Themes by tag: Kyiv

On December 21, journalists are invited to the presentation of Share the Light, a new light art installation that will illuminate the facade of Kyiv’s Central Railway Station.

Speakers at the event will include:

– Mykola Kabluka, Master of Arts in Lighting Design and Founder of Expolight; 

– Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC Ukrzaliznytsia;

– Akim Galimov, Journalist, Screenwriter, and Producer of historical documentaries.

Share the Light is dedicated to Ukrainians who, as a result of the war, are living with power shortages and prolonged darkness. The project’s creator, artist and lighting designer Mykola Kabluka, says the installation is intended to bring people together through a symbolic gesture – sharing resilience, luminous memories and hope through beams of light cast onto the country’s main railway station.

From December 21, the longest night of the year, through Christmas on December 25, the installation will operate on generator power. Visitors will be able to interact with the artwork by scanning a QR code, allowing them to choose the color of their “inner light” and leave a short message displayed on the station’s facade.

Media accreditation is required to attend the presentation.

For reference: The project is being implemented by the Expolight Arts contemporary light art laboratory, with support from the national freight and passenger rail operator JSC Ukrzaliznytsia.

• culture
• Kyiv

On December 22, the Media Center Ukraine will host a briefing titled “Global outlook 2026: russia-Ukraine war, power shifts and the emerging world order”.

Participants:

– Ihar Tyshkevich, russia expert and political analyst;

– Iliya Kusa, international affairs expert at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future analytical center. 

Key topics:

– The formation of a new world order in 2026;

– Critical periods for Ukraine;

– The role of US-China negotiations in talks about a possible cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.

Background: The year 2026 may mark a moment when the outlines of a new global order begin to come into focus. The shifts underway are expected to shape the choices of individual states and major international coalitions. Analysis by the Research Solutions group aims to clarify which policy decisions are likely to prove pragmatic and well-grounded in the coming political year.

• Kyiv

On December 25, Kyiv will hold its annual Christmas star march, reviving centuries-old Ukrainian holiday traditions. Participants will carry octagonal stars in tribute to those who have given their lives for the country, creating a moment of unity and remembrance amid ongoing war.

First held in 2014 during the Revolution of Dignity, the march has become a symbol of resilience and continuity, open to anyone wishing to take part. Veterans and active-duty service members are especially invited to join. The procession will feature traditional Christmas carols performed by Kyiv folk ensembles ShchukarRyba and Stodivnytsia, accompanied by the ringing of the city’s main bell towers, adding to the ceremonial atmosphere.

Journalists are invited to review the full program of events in advance.

Reference: Organized by the Ivan Honchar Museum.

The tradition of caroling and nativity scenes featuring stars has been documented in Ukraine since the 17th century. Today, in cities and villages across the country, both children and adults take part in caroling, carrying hand-painted, multicolored stars. The Christmas star symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem that heralded the birth of God and has long been understood as a sign of light triumphing over darkness.

• culture
• Kyiv

On December 18, Media Center Ukraine will host a presentation of the study “When AI Turns Hostile: Gendered Threats Against Ukrainian Women Journalists.”

Participants: 

– Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, Head of the UNESCO Desk in Ukraine (online);

– Liza Kuzmenko, Head of Women in Media NGO, Member of the Commission on Journalism Ethics;

– Olena Mudra, Investigative Journalist from Uzhhorod; 

– Viktor Baiov, Head of the Department for Countering Illegal Content at the Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine;

– Olha Kozub, Legal Expert on Artificial Intelligence at the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

Key topics:

– The growing threat of gender-based online violence;

– Tracking and analyzing data on potential online harassment threats;

– Study findings presentation.

• Kyiv

The Center for Civil Liberties will host a professional discussion on the challenges and imperatives of identifying, locating, and prosecuting human rights abusers and war criminals. Human rights defenders, investigative journalists, government officials, international partners, and researchers are invited to explore the question: “How can the identification of war criminals become inevitable?” The conversation aims to foster a framework where every piece of evidence contributes to establishing accountability and uncovering the truth.

The event is scheduled for December 18 in Kyiv. (The event venue will be disclosed to registered and confirmed participants). 

Featured speakers:

– Oleksandr Pavlichenko, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union;

– Karina Buhaichenko and Vladyslava Kobko, Investigative Journalists with the Slidstvo.Info;

– Bohdan Okhrimenko, Head of the Secretariat of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War in Ukraine;

– Dmytro Osypov, Head of the Second Division for the Department for Procedural Guidance and Support of Public Prosecution of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in the Context of Armed Conflict, Office of the Prosecutor General;

– Denys Polischuk, Head of the Kyiv Office at the Kharkiv Human Rights Group. 

Moderator: Mykhailo Savva, Permanent Expert at the Center for Civil Liberties. 

Topics will include expanding the evidence base, the functioning of international mechanisms to identify perpetrators, secure channels for information sharing among families and witnesses, and approaches to preserve victims’ dignity throughout documentation processes. Representatives from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War in Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General will also present their new initiative, Pokayanie (Repentance), which seeks to identify individuals involved in war crimes.

Attendance is by prior registration only.

• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On December 17, Kyiv will host the All-Ukrainian “Veterans Restart” Forum, dedicated to medical and psychological rehabilitation, social integration, employment, and developing veterans’ potential through sports and cross-sectoral cooperation.

The forum will bring together representatives from the Defense Forces, relevant ministries, state authorities, local governments, international organizations, diplomatic missions, businesses, and veteran communities. With over one million veterans, Ukraine recognizes the importance of facilitating their return to active social and economic life, making it one of the key state priorities.

