Themes by tag: Lviv

French journalist and blogger Sébastien Gobert, who has been living in Ukraine for years, has been a steadfast supporter of the Ukrainian Armed Forces since the start of russia’s all-out invasion. Recently, he discovered that Jonathan Delport, a former French soldier, is now serving with the Ukrainian military. During a mission, Delport was seriously wounded and almost died due to delays in evacuation caused by a lack of vehicles.

Motivated to make a difference, Gobert decided to take action by launching a charity bike ride from Lviv to Brussels. Over 25 days, he cycled through five countries, covering 2,000 kilometers, and raised 320,000 hryvnias to purchase a pickup truck for Delport’s unit.

Gobert plans to return to Ukraine soon. He is available for online conversations or in-person meetings in Lviv after his arrival.

• volunteers
• Lviv

On October 4, the media representatives are invited to the opening of “Memory of the Theater,” a new exhibition that merges theatrical artifacts with modern sculpture, as part of Lviv Sculpture Week 2024. This collaborative project, presented by the Maria Zankovetska Theater and Ya Gallery Art Center, is curated by Pavlo Gudimov and will be open to the public from October 5 through December 1, 2024.

The exhibition will transform the theater’s opulent space into an immersive installation featuring items tied to the theater’s history, alongside contemporary sculptures by renowned artists such as Mykola Malyshko, Olexa Furdiyak, Volodymyr Semkiv, Denys Shymanskyi, Ivan Samotos, Oleksii Abramov, Volodymyr Loboda, Vasyl Hrynevych, Rostyslav Karpukhin, Olha Bezpalkiv, Olena Blank, Vasyl Zvizhanskiy, Oleksii Konoshenko, Hanna Druhl, Yaroslav Motyka, Mariana Motyka, Oleksii Zolotariov, Ihor Kovalevych, and others.

The centerpiece of the exhibition includes a variety of items linked to the theater’s legacy and backstage life, many of which have never been showcased publicly before. These artifacts range from dressing room cabinets, stage models, and vintage wigs to unique objects like counterweights used for moving scenery and old containers for storing props—pieces typically hidden away in dressing rooms, storage areas, and even the theater’s museum collection.

Event speakers:

• Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of Lviv Oblast Military Administration;
• Andriy Sadovyi, Mayor of Lviv;
• Pavlo Gudimov, Curator of the Exhibition and Lviv Sculpture Week;
• Maksym Holenko, General Director and Artistic Director of the Maria Zankovetska National Theater.

• culture
• Lviv

Oleksandr Pivniev enlisted in the military at the age of 19. Before joining the Ukrainian Armed Forces, he studied at the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv University of Air Force but left before graduation to serve with the 203rd Training Aviation Brigade in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region. Later, he transferred to the 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. In 2016, while stationed near Toretsk, he came under a mortar attack and sustained life-threatening injuries. Oleksandr survived four cardiac arrests, a shattered left leg, and the amputation of his right leg.

What followed was a two-year journey of rehabilitation and prosthetic fitting in the United States. 

Yet, in 2018, Oleksandr made the remarkable decision to return to active duty. At the onset of russia’s full-scale invasion, he took command of the anti-aircraft artillery unit of the 126th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in Odesa. He attributes his comeback to his desire to reunite with his comrades. Sports, especially adaptive training under the “Games of Heroes” program and competing in various athletic events, played a crucial role in his recovery. Today, Oleksandr remains active in both sports and military service. 
Currently, Oleksandr Pivniev is abroad and available for online interviews. In November 2024, he plans to be in Lviv or Kharkiv and will be open to in-person meetings with journalists.

• military
• Kharkiv
• Lviv

To help children and their parents cope with the psychological effects of the war, mobile teams of psychologists from the Voices of Children charity foundation travel to villages and small towns where there are no specialists, relevant institutions or reliable public transport. They organize individual and group psychological and psychosocial support for children and parents affected by the war (IDPs with destroyed homes and other losses).  

By prior arrangement, journalists can cover the group sessions and talk to the participants (children and their parents).

Coverage can focus on the work of the mobile psychological teams in the Kyiv region (on 30 September at the modular town for temporarily displaced persons in the village of Liubymivka), as well as in the Mykolaiv and Lviv oblasts.

Background: Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 102,000 children and parents have received various types of support. In Ukraine, the Voices of Children Foundation currently operates 13 centers and an online helpline providing free psychological support. Over 200 psychologists and psychotherapists are working to preserve the childhoods and smiles of Ukrainian children.

