Celebrate Ukrainian Culture and Strength with Vyshyvanka Day!

Published: May 13, 2024

#RazomVyshyvankaDay 🇺🇦

As we gear up to celebrate Vyshyvanka Day on May 16th, let’s delve into the significance of this intricate embroidered garment and why it holds such a profound place in Ukrainian culture.

The vyshyvanka is more than just a piece of clothing; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven with history, symbolism, and regional flair. Each stitch and motif carries a deeper meaning, passed down through generations. Here’s a glimpse into the rich symbolism embedded in Ukrainian embroidery:

• Colors hold significant meaning. Red symbolizes passion, love, and prosperity; blue represents peace, sky, and water; yellow signifies the sun, harvest, and joy.

• Ukrainian embroidery can reflect a blend of ancient beliefs and Christian faith. Geometric patterns like circles and squares might represent the sun, earth, or fertility, while Christian symbols like crosses and stars can also be incorporated.

• Embroidery styles and motifs differ across Ukraine’s diverse regions. For example, the Poltava region is known for its colorful floral patterns, while the Chernihiv region features intricate geometric designs.

Why Vyshyvanka Day Matters

Celebrating Ukrainian Culture:
Vyshyvanka Day is a day when Ukrainians worldwide proudly don their embroidered attire, showcasing their solidarity and unwavering commitment to preserving their heritage. It’s a celebration that not only honors the past but also paves the way for future generations to embrace their roots.

Resisting Cultural Erasure:
The vyshyvanka stands as a symbol of resistance. As Russia seeks to undermine Ukrainian identity, this traditional garment becomes a powerful tool of defiance, reminding the world that the spirit of Ukraine cannot be extinguished.

Share your photos on social media using #RazomVyshyvankaDay and #VyshyvankaDay to raise awareness about this important cultural symbol and inspire others to participate.

On Vyshyvanka Day, let’s not only adorn ourselves with the beauty of embroidered patterns but also carry forward the legacy they represent. Let’s stand in solidarity with Ukraine, embracing its culture, history, and unwavering spirit. Together, let’s weave a tapestry of resilience, unity, and hope that transcends borders and generations.

Join the movement, wear your vyshyvanka with pride, and let the world witness the enduring strength of Ukraine.

Surgeons From War-Torn Ukraine Are Receiving Life-Saving Training in the U.S.

Published: May 10, 2024

Razom’s Co-Pilot Project, in partnership with Oklahoma University Health and the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, is bringing skilled surgeons from Ukraine to America for a one-month clinical observership.

Led by Dr. Mark Mims, OU Health’s Operation Ukraine program has sponsored its third cohort of surgeons, who practice in military hospitals in Lviv and Kyiv, tending to wounded soldiers daily.

The primary goal of the observership is to provide these surgeons with advanced training in microvascular and reconstructive techniques, addressing critical gaps in complex care in Ukraine. Before the full-scale invasion, the microvascular subspecialty was unavailable in Ukraine, but it has now become one of the most necessary specialties due to the prevalence of blast injuries.

Through the Co-Pilot Program, Ukrainian surgeons have the opportunity to gain these critical skills. This is done with extensive training, including direct training by American surgeons during medical trips, an observership in America, and continuous mentorship upon their return to Ukraine.

The observership at OU Health is a pivotal component of their training, featuring hands-on experiences, cadaver lab sessions, virtual instruction, and active participation in surgeries with a temporary medical license in Oklahoma. Their training encompasses microsurgery, otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and oculoplastics.

Dr. Panchenko shares, “This opportunity has completely changed my thinking – I now have the skills, experience, and confidence to perform complex microvascular reconstructive surgeries at home.”

Beyond the operating room, the recent cohort of surgeons participated in a grand rounds lecture, a breakfast gathering of local leaders, and a commemorative event in Washington, DC on February 24th, marking the two-year anniversary. Attended by the local Ukrainian community, government senators and representatives, OU community members, donors, doctors, and healthcare staff, these events fostered meaningful discussions, collaborative efforts, and mutual support.

This approach underscores the profound impact of the Co-Pilot Project not only on surgical expertise but also on healthcare networks, partnerships, and advocacy, marking a significant milestone in global healthcare collaboration.