The forum’s program includes four thematic blocks:

• Medicine and sports: Innovations in rehabilitation, post-operative support, mental health, and the role of sports in recovery;
• Family and support: Adaptation and resources for families and resilience during a service member’s return;
• Business and career: Developing veteran potential in companies and creating job opportunities;
• Sports and Inclusion: Accessible sports programs for veterans with diverse needs.

International participation is planned, featuring presentations of successful practices and a special address by Anatolii Yehorov, head of the Militari Sport Municipal Enterprise, on the model of municipal veteran rehabilitation through sports.

Information regarding the forum’s time and location will be communicated to participants separately, taking the security situation into account.

Accreditation for the event is required.

For reference: Organizer: Militari Sport Municipal Enterprise of the Kyiv City State Administration

• Kyiv

“Resilient Innovation: Ukrainian Startups Fighting Today” will be presented at Media Center Ukraine.

Participants:

– Łukasz Wawak, Project Manager of the Polish-Ukrainian Startup Bridge;

– Yana Hulak, Project Manager of the Ukrainian Startup Fund.

Key topics:

– Results of the research on the state of Ukraine’s innovation support ecosystem;

– How startups can contribute to Ukraine’s recovery and transformation across various sectors;

– Personal stories of entrepreneurs who continue working to support the economy despite today’s hardships and who will take part in rebuilding the country;

– Current needs of local authorities and institutions involved in regional development and recovery.

For reference: 91% of respondents state that they see clear growth potential for their own startup. One-third of the surveyed startups employ military veterans. Over 45% of respondents rate Ukraine’s current support ecosystem as medium-strong with positive prospects. These figures demonstrate the current state of Ukraine’s startup ecosystem and how Ukrainian startups are actively participating in sustaining and developing Ukraine’s economy. They also show how Ukrainian startups can contribute to Ukraine’s recovery and transformation across various sectors, such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and trade. Each respondent also shared advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and recommendations for international partners on providing effective development support.

• Kyiv

The briefing, “Barrier-Free Ukraine: Launch of a National Public Platform,” will take place at Media Center Ukraine.

Participants:

– Tetiana Lomakina, Advisor-Presidential Commissioner for a Barrier-Free Environment (in person);

– Vitalii Pcholkin, Executive Director of the Group for Active Rehabilitation NGO (in person);

– Alina Frolova, Founder of Centre for Strategic Communications StratCom Ukraine, Founder of the Invictus Games in Ukraine (in person);

– Daria Kukurika, Executive Director of the League of the Strong (in person);

– Yulia Sherstneva, Project Manager at the Center for Expert Solutions and Advocacy (in person);

– Representative of the NGO Fight for Rights (in person);

– Anastasia Boichuk, Strategic Lead of the TRUE – Trauma Rehabilitation for Ukraine, Patients of Ukraine Charitable Foundation (online).

Key topics:

– The signing of a memorandum establishing the Public Platform for the Support of a Barrier-Free Society in Ukraine;

– A discussion of the 2025–2026 Action Plan for implementing the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine through 2030;

– An examination of the public institutions’ role in veteran rehabilitation, equitable access to healthcare, inclusive physical infrastructure, and the legal protection of the rights of people with disabilities.

For reference: Against the backdrop of russia’s full-scale war, Ukraine is confronting an unprecedented social challenge. The number of people with disabilities has risen to 3.4 million, up from 2.8 million at the beginning of 2022. The creation of the Public Platform reflects a coordinated response by civil society leaders working in physical accessibility, veteran rehabilitation, health care, and legal advocacy to meet this urgent national need. The platform is designed to serve as a single, effective mechanism for shaping and overseeing systemic change – spanning veteran rehabilitation, including adaptive sports and psychosocial support, improved access to medical care, expanded physical accessibility, and stronger legal safeguards for the rights of people with disabilities.

• Kyiv

On December 13 and 14, the AdoptMe Days adoption festival, where animals from over 40 shelters will be looking for homes, will take place in Kyiv. This is the nineteenth event, and 2,047 cats and dogs have found their families since the festival began.

A five-month-old cat named Izium became the 2,000th animal to find its pet parents at AdoptMe Days. He was evacuated from the Pokrovsk sector. Izium waited for his people for over two months and found them in October when a family took him home directly from the festival.

Those not ready for adoption can become Secret Santas for shelter animals by participating in a fundraiser, the proceeds of which will be distributed among the shelters at the end of the festival.

• animals
• Kyiv

At 18, she has already endured what many adults never face. When russian forces seized Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson region in 2022, she was just fourteen. Her family survived the first months of the occupation in the basement of their home – without electricity, gas, or heat.

This week, Liza boarded a plane for the first time and traveled to the Netherlands to address the 24th session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). She spoke about what it means to grow up under russian control and the toll the war continues to take on children in occupied areas.

“I am not standing here today to elicit sympathy,” she said in her remarks. “I am here to be heard, so that people know what is happening to children in the occupied territories right now.”

Liza now lives in Kyiv, where she is studying psychology and working to help support her mother and younger sister. Still, her thoughts often drift back to Oleshky. She dreams of her neighborhood almost every night. Specialists from the Voices of Children Foundation are working with her to help her process those memories and begin to heal.

Journalists can arrange interviews with Liza in Kyiv by prior request.

• children
• occupation
• russian crimes
• Kyiv