscores international efforts to support Ukrainian culture during challenging times.

The event will include a demonstration of Ark 1’s practical applications and unveil future initiatives aimed at protecting Ukraine’s cultural legacy.

Participants:

– Halyna Hryhorenko, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine;

– Radek Pech, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Ukraine;

– Michal Šedivý, Coordinator of the “Support for Ukrainian Culture” program;

– Oleh Serbin, Director General, Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine;

– Oksana Brui, President, Ukrainian Library Association.

Event registration is required.

• culture
• Kyiv

Launched in 2024, the “Strong 300” running club was created by wounded military members to support their fellow servicemen and women on a personal, one-to-one level. The club focuses on promoting adaptive sports while offering physical rehabilitation through running for veterans and their families. Beyond fitness, it aims to uplift the psychological well-being of Ukrainians and organizes running events for both veterans and active military personnel.

All members undergo comprehensive evaluations at a diagnostic center before beginning their training, which is held in both an athletics arena and outdoor settings.

Currently, the club consists of 10 members, some of whom are preparing to compete in veteran-specific distances at international races.

Journalists interested in covering the club’s training sessions in Kyiv can do so by prior arrangement.

• culture
• military
• Kyiv

On January 23, the draw and presentation of the songs of the finalists of the National Selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at the Media Center Ukraine.

Participants:
– Tina Karol, singer, music producer of the National Selection for Eurovision 2025, Suspilne Movlennia (Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine);
– Oksana Skybinska, head of the Ukrainian delegation to Eurovision, Suspilne Movlennia (Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine);
– Herman Nenov, creative producer of the National Selection for Eurovision 2025, STARLIGHT PRODUCTION.

Moderators:
– Timur Miroshnychenko, commentator and presenter of Eurovision National Selections;
– Ann Tulieva, host of Eurovision vlogs.

During the event, the ten songs of the finalists will be presented and a draw will be held to determine the order of performances in the National Selection final.

Registration is required to attend this event.

• culture
• Kyiv