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

Razom Hosts Evening with Ukrainian Conductor Oksana Lyniv

Published: May 10, 2024

On Sunday, April 14, 2024, Razom for Ukraine hosted a Q&A event with maestro Oksana Lyniv, following one of her last performances of “Turandot” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

Maestro Lyniv made history as the first female chief conductor of an Italian opera house at Teatro Comunale di Bologna. Her debut at the Bayreuth Festival with Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman”, marked another milestone as the first female conductor in the festival’s history. With a remarkable career spanning prestigious venues worldwide, Ms. Lyniv finally graced New York with her presence in 2024, as the first Ukrainian conductor to perform at the Metropolitan Opera.

Razom Board Member, Maria Genkin, moderated the discussion that spanned topics from Ms. Lyniv’s creative process to her cultural diplomacy. The assembled guests heard about how much research goes into conducting a new composer and a new opera, prior to performing, such as investigating what musical and historical background composers like Puccini had, at the time of his work. Also discussed, the differences between the production of the Turandot staged in New York City and the previous one she conducted in Rome, Italy in March 2022. That one, directed by Ai Wei Wei, was framed by a political message that included fresh images from Ukraine’s Bucha.

Maestro Lyniv talked about the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, an ensemble that she founded, and how this group is representing Ukraine and performing Ukrainian composers at various international festivals. This work is not only a part of cultural diplomacy, but a vital component of developing the next generation of Ukrainian musicians. The topic of the controversial decision to conduct Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” at the Dresden Opera this July was also touched upon. The conversation explored how “cancel culture” works in various countries, and how Ms. Lyniv is planning to use this performance to change the narrative about this composer.

“I often hear the comparison that when Ukrainians perform works by Russian authors, they seem to be siding with the enemy. But in reality, it works differently. Russian classical works are just a common musical resource. Furthermore, these works no longer surprise anyone, and no political coloring is projected onto them. The works of Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, etc., stand alongside the works of Berlioz, Chopin, Brahms, Beethoven, Ravel, etc., and are perceived as mandatory repertoire that every professional musician should master.

Therefore, Ukrainians who achieve success, including by using “their” Russian repertoire resources, are actually moving forward and advancing in creating new performance opportunities for Ukrainian music. It’s akin to our defenders on the front lines seizing the enemy’s weapons and using them to reclaim new territories.” – explains Ms. Lyniv.

Razom is proud to announce that we will be providing grant support for a visit by four Ukrainian performers from the Youth Symphony Orchestra for a visit to Carnegie Hall’s World Orchestra Week in August. Ukrainian musicians will participate in the European Union Youth Orchestra performance on August 6th. As per maestro Lyniv, while Ukraine is not a part of the European Union, it is an important symbolic measure to have young Ukrainian musicians included in this performance.

Join Razom Connect and discover the beauty of Ukrainian art, history, and voices!

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements!

Together, we can prove to cultural programmers that Ukrainian stories are necessary and that there is a large audience ready for them.

Cleveland International Film Festival Guide: Through Ukrainian Eyes

Published: March 16, 2024

Film festival season is well underway, and Razom Cinema is keeping a close eye on what’s being programmed. The Sundance Film Festival brought another win for a Ukrainian story – the documentary Porcelain War directed by Slava Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo took home the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary Feature. The film is coming to the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) and will be screening together with other stories focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as narrative cinema in a program called Ukrainian Cinema. CIFF 2024 will take place in Cleveland, OH from April 3-13, with CIFF streams available April 14-21.

This program also includes Razom Cinema grantee Rule of Two Walls directed by David Gutnik and produced by Olha Beskhmelnytsina! It is incredible to see Ukrainian cinema be celebrated at international film festivals and we are excited to share our Festival Guide: Through Ukrainian Eyes ClFF 2024 edition. Good news – if you are not able to catch them in Cleveland in person, you can tune in online through CIFF Streams. Here’s what we’ve got:

Rule of Two Walls

In-person: Sat April 6 | KeyBank State Theater

Online: April 14 – 21

In this harsh but elucidating doc, UkrainianAmerican filmmaker David Gunik trains his camera on the Ukrainian artists who have chosen to stay behind as Russia’s invasion rages on around them. By making their art, they hope to protect their embattled country’s own artistic culture, no matter how many bombs drop around them.

Defiant

In-person: Fri April 5 | Upper Allen Theater

Tue April 9 | Upper Allen Theater

Online: April 14 – 21

There’s more than one way to fight a war. Witness the ongoing invasion of Ukraine from inside the battle-torn country’s administration through such officials as the Minister Of Foreign Affairs, the Vice Prime Minister, and the nation’s lead negotiator, as they attempt to broker peace.

