Powering Ukraine Through a Complicated Winter

Published: December 17, 2024

Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure has been a primary target. This past year has brought a deliberate intensification of attacks on energy facilities, with Russia launching daily strikes against power grids and substations across the country. By now, more than 50% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been severely damaged or destroyed, leaving millions of Ukrainians without reliable electricity or heat during the coldest months.

Against this backdrop, Razom has stepped up with solutions tailored to meet urgent needs. Through the Razom Relief program, we delivered 30 charging stations and 13 high-capacity generators to civil society organizations and Razom grantees, ensuring they can continue their life-saving and community-building work.

Charging stations and generators provide the power to sustain education, healthcare, and shelter for displaced families. They enable public spaces and shelters to operate, even in areas heavily affected by Russian violence.

For example, the Korsakiv Center for Contemporary Ukrainian Art in Lutsk, which houses up to 100 internally displaced persons, uses the charging station we provided to power their educational center during the day, and their shelter at night.

Meanwhile, NGO “Platform Ednannia” in Zmiiv, Kharkiv region, now supports approximately 171 people with a fully functioning public space, thanks to the charging station it received.

As temperatures drop, the stakes become higher. The charging stations and generators Razom has delivered are used to not only power lights and phones but also to heat water, cook meals, and provide medical support. In Pershotravensk, Dnipropetrovsk region, a temporary shelter equipped with Razom’s charging station now serves as a sanctuary for older adults and children, offering warmth and a chance to recharge both their devices and their spirits.

Despite these hardships, the Ukrainian people persist. Every charging station, every generator is a reminder that even in the face of relentless attacks, Ukrainians find ways to carry on with life.

Your continued support makes this possible. Together, we’ve invested nearly $75,000 into equipment that directly supports communities in need—assisting everyday people l and enabling hope to thrive, even during the darkest days of winter.

Thank you for standing with Ukraine and Razom. Your generosity ensures that light, warmth, and resilience do not flag in the face of adversity.

Sources:
Kyiv Independent
Politico
Razom for Ukraine Grantee Reports

4th Medical Trip of American Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons

Published: December 12, 2024

From October 2nd to 8th 2024, the fourth medical trip of facial plastic reconstructive surgeons from the United States successfully took place in Lviv, in collaboration with Razom for Ukraine and INgenius.

Preparations for the mission began in the spring of 2024 and lasted over four months. During the patient selection process, nearly 100 applications were reviewed, and 35 of the most complex cases were chosen for reconstructive surgeries. Some of these patients were scheduled for surgery in May 2025.

A total of 19 soldiers with serious defects of the ocular and frontal areas, midface area, significant damages of the soft tissues, nasal bones and oral cavity were successfully operated on.

Some of the patients received implants to replace bone defects, including expensive highly technological patient-specific titanium 3D implants, produced and donated by Materialise. All surgeries and consultations for the mission participants were provided free of charge. Ukrainian surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses worked for seven days together with the American medical team.

The following procedures were performed:

Nasal reconstruction with a free forehead flap on a vascular pedicle – 7
Placement of the PSI (patient-specific titanium 3D implant) – 3
Commissuroplasty – 3
Placement of spherical orbital implants made of porous polyethylene (Medpor) – 5
Orbital floor/rim repair with titanium/porous polyethylene implants – 3
Eyelid reconstructions – 10
Upper lid gold weight placement for the correction of paralytic lagophthalmos – 2
Midface lift – 3

Additionally, there were scar revisions, canthoplasties, upper and lower eyelid fornix reconstructions, eviscerations, placements of ocular prostheses, lip reconstruction, cranioplasty, fat grafting for cheek tissues, and other operations.

It is also important to emphasize the significance of the training provided to Ukrainian specialists during the mission. The goal of the American team was not only to help severely wounded soldiers but also to pass on their experience to Ukrainian doctors. Therefore, even after this team work, the skills acquired can be applied to treat other complex patients.

Moreover, all operated patients will continue to be monitored by Ukrainian doctors, who will report on their condition to the American colleagues, which will allow the optimization of the recovery processes.

Some patients will undergo further stages of surgery and, if necessary, will have the opportunity to seek help from American doctors during the future missions.

The first week of October was highly productive for the mission team and successful for our patients.

