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Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian poet and national hero

Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian poet and national hero

by Kate Tsurkan

In nearly every village, town, and city across Ukraine today, you can spot some kind of monument to the 19th-century poet and artist Taras Shevchenko. Following Ukraine’s independence in 1991 and the Euromaidan Revolution in 2014, many of them replaced statues of 20th-century Bolshevik revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin that

Is it ok to have fun during war? We asked Ukrainians

Is it ok to have fun during war? We asked Ukrainians

by Kate Tsurkan

Editor’s Note: The servicemember and volunteer quoted in this article are referred to by first name only at their request for security reasons. A day after Russia attacked Kharkiv in mid-October with drones that damaged residential buildings, several dozen local residents gathered at an undisclosed venue to attend a

Haunting Ukrainian novel explores time, trauma, and identity

Haunting Ukrainian novel explores time, trauma, and identity

by Kate Tsurkan

In the midst of a full-blown agoraphobic episode, the unnamed narrator of Tanja Maljartschuk’s novel “Forgottenness,” becomes engrossed in reading old newspapers. Asked by her increasingly concerned partner what she’s looking for, she simply tells him: “I want to understand what time is.” “Time consumes everything living by

Ukrainians plunge into icy water on Epiphany (Photos)

Ukrainians plunge into icy water on Epiphany (Photos)

by Irynka Hromotska

For some Ukrainians, celebrating Epiphany is incomplete without taking a plunge into the icy waters of their nearest lake or river. Epiphany, the Christian feast day commemorating the Magi’s visit, Jesus’ baptism, and the wedding at Cana, was traditionally celebrated by Ukraine’s Orthodox Christians on Jan. 19 in

10 books to better understand wartime Ukraine

10 books to better understand wartime Ukraine

by Kate Tsurkan

Ukraine’s authors should have been able to dedicate their lives to honing their craft. Instead, many of them have stepped up to contribute to the war effort and fight back against Russian aggression. Like any other member of society, Ukrainian authors have lost loved ones and colleagues to Russia’

Here’s where to shop for Christmas gifts by Ukrainian brands

Here’s where to shop for Christmas gifts by Ukrainian brands

by Elsa Court

Even amid the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukrainian entrepreneurs remain resilient. October set a new record for the number of new small and medium-sized businesses being registered, while hundreds of enterprises have relocated away from front-line regions so that they can continue their operations. Buying a gift this Christmas from a

Opinion: Facing Ukraine’s south

Opinion: Facing Ukraine’s south

by Iryna Tsilyk

One of the key insights I’ve gained about myself during this war has been that I held onto preconceived notions not only about foreigners but my fellow Ukrainian citizens. As a filmmaker and writer, I recognize the significance of the optics we rely on to perceive certain things. That's

How Ukrainian identity evolved since the Revolution of Dignity

How Ukrainian identity evolved since the Revolution of Dignity

by Kate Tsurkan

It was at Kyiv’s Independence Square on Dec. 1, 2013, when Ukrainians gathered during the Revolution of Dignity to express their outrage over violent police crackdowns against protestors the day prior, that author Lyuba Yakimchuk’s then three-year-old son first learned the patriotic national slogan “Glory to Ukraine!” “I

Ukraine culture

The latest on literature, films, art, and traditions from Ukraine and the region. 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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