Athletes of War

In-person: Wed April 10 | Mimi Ohio Theater

Online: April 14 – 21

How does one fight for the gold when an endless war has taken away a generation of competitors and destroyed their facilities? Meet the dwindling number of Ukrainian athletes as they prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, while trying to survive Russia’s violent invasion of their country.

Porcelain War

In-person: Fri April 12 | Allen Theater

As the Russia-Ukraine war rages mere miles away, Kharkiv-based husband and wife team Slava Leontyev and Anya Stasenko make tiny porcelain figurines. What does it mean to continue with their artistic passions as the world crumbles around them? Winner of the Documentary Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2024.

Forever – Forever

In-person: Fri April 12 | Mimi Ohio Theater

Online: April 14 – 21

Will you survive if nobody loves you? Get an uncompromising glimpse of troubled adolescent life in post-Communist Kyiv through Tonia, the new kid in school, as she tries to assimilate into her new world. But as a love triangle starts to form among the clique, will her past catch up with her?

In-person: Wed April 10 | Allen Theater

Online: April 14 – 21

I am Coming Home

In a war-torn land, a courageous young woman joins the Ukrainian military forces as a sapper, determined to bring peace by clearing the land where she was born. Her journey defies conventions, showcasing the power of individual bravery amidst the chaos of the war.

Our Ukrainian Sky

An unlikely group of lawyers with no previous humanitarian experience, drive used pickup trucks into an active warzone.

A Day in February

In another country, separated from her family, one phone call is all Galyna has to ensure their safety.

Blue Skies Over Donetsk

A Ukrainian father delivers stoves to frontline families without power, all while attempting to create normalcy for his children growing up in a war zone.

Claudio’s Song

A young man faces the wrath of a family of criminals that target people who are famous on the internet and extort money from them. When their scheme fails, the plan to kill him takes an unexpected turn.

Berdyans’k

Lera, a young Ukrainian refugee in Ireland, uses dark web seance software to connect with her sister who has just died on the front line.

Note of Defiance

Filmed in early 2023, on the Ukrainian-Russian border, this short documentary explores two artists’ use of their creativity and art as a means of cultural survival and defiance.

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements!

Together, we can prove to cultural programmers that Ukrainian stories are necessary and that there is a large audience ready for them.

Дивимось і читаймо Українське Разом!

Learn more about Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.

International Orthopaedic Conference: Advancements in Trauma and Arthroplasty

Published: February 1, 2024

Friday, March 29 – Saturday, March 30, 2024

Join us for a comprehensive two-day conference for orthopedic surgeons interested in expanding their knowledge in trauma and arthroplasty. Our panel of speakers is composed of international, national, and regional experts in their respective fields. The conference will encompass a wide array of topics crucial to modern orthopedic practice, including amputations, upper and lower extremity injuries, complex fractures, total joint replacements and more. A dedicated segment will focus on discussing challenging cases that participants submit prior to the conference. A selection of surgeries will be live-streamed in English and Ukrainian with the operating surgeons available to answer questions.

Location:

Hosted by the First Medical Union of Lviv St. Panteleimon Hospital and Unbroken Rehabilitation Center in partnership with Razom for Ukraine

Located in the Clinical Municipal Communal Emergency Hospital Conference Hall at Ivan Mykolaichuk St, 9, Lviv, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine, 79000

Directors:

Schedule:

Friday, March 29, 2024: Presentations with Clinical Case Discussions in the Afternoon
Saturday, March 30, 2024: Live Surgery with available Ukrainian translation

Arthroplasty Topics:

Unicompartmental knee replacement update.
Extensile exposures during hip arthroplasty.
Unicompartmental versus High tibial osteotomy in the athlete.
Periprosthetic fractures; best options for stable fixation.

Trauma Topics:

To be announced

Speakers:

To be announced

Participants:

Ukrainian surgeons with a specialty or interest in orthopedic trauma or arthroplasty.
In-person maximum of 180 participants with an unlimited maximum of online participants.
The conference will be held in English with Ukrainian translation.

For in-person participants, registration includes: entry to conference presentations, case discussions, and conference space with the ability to ask questions during live surgery, refreshments, and lunch for the two conference days, certificate accreditation from Unbroken.

For virtual participants, registration includes: access to all presentations, case discussions, and access link to live surgeries. e-certificate for presentation and participation.

Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided by the conference for both days. Please book your own travel and accommodations to the conference, those will not be included.

