Themes by tag: Kyiv

Mariia is only 18 now, and her story is one of courage and resilience. Before the all-out invasion outbreak, she lived in Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk region, now under occupation, with her stepfather and younger brother. In 2022, her family relocated to Novorossiysk, a city in russia near the border. However, Mariia opposed the move and made the brave decision to return to Ukraine on her own. This year, she began studying at a university in Kyiv, pursuing her dream of becoming an artist. Her boyfriend is currently serving at the front.

Mariia stands ready to share her story with journalists in Kyiv.

• children
• occupation
• Kyiv

Maryna Lytovchenko, a 33-year-old Paralympic table tennis champion from Kharkiv, has proven her fortitude both on and off the court. A bronze medalist at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics and a gold medalist in Tokyo, she has faced challenges far beyond the sports arena.

In the spring of 2022, russian forces shelled Maryna’s alma mater, the H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, leaving parts of it heavily damaged. Determined to help, Maryna took the extraordinary step of auctioning off her gold medal—earned in a match against a russian competitor—to raise funds for the university’s restoration.

She also organized several charity table tennis tournaments in the Czech Republic with colleagues from her sociology department. By February 2023, the fundraising campaign had collected 500,000 UAH, thanks to support from the sports community and compassionate donors. The funds were dedicated to rebuilding the university’s damaged facilities.

Maryna’s determination extends to her academic and athletic pursuits. In 2024, she added a silver medal from the Paris Paralympic Games to her accolades. As a graduate student, she is working on practical recommendations for coaches on training Paralympic athletes while continuing to compete in local tournaments.

She is also an alumna of The Leader (Liderka) school, a program by the NGO Fight For Right that promotes political participation among women with disabilities in Ukraine.

Journalists interested in speaking with Maryna can arrange interviews with her in Kyiv.

• reconstruction
• women
• Kyiv

From November 14 to 16, Kyiv will host Media Days 2024, a key conference for media professionals. This year’s “Media Days” will delve into the challenges media professionals face in the third year of the full-blown war and explore what lies ahead in the post-war landscape.

The panel discussions and public interviews will explore topics such as navigating censorship and self-censorship during wartime, the evolving role of social media and messaging platforms in journalism, the media’s contribution to fostering societal mediation and reintegration, addressing media-related trauma and potential solutions, challenges faced by investigative journalists, strategies for effective communication with international audiences, and more.

A highlight of the event will be a public interview with Nariman Dzhelyal, a prominent Ukrainian Crimean Tatar politician, lecturer, political scientist, and journalist. As Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People since 2013, Dzhelyal also leads the organization’s Information and Analytical Department.

Attendance is limited, with invitations extended at the discretion of the organizers to pre-accredited participants.

For reference: Now in its fourth year, “The Gongadze Prize Media Days” conference is a flagship initiative of the Georgiy Gongadze Prize, bringing together top journalists, editors, media executives, communicators, and representatives from responsible businesses. The event serves as a platform for examining media trends and challenges both in Ukraine and globally.

Media Center Ukraine is a media partner of this year’s event.

• Kyiv

Peaceful demonstrations will take place in 26 cities across Ukraine to draw attention to prisoners of war and missing persons, including the Azovstal defenders and other military personnel still held in enemy captivity.

On November 9, rallies are planned in Okhtyrka, Pavlohrad, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Irpin, Dnipro, and Zaporizhia. The following day, November 10, events will be held in Kyiv, Pivdennoukrainsk, Mykolaiv, Uman, Cherkasy, Poltava, Uzhhorod, Korosten, Obukhiv, Krolevets, Ovruch, Korostyshiv, Kremenchuk, Odesa, Ostroh, and Chernivtsi.

These gatherings aim to remind the public of the ongoing plight of those in captivity and rally support for their release.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

A piece by renowned British street artist Banksy, originally painted in Hostomel, has been relocated to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Monastery National Reserve. The graffiti, created in the aftermath of the Kyiv region’s liberation, portrays a woman in loungewear holding a fire extinguisher and wearing a gas mask. It quickly became a powerful symbol of resilience and renewal.

Shortly after its creation, the mural narrowly escaped theft when someone attempted to remove a section of the wall it was painted on. The artwork was salvaged and is now preserved within the Kyivan Caves Monastery’s grounds. While its exact location within the monastery has not been revealed, staff have invited visitors to explore and share their discoveries on social media.

• culture
• Kyiv

The Women in Drones program, part of the Duck Drones initiative, is empowering women to enter the traditionally male-dominated field of drone manufacturing. Led by Daria Linkova, the initiative challenges gender stereotypes in the industry, proving through experience that women can excel in drone design and manufacturing.

During its inaugural enrollment, the program attracted over 300 applicants. The selection process prioritized candidates eager to develop new skills and remain active in the workforce.

The two-week pre-employment training program includes theoretical lessons, hands-on practice, and piloting exercises. Graduates receive certificates of completion and immediate job offers, opening the door to careers in the growing drone industry.