This mission was unique: originally planned as a large-scale operation, it was scaled down due to recent attacks in the region. In response the determined team of seven, including facial reconstructive and oculoplastic surgeons, adapted to the circumstances and went forward. Despite the challenges, Razom’s team—led by Yuliia Shama, Lilies Dzaliuk and coordinator Nataliya Kuts —mobilized resources, restructured logistics, and ensured the success of this critical mission.

Nataliya Sawka joined the team as safety specialist, and did due diligence with analyzing threats and coordinating safety protocol.

The smaller team found Lviv relatively calm during the week, allowing them to work through a packed schedule of surgeries and consultations. Dr. Parag Gandhi emerged as a leader among the group of oculoplastic surgeons, creating a seamless collaboration with local specialists. Dr. Gandhi gave a talk (remotely) during this mission on Pericular Soft Tissue Reconstruction for a conference Glaucoma+. This exchange allowed Ukrainian and American doctors to share advanced techniques, further strengthening the cohort of Ukrainian surgeons in Lviv who now have the skills to address complex cases independently.

Beyond the operating rooms, Razom equipped local hospitals and shelters with vital supplies, including cots, sleeping bags, water, snacks, and disposable items, ensuring readiness for any future needs.

The Razom team expresses its sincere gratitude to everyone who made this project possible.

We are grateful to:

The team of American surgeons and nurses:

For their invaluable contribution to the health of our servicemen and to the training of Ukrainian doctors.

The team of Ukrainian doctors:

Plastic surgeon Vitaliy Panchenko for his assistance in the implementation of the mission, organizing patient acceptance at his department, and performing surgeries at his hospital.

Also, a special thanks to the highly qualified and organized team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, interns, nurses, and junior medical staff at the Ukrainian hospital who were always ready and worked clearly, professionally, and in harmony.

The members of the INgenius team: Ivanka Nebor, Kyrylo Chuhai, Yelyzaveta Baran, Anna Tovkes, Ihor Solovey, Daryna Chernenko for organizing the patient selection and the high-level performance of the mission.

Materialise Company for the production of 3D implants for our defenders, and also to the volunteers from the company — Anastasia Krychun, Olga Hornyak, and Kateryna Stepura for their assistance in preparing models and their high-quality visualization during the surgeries.

Razom for Ukraine team: Yuliia Shama, Lileia Dzhaliuk, Alexandra Domaradsky, Nataliya Kuts, Nataliya Sawka, Alex Malikova and Evgenii Kulachenko.

Our partner organizations: FIGS, Cherokee Ukraine (Medgroup), Vasyl Shevchik’s Ocular Microsurgery Center

And finally, we thank Vasyl Salyha for the excellent photo report!

Original article and more photographs from the mission at ingeniusua.org

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

OLIZ and Razom: Treasures of Ukraine

Published: December 3, 2024

We are proud to present Treasures of Ukraine, a stunning collection of silk scarves created by the preeminent Ukrainian brand OLIZ in collaboration with Razom. This exclusive collection honors Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage while shedding light on the devastating destruction caused by Russia’s war.

Half of the proceeds from each scarf sold will directly support Razom’s humanitarian aid efforts.

The collection features designs inspired by iconic landmarks and artworks that have been either looted, damaged, or destroyed by Russia’s invasion, including Chersonesus, the Hryhorii Skovoroda Museum, the house-museum of artist Polina Raiko, and the painting “Krasolia” by Heorhii Kurnakov, which was stolen from the Kherson Art Museum during the occupation.

Order your Treasures of Ukraine scarf today and join us in celebrating Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Preservation and reclamation of this heritage is imperative to reclaiming Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The Chersonesus silk scarf

The Chersonesus scarf was created as part of the “Treasures of Ukraine” collection, which is designed to tell the world about the destruction of a unique historical monument during ancient times. It was the only monument of world importance in Crimea, in the city of Sevastopol. In 2013, UNESCO listed Chersonesus as a World Heritage Site.

In the city of archaeological remains, the Russians built an open theater, and later an Archaeological Park and a cathedral.

Most of the artifacts found during the new construction were taken to Russia. Among the artifacts were frescoes, icons, and household items.

OChersonesus is depicted on the scarf as it was before the occupation of the peninsula, and which is now impossible to reproduce.