• children
• psychological support
• Kyiv
• Lviv
• Mykolaiv

Oleh Hural enlisted in the Ukrainian military in April 2020, signing a contract with the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade. He took part in the Kharkiv counteroffensive during the all-out invasion. In November 2022, a severe injury on the front line left him permanently blind.

Despite undergoing two surgeries, Oleh’s sight could not be restored. Unable to return to military service, he began working from home with his mother, producing and selling handmade dumplings. However, his career took a new direction when he trained to become a massage therapist. Today, Oleh works at the Halychyna Rehabilitation Center, helping fellow wounded soldiers on their path to recovery. His mother accompanies him to the bus, but he has since mastered navigating the commute alone, counting steps and memorizing landmarks over two years. While he continues his search for medical experts who might restore his sight, Oleh remains committed to his work. 

For reference: Oleh Hural lives in the Lviv region and is open to interviews, either online or in person, by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• Lviv

On September 26, Lviv residents are invited to take part in the 19th Red Brunch Donor Day, an initiative led by the Yanina Sokolova Foundation to gather blood donations for Ukrainian military personnel. 

The event aims to save lives while promoting a culture of responsible donation across the country. 

For reference: Since 2019, the Foundation has been breaking down stereotypes surrounding blood donation by hosting Red Brunches at major offices, hotels, and hubs. These events feature refreshments, networking opportunities, and incentive gifts for participants. To date, 2,887 donors have contributed, helping to save over 9,156 lives.

• volunteers
• Lviv

During russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church priests Bohdan Heleta and Ivan Levytskyi continued to serve their parish in occupied Berdiansk, located in the Zaporizhia region. On November 16, 2022, russian forces abducted them. The soldiers reportedly came directly to the church, offering Father Bohdan a chance to cooperate—an offer both priests declined. Soon after, the russians claimed they had allegedly discovered weapons inside the church.

Father Bohdan spent nine months imprisoned in Berdiansk before being transferred to a penal colony in Horlivka, within the occupied Donetsk region, where he endured another ten months. In total, he spent a grueling year and a half in captivity. Throughout his imprisonment, Father Bohdan endured harsh conditions, often sleeping on the floor and being subjected to the constant sounds of others being tortured by the russians. While in solitary confinement in Berdiansk, he was forced to listen to Soviet-era music playing through a speaker for hours on end, an experience that pushed him to the edge of sanity. The abuse only worsened in Horlivka.

On June 28, 2024, both Father Bohdan and Father Ivan were finally freed during a prisoner exchange.

Journalists can arrange interviews with Father Bohdan, either in person in Lviv or virtually, by prior agreement.

• occupation
• prisoners
• religion
• russian crimes
• Lviv

The Bridge of Trust team is building an ecosystem for Ukrainian startups and international investors. They are bringing nearly 100 investors from 12 countries to the IT Arena tech conference.

The Bridge of Trust is a non-profit organization that aims to channel support from Western countries to Ukraine, in particular by bringing together international investors and Ukrainian startups. The organization was founded by Jussi Muurikainen, a Finnish venture capitalist, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“We want to build a long-term ecosystem based on trust, which means creating connections, structures and channels through which Ukrainian startups can get contacts and mentoring support. International investors, in turn, can make good investments in promising local startups and help Ukraine,” Jussi said.

Journalists can learn more about the company’s activities and speak with Jussi Muurikainen. Interviews with foreign investors are also possible by prior arrangement.

• Lviv

Irena Danysh is an American with Ukrainian roots. She has traveled the world teaching English in various countries. She first visited Ukraine in 2003, and in 2022 she left Seattle and moved to Lviv. Irena says she wasn’t afraid of the war because she had worked extensively with humanitarian organizations and understood that Lviv was quite safe.

The American got a job as a teacher at one of the higher education institutions. She also volunteers at a charity working with young people. Irena says she feels not only American, but also Ukrainian, and plans to continue living in Ukraine.

For reference: You can talk with Irena Danysh online. On November 17, the American will return to Ukraine and will be available for offline meetings.

• volunteers
• women
• Lviv

On September 27, Lviv will host IT Arena 2024, a three-day, English-language technology conference. The event, which annually attracts over 5,000 entrepreneurs, innovators, and thought leaders, offers a platform for discussions, business networking, and inspiration.

Since its inception over a decade ago, IT Arena has played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of Ukraine’s tech industry. This year’s edition will expand its focus, offering new opportunities for startups and local companies.

Journalists are invited to explore the program and cover the event, with accreditation required for attendance.

• Lviv