For a closer look, appointments can be made to meet Daria Linkova and tour the drone production facility in Kyiv.

• women
• Kyiv

On November 11, Kyiv will host the debut of Shevchenko 2.0, a show-performance by the Kharkiv Academic Berezil Theater. Blending history with modernity, the production draws inspiration from the personal diaries of Ukrainian national poet Taras Shevchenko. Through a mix of life events, theatrical expression, avant-garde music, and pop tributes to Great Kobzar’s poetry, the show promises a dynamic reimagining of the poet’s legacy. EL Kravchuk, a celebrated Ukrainian singer, not only plays a pivotal role in the production but also co-developed the concept with academic and physicist Borys Hryniov. The performance combines poignant lyrics with black humor and features original compositions alongside pop homages to Shevchenko’s works, all performed by Kravchuk.

Although rooted in documentary material, Shevchenko 2.0 is staged as a phantasmagoria, incorporating bold theatrical techniques. The production features video projections, elaborate set designs, and chic costumes, creating a visually stunning and energetic spectacle.

The creative team includes: 

• Borys Hryniov – Concept creator and lyricist. An Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Technical Sciences, and Professor.

• Dmytro Ternovyi – Playwright. Winner of numerous playwriting competitions, including international accolades. His works have been published and staged in Austria, Germany, France, Poland, and Ukraine.

• Oleksandr Kovshun – Director. With 27 productions in his repertoire, he has collaborated with seven Ukrainian theaters and three international cultural institutions. His accolades include two theater awards and participation in 35 festivals across 10 countries.

• Kostiantyn Ponomariov – Production designer. Renowned as Kharkiv’s leading fashion designer, as well as a prominent set designer and art critic.

• Mykhailo Tereshchenko and EL Kravchuk – Performers portraying Taras Shevchenko.

For reference: The Kharkiv Academic Ukrainian Drama Theatre, originally named Berezil, is among Ukraine’s oldest cultural institutions. Established in Kyiv in 1922 by visionary director Les Kurbas, the theater was transferred to Kharkiv in 1926 when the city served as Ukraine’s capital.

Kurbas, a trailblazer in Ukrainian theater, was dismissed in 1933 under accusations of “distorting” optimistic Soviet ideals. He, along with playwright Mykola Kulish, was executed in the Sandarmokh forest on November 3, 1937, during Stalin’s purges.

Despite its proximity to the russian border, ongoing war, and reduced state funding, the theater continues to innovate under chief director Stepan Pasichnyk, producing new works, securing grant-funded projects, and performing for Ukrainian defenders. 

• culture
• Kyiv

Oleksandr Tereshchenko, a veteran of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, is turning personal tragedy into a mission to assist others. In 2015, while defending Donetsk airport, Tereshchenko sustained critical injuries, losing his right arm and left hand. Today, he leads the International Charitable Foundation bearing his name and has launched a social project titled “I Did, So Can You” to help fellow veterans navigate life after amputation.

The initiative includes a series of 12 films featuring practical advice on everyday tasks for those with similar injuries. Drawing on his own experiences, Tereshchenko demonstrates how individuals with amputated arms can handle daily challenges. The project primarily targets military personnel who recently lost limbs and are struggling to adjust to their new reality.

Set for completion in 2025, the project aims to assist not only the veterans but also their families. According to Tereshchenko, the videos will provide loved ones with insights into supporting amputees on their journey toward independence.

Those interested can arrange in-person meetings with Tereshchenko in Kyiv or Lviv. Journalists are also welcome to observe the filming process by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Kyiv
• Lviv

In Kyiv and its surrounding region, the Ukrainian Valkyrie NGO is equipping women with essential self-defense skills. The organization’s training sessions aim to dispel fears around weapons, instill a culture of responsible handling, and teach practical armed defense techniques. The initiative seeks to empower women—whether wives, mothers, or professionals—to safeguard themselves and their loved ones from potential threats.

Classes are held four times a week and incorporate two core elements: mental resilience and armed defense training. Participants can practice using a multimedia shooting simulator, learn the basics of firearm laws, and engage in practical shooting drills with rifled and smoothbore weapons. The program also includes first aid and psychological preparation, ensuring a comprehensive approach to safety and security.

The program attracts women from diverse professions, including teachers, accountants, IT specialists, police officers, firefighters, artists, psychologists, models, and bloggers. Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, approximately 3,500 women have completed the training, with many going on to serve in Ukraine’s armed forces.

Media representatives can arrange to observe and report on these training sessions in Kyiv and the region.

• women
• Kyiv

The Territory of Change conference serves as a platform for the exchange of innovative ideas aimed at advancing Ukraine’s development and recovery across multiple sectors, including public administration, urban planning, environmental sustainability, economics, migration, finance, and demographics.

The event will feature speakers from government, business, academia, and the public sector, who will explore strategies for turning these ideas into reality. The most promising proposals will be presented to experts for evaluation and may receive support for implementation.

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) backs the event, with the Media Center Ukraine serving as the media partner.

• Kyiv