The Hryhorii Skovoroda Museum silk scarf

Dedicated to the Literary Memorial Museum of Hryhorii Skovoroda in the Kharkiv region, which the Russians destroyed during the night shelling on May 7, 2022. Skovoroda was a philosopher, poet, teacher, and composer of liturgical music who lived and worked in Ukrainian Hetmanate during the time of the Russian Empire.

The museum is located in the village of Skovorodynivka, on the 18th-century estate where Hryhorii Skovoroda worked, lived, and is buried.

The scarf portrays the remains of the museum after the hit and the sculpture of Skovoroda, which miraculously survived and became one of the symbols of Ukrainian indomitability.

Silk scarf with painting by Polina Raiko

The “Treasures of Ukraine” collection also included the “Angels” scarf, dedicated to the artist from the Kherson region, Polina Raiko, and her unique, fairy-tale house-museum in Oleshky, which was flooded due to an explosion of the construction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station by the Russian military.

Polina Raiko did not have an art education and started painting at a mature age, working in the genre of naive art. She painted her entire house with pictures that brought to life unprecedented fairy-tale animals, special patterns, and stories from the Bible. This painting with angels and flowers is characteristic of folk wall paintings, one of the varieties of which is the “wallpaper” painting, which is formed by the rhythmic repetition of motifs to fill the space, reducing the emptiness to nothing.

Unfortunately, many drawings have been lost forever.

Silk scarf with Heorhii Kurnakov’s “Krasolia” (1928)

The “Treasures of Ukraine” collection includes the eponymous silk scarf “Krasolia”, which is dedicated to a painting by the artist Heorhii Kurnakov, which was stolen by the Russian military during the occupation of Kherson from the Kherson Art Museum. Heorhii Kurnakov, a painter and graphic artist, was originally from Mariupol, but he lived, taught and painted in Kherson, so the creative life of the master is closely connected with the Kherson region.

The artist worked a lot in the genre of landscape and still life.

We invite you to explore the collection and order your silk scarf today. Be part of preserving Ukraine’s cultural legacy while supporting our ongoing mission. Thank you for your support. Together, we are Ukraine!

Razom for Ukraine: A Season of Giving

Published: December 2, 2024

This holiday season, join us in supporting families in Ukraine who are healing from the impacts of war and working to build a brighter future. Ukrainians have shown remarkable strength, and with your help, they can continue contributing their talents and energy to a better tomorrow.

Your support is giving new life to families experiencing trauma and loss. The immense resilience and determination of Ukrainians inspire us, and we at Razom remain fully committed to supporting Ukraine’s victory.

At the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Svitlana Rosadkina lived in Severodonetsk, a city in the Luhansk region in Eastern Ukraine, with her husband, young son, and parents. She and her family were forced to move into basements crowded with other people and animals, often going without gas, electricity, or water for days, making it impossible to wash or cook food. When her parents became ill with COVID-19, the city’s hospitals and ambulances were no longer functioning, and only four pharmacies in the entire city remained open—and sporadically, at that. Svitlana waited in the cold for hours to get her parents’ medicine, sometimes under heavy shelling.

“I shouted to people to lie down on the floor and cover their heads with their hands … you didn’t know if you’d make it home alive. Every time you went to the pharmacy or the store, you couldn’t tell your relatives what time you’d return.”

With the help of friends, Svitlana and her family evacuated to Dnipro, enduring nine hours of driving under constant fire. The bombed-out cities they passed remain etched forever in her memory.

After months of surviving extreme conditions and helping her son cope with unimaginable stress, Svitlana found herself emotionally depleted and numb. She participated in the “Recovery During the War” program organized by the NGO VAAD and supported by Razom. This intensive psychological rehabilitation program supports women and their children who have endured occupation, heavy shelling, or devastating personal losses due to the war.

Since May 2022, “Recovery During the War” has held 114 program sessions, helping 1,620 families—or 3,575 individuals, including 1,882 children. In 2024, Razom Relief provided $90,000 in grants, funding nine sessions of this life-changing initiative.

“I joined the program hoping to recover to the person I was before the war. I not only recovered but … my family was amazed by the changes in me. After the program, I felt life again.”

For millions of Ukrainians suffering from deprivation, trauma, and loss, programs like these offer hope and essential coping skills. Thousands remain on the “Recovery During the War” waitlist.

Your generous support can help us continue programs that save and transform lives like Svitlana’s. Together, we can help Ukrainians heal and rebuild.