By enrolling for the conference, you hereby acknowledge and accept the following terms and conditions:

The organization reserves the right to modify the program, date, and/or venue of the conference at any time without prior notice. The organization is absolved of responsibility for any loss or damage arising from substitution, alteration, postponement, or cancellation of the event due to causes beyond its control. The organization retains the right and holds sole discretion to cancel any conference at any time in the event of unavoidable and unforeseeable circumstances. In the event of cancellation, the organization will make reasonable and suitable alternative arrangements, such as posting the cancellation on the official event website to inform those who have booked arrangements for the event.

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

What to Read and See about Ukraine and Ukrainians in 2024

Published: January 18, 2024

A Journey Through Ukrainian Literature

Explore a rich array of Ukrainian books already translated into English, supported by Razom.

From Volodymyr Rafeyenko’s Mondegreen and his magical realism novel The Length of Days, exploring the annexation of Donetsk, to captivating works by other Ukrainian literary giants like Serhiy Zhadan, Andriy Kurkov, and Oksana Litsyshyna, as well as non-fiction accounts by Stanislav Aseyev, Serhiy Zhadan, and Andriy Kurkov. If you enjoyed “20 Days in Mariupol,” delve into the novel by its director, Mstyslav Chernov, titled The Dreamtime.

Olena Stiazhkina’s books.

Cecile the Lion Had To Die, a novel about the four Donetsk families and two generations, the last Soviet one and the first Ukrainian one. This book was Razom Book Club’s favorite read in 2021, which is why we extended a grant to publish it. This novel has already been taught in a few U.S. universities and received great marks by students and professors. Also, Olena’s diary of Russia’s 2014 take over of Donetsk was published for the first time in English. It was originally written in Russian, but the author decided not to publish it in the original language.

Pre-order copies of both books.

New Translations of Lesia Ukrainka

The modernist Ukrainian writer Lesia Ukrainka (pen name of Larysa Kosach-Kvitka) pioneered a new feminist literature at the forefront of European trends of the time. Born in 1871, her dramas, poetry and prose address concerns ranging from gender and race to feminism and environmentalism.

Harvard University Press is publishing a new translation of Cassandra, a dramatic poem and a translation of Forest Song by Razom’s frequent collaborators Virlana Tkacz and Wanda Phipps of Yara Arts. Cassandra has already played to great reviews in London in 2021, and Yara Arts staged Forest Song online during the Covid quarantine (available online).

Yaroslav Trofimov

Immerse yourself in the riveting firsthand account of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine capturing the heroism and resilience of the Ukrainian people, as recounted by Yaroslav Trofimov, Wall Street Journal’s Chief Foreign Correspondent. The title, Our Enemies Will Vanish, comes from Ukraine’s national hymn.

Artem Chapaye

A stunning debut collection by Artem Chapaye, a Ukrainian writer currently defending his country in Kyiv.

His collection, featuring the celebrated title story The Ukraine, published in the New Yorker in 2022, offers irreverent, tender, uncomfortable and inconvenient narratives.

Other Anticipated Books in 2024

Look forward to new translations of Andriy Kurkov’s novels, Artem Chech’s And Who are You?, Oksana Lutsyshyna’s Love Life, classics by Valerian Pidmohilny and Mike Iohanssen, and a sweeping Second World War novel depicting Kyiv under occupation by Oleksiy Nikitin.

A Journey Through Ukrainian Cinema

20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL

This powerful, award-winning documentary directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning Ukrainian journalist Mstyslav Chernov, is one of the “musts” to watch and spread the word about.

This year, “20 Days in Mariupol” made history for Ukraine by getting on the shortlist for the Academy Awards in two categories – International Feature and Documentary Feature.

Razom is proud to partner with

FRONTLINE | PBS in bringing this documentary to universities around the U.S. through our Ukraine on Campus program.

If you are a student, professor, staff at a university and would like to participate, reach out to info@razomforukraine.org and stay tuned for announcements!

In the meantime, catch the film online and spread the word!

Watch: 20 Days in Mariupol (full documentary) | FRONTLINE and The Associated Press

pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/20-days-in-mariupol

For more updates and where to catch the film next, see

20daysinmariupol.com

IN THE REARVIEW

Another documentary that entered the Razom Cinema network is Polish/Ukrainian/French collaboration called “In The Rearview”. Behind this award-winning film is a small team of filmmakers who put their lives on hold to help Ukraine and ended up documenting the journey. “In The Rearview” is a collection of stories that director Maciek Hamela recorded during his volunteer rescue expeditions to evacuate people from different regions in Ukraine to safety. In the recent Q&A after the screening, producer Anna Palenchuk shared that she and her family had to leave Bucha around the same time as Maciek’s rescue missions. “I could’ve been one of his passengers”, said Anna. Razom supported the documentary during the OSCAR 2024 campaign as it is another Ukrainian story in the run for the nominations.

