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Culture

The Hidden Canon: Discover Ukrainian literary classics

A Kyiv Independent project backed by the Ukrainian Institute

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The cover of “Kvitky” by Old Khata and a drawing featured in the book.
Culture

Old Khata's 'Kvitky' — Tribute to beauty and enduring legacy of Ukrainian folk art

by Dinara Khalilova

Imagine your family has survived World War I, a nationwide revolution marked by brutal violence and constantly changing governments, and a famine. Then, less than a decade later, another, even more devastating famine strikes your land under its new rulers. You and the people around you have suffered for years, and many have died. No end to the suffering is in sight.   Yet, on the eve of an important religious holiday, you sit down and decide to continue one of your people's most beautiful and h

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Endless US-Russia talks leave Europe scrambling for a role in Ukraine peace push

"When it comes to European security, then the treaties are very concrete. It is (Council President) Antonio Costa, and it is the High Representative and Vice President (Kaja Kallas) who is representing Europe in security matters," Kallas said. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, however, stopped short of endorsing the Costa-Kallas ticket.

'We have nothing left to fear' — Chinese volunteer soldiers in Ukraine

Luo Haizhou had once asked to be referred to only by his call sign "Brunko," but his reticence has since gone. Luo recruits fellow Chinese volunteers for Ukraine's military, despite warnings from Chinese state security officers to his family back home. He knows that returning to his native Shenzhen is now impossible. "For the few dozen Chinese who have joined Ukraine's military, the choice may have cost them the option of ever returning home." Luo met with the Kyiv Independent a day before

Luo Haizhou stands next to his Battalion's flag in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, undated.

About Culture

Our reporting on literature, films, art, and traditions from Ukraine and the latest news on culture in Eastern Europe.

Ukrainian culture
Ukrainian culture has survived centuries of Russian attempts to appropriate Ukrainian art, silence Ukrainian artists, and erase the Ukrainian language. Modern Ukrainian writers, filmmakers, and musicians — some of whom are serving on the front lines — continue to develop Ukrainian culture and fight for Ukraine’s future.
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