Donate today and be part of Ukraine’s recovery and growth!

RAZOM CINEMA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY “PORCELAIN WAR”

Published: November 26, 2024

Razom Cinema announced a new partnership with the powerful, award-winning documentary Porcelain War on the film’s North American theatrical release, which began on November 22, 2024 in New York and rolls out across North America. Earlier this year, the film won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

“The message of Porcelain War fits perfectly with the mission of Razom and its programs, so our partnership creates a unique opportunity to combine forces and amplify the voices of those whose lives have been forever changed by the war,” says Polina Buchak, head of Razom Cinema. “The grant assures that the filmmakers will be able to travel with their film and share their stories from Ukraine first-hand with audiences and continue shedding light on Ukrainians’ bravery in their fight for freedom and dignity during Russia’s unjust, full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”

The story of the Ukrainians in Porcelain War reflects the extraordinary transformation of life in Ukraine, where art and war collide. An artist crafting delicate porcelain creatures one day, may find themselves on the battlefield the next, fighting for their freedom and dignity. Porcelain War offers audiences the opportunity to go behind the headlines and dive into the layered reality of Ukrainian life during wartime, shedding light on how ordinary civilians—teachers, engineers, artists—have become extraordinary heroes in the face of unimaginable challenges.

The film, shot in Ukraine by the subjects of the documentary, is set amid the chaos and destruction of the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine. Three artists find

inspiration and beauty as they defend their culture and their country. In a war waged by professional soldiers against ordinary civilians, Slava Leontyev, Anya Stasenko and Andrey Stefanov choose to stay behind, armed with their art, their cameras and, for the first time in their lives, their guns. Despite daily shelling, Anya finds resistance and purpose in her art, Andrey takes the dangerous journey to get his young family to safety abroad, and Slava becomes a weapons instructor for ordinary people who have become unlikely soldiers. As the war intensifies, Andrey picks up his camera to film their story, and on tiny porcelain figurines, Anya and Slava capture their idyllic past, uncertain present and hope for the future.

Co-directed by Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo, with extraordinary footage from first-time cinematographer Stefanov, Porcelain War embodies the passion and fight that only an artist can put back into the world when it is crumbling around them.

Picturehouse will release the film across North America over the next few months. Make sure to visit the website, look up your city, and grab tickets to the screening: porcelainwar.url.film

For more information, check out the film’s website (porcelainwar.com) and follow their instagram page @porcelainwarfilm

The Razom Syl’nishi (Razom Stronger) 2.0 Conference

Published: November 23, 2024

The Razom Syl’nishi (Razom Stronger) 2.0 Conference has once again brought together a powerful coalition of civil society, business, and community organizations in Kyiv, with a shared vision of building a more resilient Ukraine.

Over two days, more than 100 participants from across Ukraine came together to explore how to tackle urgent humanitarian needs, support local communities, and reinforce Ukraine’s civic sector through Razom’s work.

Razom Relief network of partners unites Ukrainian NGOs that work in Ukrainian communities on projects in the area of rebuilding, child protection, providing humanitarian aid and shelter, evacuations and other.

Here’s what stood out at this year’s event:

Collaborative Panels and Workshops: Sessions focused on partnership best practices among nonprofits, businesses, and local communities, with speakers sharing successful examples and new approaches for overcoming social challenges. We welcomed speakers from “hromadas” (communities) from Kherson Kharkiv, Lviv, Kamenets Podislky and other regions,
Key Program Presentations: Leaders of Razom’s programs — Advocacy, Heroes, Health, and Relief — highlighted their latest initiatives, including humanitarian aid, mental health services, and veteran support for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Training and sharing of experience – we provided training session in fundraising and shared Razom’s experience in managing logistics
Facilitated Networking Sessions: Participants engaged in discussions on the most pressing issues such as fundraising, working with government, running different types of projects and shared solutions for maximizing the impact of local organizations.

Most importantly, the conference provided space for networking and informal sharing of experience between our partner organizations.

Razom is committed to supporting cooperation and networking among our grantees.

The conference concluded with actionable plans for deepening inter-organizational collaboration and scaling efforts to support local communities across Ukraine. Participants left with fresh perspectives, new connections, and a shared commitment to making a difference in Ukraine.

Together, we make Ukraine stronger.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Razom Relief.

