Themes by tag: Kyiv

USAID TCA invites the media to the meeting “Ukraine’s National Strategic Narrative: the Second Year of the Full-Scale Invasion” on June 19. For two years, CAT-UA organization has been monitoring the Ukrainian media space and analyzing changes in the public discourse on the war. The media is invited to discuss the annual report, which covers more than 350,000 social media and online media posts between 24 February, 2023 and 24 February, 2024.

This report highlights a significant change in public sentiment: from strong confidence in victory to a weak hope for it. The state narrative has become less clear, and the once coherent story of Ukrainian resistance is now fragmented. In addition, russian narratives in the temporarily occupied territories are getting increasingly more aligned with the occupiers’ communication with the russian audience. Despite these alarming signals, the report contains numerous recommendations for the media that could strengthen Ukraine’s national strategic narrative.

The speaker is Artem Zakharchenko, Head of CAT-UA NGO.

Accreditation is required.

For reference: The event is organized in partnership with the Recovery Window media network.

• Kyiv

On June 30, the capital will host a charity Run of Honor to Remember Rekrut. Rekrut is the call sign of Oleksii Chubashev, a military journalist who created and hosted his program about military training entitled Rekrut.ua. All funds from the registration fees of those participating in the run will be directed to the needs of the International Legion (Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine).

The event includes 5 and 10-kilometer runs, which you can join both in person in Kyiv and online from anywhere in the world. Civilians and the military will participate in the competition, most of whom will cover the distance in their units.

Throughout his life, Oleksii paid a lot of attention to physical training and actively engaged in running and other sports, so his wife, Yuliia Chubasheva, together with the Run Ukraine company, decided to initiate a race in honor of the military man.

Oleksii Chubashev took part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation in the East of Ukraine, and after the start of the full-scale invasion, he joined the International Legion of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. On June 10, 2022, Oleksii Chubashev died in battle near Sievierodonetsk.

Media accreditation for the event starts next week.

For reference: The event is organized by Run Ukraine with Rekrut acting as a co-organizer.

• Kyiv

Journalist accreditation for the Land of Dreams anniversary festival, set to take place in Kyiv from June 21 to 23, is now open. The festival will kick off on June 21 with the Kupailytsia rite, a traditional Kupala tree decorating ceremony, which attendees can participate in. Journalists will also have the opportunity to speak with the festival’s founder, Oleh Skrypka.

This year’s program features 15 thematic areas, 35 ethnic and folklore groups, a book fair, artisan alleys, a children’s playground, and Crimean Tatar and Japanese cultural spaces. New additions include a spiritual mystical stage and a poetry workshop.

The Land of Dreams International Ethno Festival, established in 2004, is Ukraine’s largest and oldest music festival. It aims to support the needs of children and the military. Oleh Skrypka’s Land of Dreams Charitable Foundation will host special meetings and activities.

Highlights include a zone for writing Letters to a Free Crimea, exhibitions on military personnel from Crimea, and a collection for the Crimea Special Forces. The event will also feature frontline poetry written and performed by soldiers. 

Accreditation is required. Journalists can access the detailed festival program and cover the event.

• culture
• Kyiv

Oleksandr Shvachka first mobilized to the Defense Forces in 2015 when russia initially attacked Ukraine. He served in the 79th Air Assault Brigade and was transferred to the operational reserve after demobilization. Oleksandr voluntarily rejoined the military during the full-scale invasion, serving with the 95th Brigade.

In March 2022, while in the Kyiv region, Oleksandr was struck by a tank shell, resulting in the loss of his leg. Initially, he was determined to quickly adapt to a prosthetic and return to his unit. However, his recovery required extensive treatment and rehabilitation. To maintain muscle strength, Oleksandr began exercising and was later contacted by the Strongman Federation of Ukraine.

Driven by a mission to support fellow veterans in their training and recovery, Oleksandr co-founded TRENVET, a mobile app designed to help military personnel locate nearby training facilities or connect with trainers, rehabilitation therapists, and massage therapists, all at no cost.

Currently based in Kyiv, Oleksandr is available for interviews with journalists, both online and in person, by prior arrangement.

For reference: The TRENVET app was developed with support from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, as part of a project by the NGO Association for the Promotion of Physical Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities “Zvytiaha Neskorenykh” (Victory of the Invictus).

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv

On June 15, Kyiv will host the second “Protasiv Yar” festival in memory of Roman Ratushnyi, a civic activist and scout with the 93rd Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar.” The event will begin with a press briefing featuring the festival organizers.

Speakers:

– Svitlana Povaliaieva, writer, mother of Roman Ratushnyi;

– Sofia Cheliak, Executive Director of the Protasiv Yar Festival in memory of Roman Ratushnyi;

– Yulia Bartle, head of the NGO “Let’s Protect Protasiv Yar”;

– Myroslava Barchuk, journalist, TV presenter, Vice President of PEN Ukraine;

– Artur Kharytonov, president of the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine;

– Tetyana Teren, executive director of PEN Ukraine;

– Hryhoriy Baran, Director of the Social Capital Program at the International Renaissance Foundation.

