Themes by tag: Kyiv

On July 23, the final removal of the protective coverings and professional cleaning of the Mykola Lysenko monument will take place near the National Opera of Ukraine in Kyiv. The event continues the “Weeks of Improvement for Kyiv’s Historic Monuments” initiative, under which the capital’s landmark monuments are being uncovered after protective conservation and restored to a well-maintained condition.

The initiative is organized by the Department of Culture of the Kyiv City State Administration and the Shevchenkivskyi District State Administration in Kyiv, with support from the service company INWHITE (LLC “INWHITE”).

The first stage of the initiative began on June 25 at Mykhailivska Square with the professional cleaning of the monument to Princess Olha. The next site will be the monument to Mykola Lysenko — composer, pianist, conductor, educator, folklorist, and one of the key figures of Ukrainian musical culture. His name is closely associated with the development of Ukrainian classical music, the preservation of folk song traditions, and the formation of Ukraine’s national school of music.

Journalists are required to obtain accreditation.

Background: The work is being carried out on a charitable basis without the use of municipal budget funds. For INWHITE, participation in the project is a continuation of its Clean Day social initiative and a charitable contribution to the city as the company marks its 20th anniversary.

• culture
• Kyiv

On July 22, the Media Center Ukraine will host a briefing titled: “Life-saving inventions: Students from frontline Donetsk Oblast win young inventors competition.”

Participants:
– Ben Cohenburger, American attorney;
– Varvara Skrypnyk, co-founder and deputy director of Ukraine Invention Convention;
– Stepan Zots, student from Kramatorsk, inventor;
– Yaroslava, student from Sloviansk, inventor.

Topics for discussion:
– scientific opportunities for students in Donetsk Oblast;
– achievements of young Ukrainian inventors on international platforms.

Background: Ukraine Invention Convention is Ukraine’s first young inventors competition based on the NextMinds (Connecticut Invention Convention) model, the oldest invention program in the United States, which has nurtured more than 300,000 young inventors. Students complete seven stages — from identifying a real-life problem to creating a working prototype — and compete with peers from more than 30 countries. For children growing up during war, inventing restores something essential: the feeling that they can change the world.

• children
• Kyiv

A new free-of-charge training programme, “Humanitarian Demining Sapper,” will begin in Kyiv on July 20.

The programme is open to family members of veterans, currently serving military personnel, prisoners of war, those missing in action, and fallen Ukrainian defenders.

Participants will gain the knowledge and practical skills required to work in humanitarian demining. The programme covers mine safety, explosive ordnance identification, non-technical land survey methods, the use of specialized equipment, UAV operations, and international safety standards. Much of the course focuses on practical training in controlled conditions.

The programme lasts 10 weeks. Upon successful completion, participants receive a state-issued certificate awarding the qualification of “Sapper (Demining).” More than 40 veterans have already completed the programme.

By prior arrangement, journalists are welcome to attend practical training sessions in Kyiv and report on the programme.

Background: The programme was initiated and is organized by the Unconquered Foundation, founded by veteran Ihor Bezkaravainyi and psychologist Olena Vyshnevetska. The foundation works in three key areas: professional retraining for veterans, psychological support, and recovery through adaptive sports.

The project is implemented by the Unconquered Foundation with financial support from the Republic of Korea through ITF Enhancing Human Security.

• Kyiv
• demining

On July 19, the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre will host a performance of the tragicomedy “The Elevator Director,” based on the real-life stories of Ukrainian defenders undergoing rehabilitation at the UNBROKEN Center.

The play offers an intimate look into life inside a rehabilitation center, capturing its rhythm and the warmth of the relationships between patients and staff. Every scene takes place inside an elevator, where chance encounters lead to moving and often humorous conversations.

“The Elevator Director” was created as part of the Theatre of the Unbroken initiative at UNBROKEN. The play was written by veterans Pylyp Khvorostiankin, Ruslan Pryhoda, and Roman Onuchko in collaboration with playwright Iryna Harets.

Journalists are invited to attend the premiere and share the stories of Ukrainian service members for whom theatre has become a way to cope with trauma and adapt to life in new circumstances.

Media accreditation is required.

• culture
• Kyiv

From July 19 to August 9, Kyiv will host “Guardians of Freedom,” an exhibition of large-scale paper cuttings by Ukrainian artist Daria Alyoshkina. The exhibition features seven monumental works, each measuring up to 2.5 meters, brought to life through light, shadow, and Ukrainian symbolism.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors will be able to support the “Lovchyky” project, which organizes educational and cultural trips for the children of Ukrainian defenders from the 46th Podilska Brigade whose parents were killed, are being held in captivity, or are listed as missing. In September, 20 children will travel to Disneyland Paris. Funds raised will cover transportation, accommodation, meals, and admission to museums and cultural sites.