Follow their social media channels for the latest on upcoming screenings: https://www.instagram.com/intherearview.film/

If you are interested in bringing this film to your community, give us a shout!

A RISING FURY

Razom had the pleasure to support the production of “A Rising Fury”, which is now a critically acclaimed and 96th Academy Award longlisted feature documentary about the Russo-Ukrainian War. Directed/produced by Lesya Kalynska and Ruslan Batytskyi, produced by TJ Collins and Jonathan Borge Lie, the film reveals the true untold story of how the Russo-Ukrainian war began in 2014. It’s a story about love, revolution, deception, and war filmed for nearly 10 years through intimate verité material. The filmmaking team has plans to make the documentary available to stream to the public in the U.S. and abroad in late spring 2024.

Mark your calendar – “A Rising Fury” will have a special screening in LA at TCL Chinese Theater on February 22, 2024 at 3:30PM and 7:00PM. For more information about the film and what’s next for the team, go to https://arisingfury.com/

RULE OF TWO WALLS

In Summer 2023, Razom provided a grant to the documentary team “Rule of Two Walls” to help bring their team and Ukrainian artists featured in the documentary to attend the World Premiere of the film at the Tribeca Film Festival. Since then, the documentary traveled across other prestigious film festivals and will screen in Australia at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival in February.

Executive produced by Liev Schreiber, the film gives an insight into the lives of Ukrainian artists who create art as a defiant act in the face of aggression.

Follow the film page on instagram https://www.instagram.com/ruleoftwowallsfilm/

KLONDIKE

After becoming the first Ukrainian filmmaker to receive the Sundance Award in World Cinema Dramatic Competition in 2022, Maryna Er Gorbach and her film “Klondike” collected various international awards and were Ukraine’s submission to the OSCARS 2022. This past Summer, “Klondike” had its U.S. theatrical release at the Angelika theater. Razom supported the film with a grant during its Oscars campaign.

You can now watch the film online!

Apple TV

Prime video

A BLIND GAME / ГРА В СЛІПОТУ

Ruslan Batytskyi with Anna Borysova created powerful videos that documented Razom’s work and its impact on the ground in Ukraine. Their short documentary highlights the resilience and unbreakable spirit of sportsmen with disabilities – their undying motivation and belief in themselves. You can watch the full film on YouTube for free.

A HOUSE MADE OF SPLINTERS

Another Razom supported film that made noise at the OSCARS 2023 after being nominated for Best Documentary Feature is the film directed by Simon Lereng Wilmont, co-produced by Ukrainian producers Darya Bassel and Vika Khomenko. The film follows the lives of children and the caregivers in an orphanage in Eastern Ukraine as the war in the region takes a heavy toll on families living nearby.

Razom helped assure there is a strong Ukrainian representation at the Oscars by providing a travel grant for the producers and caregivers featured in the documentary.

You can now watch the film on Apple TV

UKRAINIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL

If you didn’t get the chance to attend the film screenings during UCF this past fall, you are able to catch some of them on TAKFLIX – Ukraine’s first streaming service of all things Ukrainian Cinema.

Feature Film:

Pamfir: https://www.takflix.com/en/films/pamfir

Short Films:

Liturgy of Anti-tanks Obstacles: When Ukrainian Artists Prepare for War | Liturgy of Anti-Tank Obstacles | The New Yorker Documentary

I Didn’t Want To Make A War Film: I Did Not Want to Make a War Film | The New Yorker Documentary

Call Me Anytime, I’m Not Leaving The House: https://www.pbs.org/pov/films/callmeanytimeimnotleavingthehouse/

Diaper Cake: https://www.takflix.com/en/films/diaper-cake

Golden Leggings: https://www.takflix.com/en/films/gkchp

FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

Join us for a special screening of Evgeny Afineevsky’s documentary “Freedom on Fire” at the United Nations on February 20, 2024 at 6:30PM. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for further announcements!

VESELKA – DOCUMENTARY

These dear friends of Razom are not only celebrating their 70th anniversary, but also the world premiere of documentary film “Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World” at Village East cinema.

VESELKA | Official Trailer (2024)

Join us on February 23, 2024 to support Veselka, their team, and their generational impact on the community.

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements!

Together, we can prove to cultural programmers that Ukrainian stories are necessary and that there is a large audience ready for them.

