Culture

The Hidden Canon: Ukraine's Literary Iconoclasts

A Kyiv Independent project backed by the Ukrainian Institute

Ukrainian InstituteExplore
Artist Zhanna Kadyrova (R) and curator Leonid Marushchak pose with the "Origami Deer" sculpture in Prague on March 12, 2026.
Culture

When security guarantees fail: Ukraine's message at the Venice Biennale

by Valeria Radkevych

The 61st Venice Biennale is now underway, with the world's premier international art event having been in the spotlight not for its showings, but for its controversy and internal strife. On April 30, just days before the opening of the festival, the jury collectively resigned in protest over Russia and Israel's planned presence in the event, declaring that with a "responsibility toward the historical role of the Biennale," they could not judge art from countries whose leaders are charged with c

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Ukraine war latest: Drone strike reportedly hits major Russian fertilizer plant linked to explosives production

Key developments on May 16-17: * Drone strike reportedly hits major Russian fertilizer plant linked to explosives production * Kyiv repatriates 528 bodies that Russia claims are fallen Ukrainian soldiers * 'Justified response' – Zelensky releases footage of Ukrainian strikes on Russian aircraft, other targets deep behind enemy lines * Ukraine attack on Moscow region 'completely fair response,' Zelensky says A fire likely broke out at the Nevinnomyssk Azot plant in Russia's southern Stavrop

Has power changed Zelensky? | Ukraine This Week

In the latest episode of Ukraine This Week, Anna Belokur examines how Volodymyr Zelensky’s presidency has changed over seven years in office, and whether he still represents the anti-establishment promises he campaigned on in 2019.

Ukraine Business Roundup — Shadow economy crackdown

Editor's note: The following is the May 13, 2026 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. This newsletter wasn’t meant to be about illegal e-cigarettes in Ukraine. But I stumbled across a law enforcement operation yesterday — and immediately knew it would be the focus of this week's edition. While running an errand on Tuesday afternoon at Kyiv’s central Gulliver mall, I noticed t

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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