Hot topic, Culture, Alyona Alyona, Entertainment

Weekend in Kyiv – Dec. 17-19

by Artur Korniienko December 17, 2021 8:42 AM 1 min read

Ukrainian rapper Alyona Alyona performs at the Atlas Weekend festival on July 8, 2021 in Kyiv. (Atlas Weekend)

This audio is created with AI assistance

Our picks for the best art, music, film and more in the capital. All venues require one of the following: certificates of vaccination, negative test or recovery from Covid-19.

From a nursery teacher to Europe’s best young artist – in the last three years, Alyona Alyona has done so much for Ukrainian music that it’s easy to take her for granted. The rapper will show just how much more she has in store at the Dec. 19 show in Atlas with songs from the latest record and acoustic versions of her old bangers.

Alyona Alyona (rap, hip hop, pop). Atlas (37-41 Sichovykh Striltsiv St.). Dec. 19. 7 p.m. ₴600-1400

Steven Spielberg’s reimagining of "West Side Story" mostly lives up to the classic musical and can be watched in English at Zhovten, Planeta Kino (Blockbuster) and Kinoman (Cosmo). Also screening at Zhovten and Planeta Kino (Blockbuster) is "Spencer," an unusual biopic of Princess Diana played beautifully by Kristen Stewart.

West Side Story (musical, romance in English). Zhovten, Planeta Kino (Blockbuster), Kinoman (Cosmo). Dec. 17-19. ₴115-220

The Berlin powerhouse duo FJAAK is playing at the untitled nightclub at 41 Kyrylivska St. on Dec. 18. Legowelt, the Dutch explorer of techno, house and old school acid, will spin records the same night at Arsenal XXII.

FJAAK (house, techno). 41 Kyrylivksa St. ₴450

Christmas Intermezzo vintage market by Kyivness is a good place to look for chic holiday presents or a new look for the parties. The event is a daytime party in itself, this time held at the Chocolate House estate on Dec. 18-19.

Christmas Intermezzo by Kyivness (curated vintage and local brands market). Chocolate House (17/2 Shovkovychna St.) Dec. 18-19. 12-8 p.m. ₴200

Artur Korniienko

Reporter

Artur Korniienko is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, currently on a leave to serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He previously reported on Ukrainian literature, art, music, film and social issues for the Kyiv Post, including the controversial Babyn Yar memorial and other development projects opposed by the community. In 2021, he ran a podcast about Ukrainian migrant workers for RFE/RL on the Vaclav Havel Fellowship in Prague. With a Master's in Journalism from the Ukrainian Catholic University, Korniienko had also worked as a freelance journalist and a TV correspondent.Read more

News Feed

12:44 AM

US did not halt weapons shipments to Ukraine, Meloni says.

The U.S. has "reviewed" the components it is supplying Ukraine, but did not halt assistance, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.

11:23 PM

'There will be 1,000 units per day' — Ukrainian commander warns of increased Russian Shahed drone attacks.

Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, commander of the elite drone unit "Birds of Magyar," warned on July 4 that Russian Shahed drone strikes could increase to 1,000 per day, prompting Ukraine to consider relocating drone production.

10:33 PM

Russia

Death of top Russian oil executive fuels fresh scrutiny of elite's 'window falls'

10:22 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russia pounds Kyiv with record overnight drone, missile attack, 1 dead, 26 injured

9:24 PM

Germany reportedly mulls $29 billion tank, vehicle order to deter Russia.

Berlin is reportedly considering purchasing up to 2,500 GTK Boxer armored vehicles and up to 1,000 Leopard 2 battle tanks.

9:20 PM

Field report

Russia launches another horrific attack on Kyiv moments after Trump-Putin talks call

9:11 PM

(Updated: July 4, 2025 8:49 pm)

'Nothing but terror and murder' — Russia pounds Kyiv with record overnight drone, missile attack, 1 dead, 26 injured.

Fires broke out across the city as Russia attacked the capital overnight on July 4. At least 23 people have been injured, with 14 of the victims hospitalized.

7:26 PM

Ukraine, Denmark sign deal to launch Ukrainian military production on Danish soil.