Moderator: Tetiana Vlasova.

Accreditation is required to attend.

The festival aims to continue its mission of promoting contemporary and traditional art, Ukrainian history, human rights initiatives, and honoring the legacy of Roman Ratushnyi. Inspired by Roman’s vision, the festival, held under the motto “Never Fear Anything,” has grown significantly and returns for a second year at Protasiv Yar. 

Journalists will have the chance to gain detailed insights into the festival’s program.

• culture
• Kyiv

The event, which is part of the second Summer School on International Humanitarian Law organized by the Ukrainian Red Cross for civil servants, aims to explore the conventions’ implementation amid the ongoing conflict to be held on June 17. 

Speakers:

– Iryna Vereshchuk, Vice Prime Minister – Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, Head of the Interagency Commission on the Application and Implementation of International Humanitarian Law in Ukraine;

– Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark to Ukraine;

– Gillan Defourne, Chief of Operations of the ICRC Delegation in Ukraine;

– Daria Herasymchuk, Advisor and Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Children’s Rights and Rehabilitation;

– Anton Korynevych, Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;

– Oksana Senatorova, Member of the Interdepartmental Commission on the Application and Implementation of International Humanitarian Law in Ukraine;

– Inna Zavorotko, Deputy Head of the International Law Department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. 

International and Ukrainian experts, along with representatives from the government and non-governmental organizations, will provide their insights on several key issues: the current relevance of the Geneva Conventions, the realities and prospects of their implementation in Ukraine, and whether adherence to International Humanitarian Law truly paves the way to peace. 

Prior accreditation is required for attendance.

• Kyiv

On June 18, Kyiv will see the launch of classes for the “The Veterans’ Theater” pilot project. This initiative, spearheaded by the Public Relations Service of the Territorial Defense Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (TRO Media) in collaboration with the Theater of Playwrights, aims to create an innovative rehabilitation system combining therapeutic effects and the creative potential of veterans.

The project seeks to use modern theater as a medium for rehabilitation and socialization, offering military personnel and their families a platform to discuss their challenges and needs with communities and audiences. It aims to build communication bridges and alleviate emotional stress.

As part of the program, organizers and a group of veterans will collaborate to create a play based on texts that reflect the life experiences, fears, and dreams of the military. Veterans will also participate in an educational program on contemporary theater and explore acting.

The program is estimated to run for two months, with a performance based on veterans’ texts scheduled for August 2024.

• culture
• Kyiv

On June 14, a meeting with the organizers of the National Selection for Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will be held at Media Center Ukraine — Ukrinform in Kyiv. During the event, Suspilne will present a songwriter and a director who will work on this year’s selection. The event will be moderated by Tymur Miroshnychenko, Ukraine’s National Selection for Eurovision commentator and host.

At the event, Svitlana Tarabarova, music producer of the National Selection and

Oksana Skybinska, Head of Delegation for Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest, will tell you everything you need to know about the innovations and participation criteria for this year’s National Selection. The participants include: Tetiana Kovryga, Director of the GoGlobal Educational Foundation, Oksana Pysarieva, a psychologist at the Voices of Children Foundation.

Pre-registration is required.

For reference: Suspilne has simplified the criteria for participation in the National Selection to make it even more accessible for young performers: it is not necessary for them to write their own songs. To take part in the competition and win the opportunity to represent Ukraine on the big stage of Junior Eurovision Song Contest – 2024 in Madrid, Spain, it is enough to record two covers of popular songs and a video introduction.

At the same time, young songwriters still have the opportunity to submit their own song for consideration if they wish. However, this option does not affect their chances of passing to the next stage of selection.

Applications for participation in the National Selection are accepted up until July 3 through the form on the website junior.eurovision.ua

• children
• culture
• Kyiv

On June 18, the presentation of driver’s licenses to women who participated in the “Driving expands opportunities” course will take place in Kyiv.

Participants:

• Pavlo Zamostian, Assistant Representative at UNFPA;
• Maryna Khonda, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration responsible for exercising self-governing powers;
• Denys Darmostuk, Director of the Kyiv Regional Employment Center;
• Anastasiia Liadneva, Head of the Innovative Social Solutions NGO;
• Oleksandr Klyzhko, Head of the Kyiv Service Center of the Interior Ministry;

VONA career hub team.

In September 2023, VONA career and business hub launched “Driving expands opportunities” course. These are Ukraine’s first driving lessons for women who found themselves in difficult life circumstances. The main focus is to expand the professional competences of women, as well as to give them the opportunity to become even more mobile, independent and self-confident.

“Sisters of the Road” courses for women truck drivers will be announced at the event. The courses will be implemented with the support of logistics companies that are partners of VONA hub.

• women
• Kyiv

On June 16, the Equality March will take place in the capital. The main slogan of the Equality March 2024 is “Together for equality and victory.”

The last time such an event was held in Kyiv was in 2021. This year, its format will be somewhat different from previous years due to the wartime conditions.

The Equality March will take place close outside but close to the shelter, as required for security reasons. The route has been agreed with the police. This year’s event will be closed, and the attendance requires prior registration.

• Kyiv
• LGBT