Razom Health’s Co-Pilot Project Honored at the First U.S. Orden of St. Panteleimon Awards

Published: November 22, 2024

On November 1, 2024, history was made as the prestigious Orden (“Order”) of St. Panteleimon Award was presented in the U.S. for the first time at the Ukrainian Institute of America in NYC. The award, a symbol of humanitarianism and mercy, celebrated exceptional contributions to health and humanitarian efforts in support of Ukraine.

Honorees:

● Dr. Manoj Abraham: Recognized for leading the Face to Face medical team in partnership with Razom’s Co-Pilot Project and INgenius. Together, they’ve performed 100+ complex reconstructive surgeries in Ukraine and are advancing surgical training for Ukrainian professionals.

● Project C.U.R.E.: Represented by CEO Dr. Douglas Jackson for their tireless work in providing critical medical support to Ukraine.

The Razom Health team together with Luke Tomycz, founder of the Co-Pilot Project, were also awarded the WFUMA Gratitude Award for their unwavering dedication to Ukraine’s healthcare system.
A sincere thank you to all Americans who continue to stand with Ukraine and support its healthcare system during these critical times.

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

DOC NYC: FESTIVAL GUIDE THROUGH UKRAINIAN EYES

Published: November 13, 2024

This fall season, DOC NYC is returning for its 15th annual edition, showcasing films at New York theaters like IFC Center, SVA, and Village East by Angelika. It’s the largest documentary film festival in the U.S. and Razom Cinema is proud to have two of our grantees being part of the line up. We invite you to join us in celebrating these powerful documentaries. Fill the theaters—this is an easy and meaningful way we can keep showing up for Ukraine. Our friends at DOC NYC have provided a discount code for you: DOCNYC_PTNRDISC_24.

AFTER THE RAIN: PUTIN’S STOLEN CHILDREN COME HOME

Deep in a forest by the Baltic Sea, a group of Ukrainian families come together to start the healing process with the help of golden retrievers and palomino horses at an animal therapy retreat. In the safety of the forest, the children’s memories of being illegally deported to Russia and their families’ struggles to rescue them are unraveled with the help of skilled and sensitive counselors. The joy and humor the children discover during their time in the forest make it easy to forget that their stories are the reason the International Criminal Court recently issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin. Nearly 20,000 abducted children remain in Russian institutions.

In-Person Screening:
– Thursday, November 14, 2024 6:30 PM | IFC Center
Q&A with Director Sarah McCarthy, producer Olha Beskhmelnytsina and film subjects Inna Sidoruk, Yvgeny Matveii, Sviatoslava and Sasha Mezhevoy.
– Friday, November 15, 2024 4:00 PM | Village East by Angelika

Online Screening:
– Friday, November 15 – Sunday, December 1, 2024

More about the film: www.aftertherainfilm.com

Razom Cinema Grantee

PORCELAIN WAR

What is worth fighting for, if not culture? Three Ukrainian artists take up arms when Russia invades their country, but refuse to put down their drive to create. After enlisting to defend their beloved homeland, Slava, Anya and Andrey channel their art into their new roles on the front lines, and demonstrate their pride in the vibrancy, passion, and rich heritage of Ukraine.

In-Person Screening:
Friday, November 15, 2024 8:45 PM | Village East by Angelika

More about the film: www.porcelainwar.com

Razom Cinema Grantee

THE BASEMENT

Dark rooms, heavy doors. On the left are the names of the murdered, on the right those of the deceased. Children’s paintings and prayers, despair echoes off the walls. In March 2022, Russian troops invaded the village of Yahidne, Chernihiv Raion. The residents were locked in the basement of the school, packed tightly together, for 27 days. Among them 77 children, the youngest just six weeks old. Too little water, too little air. Some lost hope, others lost their minds. 51-year-old Olha kept a diary of the time as a testimony in case no one survived. When the Russian soldiers were driven out, the inhabitants rebuilt the village.

In-Person Screening:
– Sunday, November 17, 2024 6:45 PM | Village East by Angelika

Online Screening:
– Friday, November 15 – Sunday, December 1, 2024

Learn more about DOC NYC and the full festival lineup at www.docnyc.net.