"This is a unique case of international cooperation for the Ukrainian defense industry," Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin said.

4:47 PM

(Updated: July 4, 2025 7:24 pm)

Zelensky, Trump hold phone call after Putin pledges to continue war in Ukraine

"Today we discussed the situation: Russian air strikes and, more broadly, the situation on the front lines. President Trump is very well informed," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

7:15 PM

Video

Ukraine's artillery braces for shell shortage as US halts aid.

The Kyiv Independent's Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko spent a day with an artillery crew from the 28th Mechanized Brigade in the front-line city of Kostiantynivka. Following the recent decision by the Pentagon to halt shipments of certain weapons to Ukraine, a looming shell shortage is once again on the horizon for Ukrainian forces.

6:37 PM

Russia damages Chinese consulate in Odesa as Chinese drone parts found in Kyiv following similar attack.

China has not publicly acknowledged the incident or reported any damage to its diplomatic premises in Odesa.

3:51 PM

'Disingenuous' Hegseth paused Ukraine weapons despite Pentagon finding aid wouldn't hurt US readiness, NBC reports.

A senior military review had concluded that while some munitions stockpiles, including precision weapons, were low, they had not fallen below critical thresholds, according to NBC. Still, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth opted to stop the shipment. This is reportedly his third such move since February.

2:05 PM

Russia intensifying use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, Dutch intelligence reports.

Dutch intelligence services, together with German intelligence, have found that Russia is systematically escalating the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces, the Netherlands Military Intelligence (MIVD) reported on July 4.

1:39 PM

Ukraine, Russia conduct new POW exchange.

"Our people are home. Most of them had been in Russian captivity since 2022," President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in a statement.

12:26 PM

(Updated: July 4, 2025 1:17 pm)

'I'm very disappointed,' Trump says after phone call with Putin.

"I'm speaking to President Zelensky tomorrow in the morning, and I'm very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin," U.S. President Donald Trump told journalists.

9:17 AM

(Updated: July 4, 2025 1:09 pm)

'There is also good news' — Ukrainian drones hit key military optics plant in Russia, General Staff confirms.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's counter-disinformation center, said a drone hit the Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant in the town of Azov, Rostov Oblast. The facility reportedly manufactures critical components for the Russian military, including sights, rangefinders, thermal imaging systems, and fire control equipment for tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, ships, and aircraft.

1:07 PM

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff pushing to lift energy sanctions on Russia, Politico reports.

While Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly advocating for the easing of energy sanctions, others in the administration disagree. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum favors reducing U.S. reliance on Russian imports rather than expanding trade, according to Politico.

12:42 PM

Number of Ukrainian children killed and injured amid Russian full-scale invasion jumps threefold in recent months.

The latest U.N. figures show a threefold jump in the number of deaths and injuries for children over the three months ending in May.

10:40 AM

(Updated: July 4, 2025 11:19 am)

'Deliberately massive and cynical' — Russian attack on Ukraine began as Trump and Putin spoke, Zelensky says.

"Patriots and their missiles are real defenders of life," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "It is very important to maintain the support of partners in ballistic missile defense."

8:15 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,024,210 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,120 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

6:27 AM

Trump's pause on Russia sanctions under investigation by Senate Democrats.

"Americans should be asking why a president who says he wants to end a major war is instead letting the aggressor run rampant."

4:35 AM

'We haven't' — Trump denies US pausing weapons to Ukraine, despite Pentagon decision to halt shipments.

"You know, Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves," Trump added after his initial denial.

2:03 AM

China's foreign minister tells EU that Beijing cannot afford Russia to lose in Ukraine, media reports.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on July 3 that the country cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine amid fears the U.S. would shift focus towards Beijing, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, citing sources familiar with the conversation.

1:04 AM

Trump says he 'didn't make any progress' with Putin following phone call.

When asked if he had made any progress with Putin on the call, Trump responded: "No, I didn't make any progress with him today at all."

11:22 PM

Russia becomes first country to recognize Afghanistan's Taliban government.

"We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

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Weekend in Kyiv – Dec. 17-19

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