• culture
• Kyiv

On July 21, Kyiv will host the lecture and discussion Woman. War. Art. Oleksandra Ekster and the First World War, presented by Anna Lodyhina, author of a groundbreaking study of the renowned Futurist artist and creator of an original guided tour of places in Kyiv associated with Ekster.

The lecture will offer a glimpse into the creative process during a time of profound change, highlighting women’s resilience and sensitivity.

The discussion will also feature contemporary Ukrainian artist Polina Kuznietsova, who will speak about how the war has influenced her artistic practice and creative process, as well as share the experiences of fellow women artists.

The discussion will be moderated by Roman Kabachii, Head of the First World War Research Department at the War Museum.

• culture
• Kyiv

On July 18, veterans from the Kyiv Military Hub will take part in the SUBARU TRIATMAN SERIES swimming race in Kyiv, where they will complete a 1-kilometer open-water swim.

Just a few months ago, many of the veterans never imagined they would be able to swim such a distance. Thanks to regular training in the pool and open water under the guidance of coaches from the K-TEAM swimming school, they succeeded.

A major milestone came during the international Oceanman Kyiv 2026 competition on Obolonskyi Island, where the Kyiv Military Hub veterans successfully completed a 1-kilometer open-water swim for the first time in their lives.

• culture
• Kyiv

Yehor Babenko is 27. After finishing school, he enrolled in a border guard officer training program and later signed a military contract. He was serving with a border guard unit in Mykolaiv Region when russia launched its full-scale invasion. On March 9, 2022, he was seriously wounded after a russian munition exploded nearby. Yehor sustained severe burns to his body and face. Due to the extent of his injuries, doctors had to amputate both of his hands at the wrists.

Yehor spent a long time undergoing treatment abroad before returning to Ukraine, where doctors were able to restore his voice. He then started sharing his story on social media.

His online presence led a theatre company for veterans to invite him to join its production of Eneida, directed by Akhtem Seitablaiev. Yehor now plans to take part in other theatre projects as well.

He also works as a psychologist at the TYTANOVI Rehab sports rehabilitation center for veterans, where he helps fellow veterans overcome the consequences of trauma and recover.

Journalists can arrange an interview with Yehor Babenko either online or in person in Kyiv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

On July 15, Kyiv will host the presentation of the report “Beyond the Battlefield: russia’s Information War Against Ukraine’s European Future.”

The report, prepared jointly by analysts from the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) and the European External Action Service (EEAS), examines how russian information manipulation and interference seek to undermine Ukraine’s path to EU membership.

Participants:

– Andriy Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Public Diplomacy, officer of the Ukrainian Defense Forces;

– Anahit Khoperia, Deputy Head of the Center for Public Diplomacy;

– a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine;

– a representative of the Security Service of Ukraine;

– a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;

– a representative of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Media registration is open until 3:00 p.m. on July 14.

• russian crimes
• Kyiv

The Center for Civil Liberties invites journalists, representatives of civil society, government institutions, and international organizations to attend a briefing on a new draft law on accountability for international crimes. The event will take place in Kyiv on July 15.

Since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have registered more than 240,000 international crimes related to russian aggression. Even if the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression becomes operational, it will deal with only a limited number of cases. The vast majority of cases will have to be investigated by Ukraine’s justice system. This is why Ukraine’s Criminal Code must be fully aligned with international criminal law, enabling the country to effectively investigate international crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.

Despite amendments adopted in 2024, Ukraine’s Criminal Code still contains significant gaps. To address them, the Office of the Prosecutor General established an Interagency Working Group that prepared a comprehensive draft law to harmonize Ukrainian legislation with international criminal law. Representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, and Ukrainian and international experts contributed to its development.

During the briefing, participants will present the draft law’s key provisions for the first time. The draft law is important not only for ensuring accountability for international crimes but also for fulfilling Ukraine’s obligations in its European Union accession process.

Speakers:

• Kostiantyn Zadoia, Doctor of Law, Professor at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, expert at the Center for Civil Liberties;
• Stanislav Petrenko, Head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in the Context of Armed Conflict, Office of the Prosecutor General;
• Alina Pavliuk, Coordinator of the Lawyers’ Team and Analyst at Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group;
• Mykola Pashkovskyi, Senior Research Fellow at the V. V. Stashys Research Institute for the Study of Crime Problems of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Law, member of the Interagency Working Group on Harmonizing Legislation in the Context of Ukraine’s Ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Moderator: Oleksandra Romantsova, Executive Director of the Center for Civil Liberties.

Journalists are required to register in advance. The exact venue will be shared with registered participants one day before the event.

• russian crimes
• Kyiv