Another Powerful Year of the Ukrainian Cultural Festival: Highlights from Our Second UCF Season

Published: November 8, 2024

The 2024 Ukrainian Cultural Festival (UCF), co-presented by Razom for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Institute, Kyiv, sponsored by Self Reliance NY Federal Credit Union and produced with key partners such as the National Ballet for Ukraine, the Ukrainian Museum, Yara Arts Group, Rukh Arts Hub, Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival, Kyiv International Shorts Film Festival (KISFF), Linoleum Animation Festival, 128 LIT, and Columbia’s Harriman Institute, ended on October 31st after two weeks of Cinema, Literature, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts events. This year represents the second year of programming for the Festival and its leadership, Polina Buchak and Maria Genkin, are excited about the future:

Polina Buchak, Razom Cinema Impact Producer, on the Success and Future of the Festival:

“Our festival’s goal is to create a space for American audiences and the Ukrainian community to come together for meaningful cultural exchange. It’s a place where we confront complex histories, challenge stereotypes, and discover shared values. Most importantly, this festival stands as a testament to the endurance of Ukrainian culture—it existed, exists, and will continue to exist, despite Russia’s centuries-old attempts to erase it. This year, we definitely achieved that goal.”

Maria Genkin, Razom Board Member, on the Festival’s Impact and Vision:

“Yes, we want American audiences to understand that Ukrainians exist. This is why it’s essential to experience Ukrainian poetry, music, ballet, and other arts. Over the past two weeks, we welcomed many new audience members, many experiencing Ukrainian culture for the first time. This is the kind of impact we want now and for the future.”

Cinema

Six film screenings took place in New York, starting with Slovo House. Unfinished Novel on October 16th, a story about Ukrainian writers from the era of the Executed Renaissance who were gathered in the Slovo cooperative house built in Kharkiv in 1927. Key highlights were on Porcelain War – winner of a 2024 US Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at Sundance Film Festival, and La Palisiada, Ukraine’s 2025 Narrative Feature entry for the Academy Awards – on October 22nd and 24th, as well as Forever-Forever on October 28th. Ukrainian Cultural Festival programming also included over 15 short films from two of the most renown Ukrainian shorts film festivals – KISFF and Linoleum.

Razom Cinema

5 Videos

Slava Leontyev, Anya Stasenko, & Paula DuPré Pesmen | Porcelain War

0:16

Anna Ihnatova | Ukrainian Animated Shorts with LINOLEUM

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Ostap Slyvynsky & Tamara Hundorova | Slovo House. Unfinished Novel

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Sasha Prokopenko | Ukrainian Short Films with KISFF

Yarema Malashchuk & Anri Vartanov | La Palisiada

Literature

There were seven literature events during the festival, starting with a discussion with Ostap Slyvynsky at Columbia’s Harriman Institute on October 17th. Immediately following this, Ostap joined poets Yuliia Iliukha and Alex Averbuch for “Amid All Losses: Ukrainian poets as witnesses” in Razom’s new Flatiron District office. Other program spotlights included The Voices of Babyn Yar book talk and reading by Marianna Kiyanovska, Writer as a Volunteer with Andriy Lyubka, A Crash Course in Molotov Cocktails with Halyna Kruk, and a book talk for Olena Stiazhkina’s Cecile the Lion Had to Die. Stiazhkina has been a part of the Festival since it began last year.

Performance

The best in Ukrainian performing arts was highlighted in Yara Art’s Group’s “Slap!” album launch followed by the poetry of well-known Ukrainian poet Serhiy Zhadan and the National Ballet of Ukraine’s long-awaited return to the U.S. after 30 years with a performance at City Center. Yara continued through the week with bandurist Julian Kytasty. Performance events concluded with the Ukrainian Contemporary Musical Festival, led by Leah Batstone, talking with Victoria Poleva about her opening at Carnegie Hall the following day. Poleva’s music was played by Anna Shelest and Irena Portenko at Faust Harrison Pianos to close out the performance events for the festival.

Visual Art

The visual art events for the Festival were created by partners Rukh Art Hub and the Ukrainian Museum in partnership with the Ukrainian Institute, Kyiv. Rukh opened Nina Murashkina and Xavier Escala’s Water Drops on Burning Rocks at Mriya Gallery and Colors and Rhythms: Alexandra Exter in Ukraine, and A Guide to Decolonizing Ukrainian Art opened at the Ukrainian Museum, a lively discussion featuring Tetyana Filevska, Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute in Kyiv, and Peter Doroshenko, Director of The Ukrainian Museum.