Дивимось і читаймо Українське Разом!

Learn more about Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.

Razom Congratulates Ukrainian Films in the Running for the 2024 Oscars

Published: December 22, 2023

Razom Congratulates Ukrainian Films in the Running for the 2024 Oscars

December 21st brought us the long awaited news of shortlisted films for the 2024 Oscars (Academy Awards). Razom is celebrating the incredible accomplishments of every Ukrainian story that became a contender for an Oscar, and those that went on to fill up the slots on the shortlist for the award. Over the years, Razom Cinema has supported films that amplify Ukrainian voices and center stories from Ukraine, and this year we congratulate all of our filmmakers not only on this accomplishment, but also for the impactful work that led to this point.

SHORTLISTED FILMS

20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL

Trailer: 20 Days In Mariupol (trailer) | FRONTLINE

Synopsis: An AP team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggle to continue their work documenting atrocities of the Russian invasion. As the only international reporters who remain in the city, they capture what later become defining images of the war: dying children, mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital, and more. (20daysinmariupol.com)

“20 Days in Mariupol” is shortlisted for the Documentary Feature category as well as the International Feature category, where it represents Ukraine. Razom, along with other partners, has supported the film during its U.S. theatrical release, as well as helping bring the documentary to various communities around the U.S. This film is currently available to watch online (U.S. territory) on YouTube as well as PBS Frontline.

IN THE REARVIEW

Trailer: IN THE REARVIEW Trailer | TIFF 2023

Synopsis: In the Rearview is an authentic, intimate observation of war as it unfolds, following multiple generations of Ukrainian civilians as they abruptly abandon their homes and rely on the help of director Maciek Hamela’s volunteer aid van to escape the life-threatening conflict. As he steers through minefields to leave Ukraine and tries to get through numerous military checkpoints, Hamela offers us a seat in his car, guiding the documentary from behind the wheel and behind the camera, crisscrossing the roads of Ukraine to transport uprooted refugees safely to Poland. The van traverses tens of thousands of kilometers and serves as a waiting room, hospital, shelter, and zone for confidences and confessions among compatriots thrown together by chance. (intherearview.eu)

“In the Rearview” is shortlisted for the Documentary Feature category. Razom provided a grant to the film team in order to support their screenings in key cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, which were part of the Oscar campaign. Keep an eye out for more screenings in the new year!

OSCAR 2024 QUALIFIERS FROM RAZOM CINEMA

A RISING FURY

Trailer: “A Rising Fury” | Trailer | Stockholm International Film Festival 2022

Synopsis: “A RISING FURY” follows two hopeful Ukrainian idealists from the peaceful protest in Kyiv in 2013 to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Pavlo and Svitlana met and fell in love at the Maidan Revolution and were filmed nearly 10 years with several expeditions to the frontlines of the war. When Russia invaded Crimea and Donbas in 2014, Pavlo lost his family home and joined the Ukrainian military effort. To defend his nation, he engages in deadly firefights against former friends and a close military instructor who join Russian forces. As Svitlana transports food and medical supplies, both find themselves on the battle lines, protecting their land, democracy, and their relationship. This film reveals the true untold story of how the Russo-Ukrainian war began nearly 10 years ago. (arisingfury.com)

“A Rising Fury” recently had an incredible US theatrical release in NYC (watch a conversation between director Lesya Kalynska and Professor Timothy Snyder). This came after their successful festival run that started from Tribeca Film Festival in 2022. Razom is proud to have supported the making of this vital film that shines light and provides insight into the beginning of this nearly ten-year war while following the heroic journey of Pavlo.

SUNFLOWER FIELD

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/882754612

Synopsis: Under the shadowy threat of war, a young Ukrainian girl awaits a call from her father. As she waits, the day turns into night and she sinks into various dreamscapes from which she must find her way home.

“Sunflower Field” just recently wrapped its festival journey – taking home the award for Best Short Animation from Oscar-qualifying Woodstock Film Festival. Razom provided support with community engagement where the filmmaker was also able to connect with several Ukrainian schools in different states to not only screen the animation, but also engage with Ukrainian children by inviting them to become part of the animation.

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements on how to catch these films and more! In the meantime, we urge you to connect with your local theaters, art institutions, and other locations where you could potentially host a screening of one of these films (or reach out if you’re looking for more). Together, we can prove to cultural programmers that Ukrainian stories are necessary and that there is a large audience ready for them.

Дивимось Українське Разом!

Razom Culture

Empowering Tomorrow’s (and Today’s) Leaders: A Recap of Our Ukraine on Campus Stipend Program at ASEEES 2023

Published: December 15, 2023

Against the backdrop of academia, in particular, Slavic and Eastern European Studies reckoning with the need to decolonize and decenter Russian narratives in higher education, Razom’s Ukraine on Campus stipend program helped bring five students to the 55th annual convention of the Association for Slavic, East European, & Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) in Philadelphia, from November 30 – December 3. The selected students came from different backgrounds, academic concentrations, and connections to Ukraine, but each leveraged their attendance at the Convention to bring new energy and ideas to efforts around progressing the study of Ukraine and creating sustainable opportunities for engaging with Ukraine across U.S. university campuses.

In addition to stipends, Ukraine on Campus created spaces where attendees could build community, find overlap in their work, and coordinate ways in which they can collaborate in their studies and academic careers. On top of the extensive ASEEES schedule, the project hosted a number of Ukraine on Campus engagements and promoted specific segments of the ASEEES program to help give stipend recipients, local students, and interested academics the opportunity to connect as they take on decolonizing their fields and championing the study of Ukraine.

Decolonizing the Academic Landscape: Ukraine at ASEEES

The ASEEES Convention provided a platform for 37 academics, researchers, and professors from Ukrainian institutions to present their work. Many other academics from around the United States and the world also attended to discuss their research on Ukraine. With a staggering 220 panels, roundtables, and other events featuring or including Ukraine, attendees were immersed in a rich tapestry of Ukrainian academia, literature, and film. Programming about Ukraine and by Ukrainians saw incredible turnout, with attendees sitting on floors and standing in hallways outside of the conference rooms to hear and engage with Ukrainian voices.

Who They Are: Ukraine on Campus Stipend Recipients

Five students, across all degree levels, were selected as stipend recipients:

William Ronald Debnam, Columbia University, pursuing a PhD in Ukrainian Studies and instructor of Elementary Ukrainian
Anastasiia Pereverten, University of Wyoming, pursuing a B.A. in International Studies
Viktoriia Savchuk, University of Maryland, pursuing a PhD in Communications
Oleksii Shebanov, Brown University, pursuing an A.B. in Intellectual History & Slavic Studies
Iryna Tofan, New York University, pursuing an MA in Museum Studies

Razom also supported local students in engaging with the ASEEES 2023 program and attending academics, researchers, and voices on Ukraine. Through our programming, students were able to connect one-on-one with experts and community leaders such as Emily Channell-Justice, Serhii Plokhy, Olena Lennon, Bishop Borys Gudziak, Volodymyr Sheiko, Halyna Hryn, Vitaly Chernetsky, Sophia Wilson, and many other academics from Ukraine and beyond. Viktoriia also presented during 3 panels and stipend recipients were often the first to ask questions and engage in discourse in and around the panel discussions.

Victory Reads: Olena Stiazhkina

Another highlight of the convention was the collaboration between Razom and the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI). Razom, in partnership with HURI, organized a compelling book talk featuring Olena Stiazhkina, attracting a full auditorium and showcasing the appetite for engaging discussions around Ukrainian contemporary literature. Stiazhkina, whose recent book tour in NYC Razom proudly amplified, discussed her two forthcoming books to be published in English in 2024:Ukraine, War, Love and Cecil the Lion Had to Die, which was translated with the support of Razom Translates.

Local Spotlight: University of Pennsylvania

The Ukraine on Campus team, advisors, and stipend recipients had the opportunity to visit the University of Pennsylvania and join the Ukrainian Student Association at Penn for Ukrainian Tea Time on campus. Ukrainian Tea Time, hosted by professor of Ukrainian language, Kseniia Power, was an opportunity for cross-campus engagement between Ukrainian language instructors, student leaders on their respective campuses, and young academics studying Ukraine and interested in engaging with ASEEES to decolonize the field.

Ukraine on Campus: Stipends & Beyond

Razom’s Ukraine on Campus project was pleased to offer travel stipends to students who were interested in attending this year’s ASEEES Convention. Travel grants were available to partially offset the costs of Convention attendance. The project, which features a directory of 60+ Ukrainian student groups across U.S. university campuses, is a developing initiative focused on connecting students interested in championing Ukraine and mobilizing the resources they need to activate their campuses in support of a Ukrainian victory. Its goal is to engage student activism both on campus and beyond through conferences, event tours, and more.

To support initiatives such as Ukraine on Campus as well as all the work that Razom is doing to support a secure, prosperous and democratic Ukraine, please donate HERE.

Restoring Hope: Razom’s Co-Pilot Project Brings VNS Therapy to Ukraine

Published: November 30, 2023

In the fight against epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, the Co-Pilot Project, an initiative under the auspices of Razom Health, has emerged as a beacon of hope for children in Ukraine. Through a generous grant from LivaNova, the leading producer of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) systems, Co-Pilot has brought this life-changing therapy to Ukraine, offering a lifeline to children whose seizures have proven resistant to conventional treatment methods.

The Power of VNS Therapy

VNS therapy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, involves implanting a small device called a neurostimulator under the skin, connected to the vagus nerve. This nerve, which runs from the brain to the abdomen, plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including seizure activity. The neurostimulator sends mild electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, helping to reduce seizure frequency and severity.

VNS is currently most commonly used for children who have partial seizures that do not respond to traditional interventions.

In Lviv, Ukraine, Mykhailo Lovga, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the First Medical Union, has successfully implemented the VNS system, bringing relief to six epileptic children. The first two surgeries, for Oleksandra from Mykolaiv and Denys from Dnipro, have been resounding successes.

Denys, a 9-year-old boy, has battled epilepsy since the age of three. Despite numerous medications and brain surgery, his seizures persisted. VNS therapy has offered him a renewed chance to live a normal life. Within three weeks of the operation, Denys has experienced a significant reduction in seizure activity.

In Kyiv, Konstantin Kostiuk, MD, PHD, Chief of Neurosurgery at the Romodanov Neurosurgery Institute, has introduced VNS therapy to a 10-year-old boy named Roman. Roman’s epilepsy, characterized by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, has proven resistant to conventional treatments, including over ten anti-seizure medications and a ketogenic diet. VNS therapy represents another ray of hope for Roman, and the team is anticipating positive outcomes in the coming months.

The Co-Pilot Project’s success in implementing VNS therapy in Ukraine is a testament to the power of partnership and innovation. Working closely with local medical experts, Co-Pilot has ensured that these life-changing treatments reach the children who need them most.

Your support is crucial in enabling Co-Pilot to continue its work of providing life-changing medical care to children in Ukraine. Please consider donating to Razom and help us bring hope to those who need it most.

Together, we can make a difference.

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

Celebrating Ukrainian Culture: Highlights from the New York Ukrainian Cultural Festival

Published: November 22, 2023

Celebrating Ukrainian Culture: Highlights from the New York Ukrainian Cultural Festival

This year’s inaugural festival, founded by Razom in partnership with Yara Arts, the Shevchenko Scientific Society and the Ukrainian Institute of America, took place from November 7 – 19 in New York City. It was dedicated to the memory of renowned Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina, who tragically lost her life this past June when Kramatorsk was attacked.

“We decided to hold a cultural festival in New York to preserve her memory and the cause she was passionate about, the New York Literary Festival that she founded. Amplifying Ukrainian voices and cultural diplomacy here in the States are core principles of Razom’s mission, which we wanted to advance with this initiative. In general, over a thousand people connected with the festival, many of whom were not Ukrainian,” shared Razom Board member, Maria Genkin.

Various cultural events took place in Manhattan during the festival that focused on Ukrainian literature, music and cinema.

“We included a diverse range of films, opening with ‘Dovbush’ and hosting a packed evening with a selection of short films, concluding with ‘Pamfir’ receiving a standing ovation,” explained Polina Buchak, film curator at Razom.

Four events were dedicated to Ukrainian poetry. Poets Alex Averbukh, Boris and Lyudmila Khersonsky, and Iya Kiva read their poetry in the original, while translators or actors read in English. In events produced by Yara Arts Group, poetry from the Executed Renaissance generation of writers, Victoria Amelina, and Serhiy Zhadan, was featured.

In addition, the New York Public Library hosted a meeting with Ukrainian writers. Andrii Kurkov, Oksana Lutsyshyna, and Olena Styazhkina presented their novels published in America this year to over a hundred readers who attended.

During the festival, the public discovered the music of Sergei Bortkiewicz. Musicians Anna Shelest, Pavlo Hintov, and Oleksandr Chaplynsky performed works by this little-known composer born in Kharkiv at the end of the 19th century.

Throughout the festival, organizers raised funds for Amelina’s beloved “New York Literary Festival”. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped organize this extraordinary celebration of Ukrainian culture and to all who attended!

Stay tuned for more exciting events! To support Razom: https: razomforukraine.org/donate