Weekend in Kyiv – Feb. 11-13
Our picks of the best art, music, film and more in the capital.
Ukraine & Culture
Weekend in Kyiv – Feb. 4-6
Our picks of the best art, music, film and more in the capital. All listed venues require one of the following: certificate of vaccination, negative PCR or antigen test, or proof of recovery from Covid-19. * Traveling carnivals with stomach-turning attractions, exceptional psychoanalysis, and blood-curdling violence scenes is only a small
What’s going on in Ukraine? Watch these films to understand Russia’s ongoing war
Editor's Note: The selection was provided by Takflix, a Ukrainian streaming platform, and approved by the Kyiv Independent. This isn't sponsored content. Although Russia’s war against Ukraine has been going non-stop since 2014, many around the world have just learned about Moscow’s aggression due to the growing threat
Weekend in Kyiv – Jan. 28-30
Our picks of the best art, music, film and more in the capital. All listed venues require one of the following: certificate of vaccination, negative PCR or antigen test, or proof of recovery from Covid-19. * A portrait of the generation Z, yet timeless in its empathy for the teenage experience,
Early look at Ukraine's exhibit at Venice Art Biennale – exploration of world's exhaustion
From an artist’s response to his city’s water mismanagement in 1995 to a work reflecting the world decline in 2022 – the "Fountain of Exhaustion" by Pavlo Makov has come a long way. Its ultimate destination is the oldest international Venice Art Biennale, where it will represent Ukraine in
Ukrainian rap diva Alina Pash wins EU award for young artists
Ukrainian singer and rapper Alina Pash received the Music Moves Europe Award, the European Union’s prize for upcoming artists who "present the sound of today and tomorrow." "I’m so honored. It means a lot to me and those people who believe in my heart," Pash said on Instagram
Weekend in Kyiv – Jan. 21-23
Our picks of the best art, music, film and more in the capital. All listed venues require one of the following: certificate of vaccination, negative PCR or antigen test, or proof of recovery from Covid-19. * British action film “The King’s Man,” set as a prequel to the Kingsman franchise,
US Presbyterian minister’s mission to find a home for every orphan in Ukraine
One early September 16 years ago, U.S. Presbyterian minister Robert Gamble got off the train in Odesa, Ukraine’s biggest port city, where he had chosen to spend his sabbatical. He did not speak any Ukrainian or Russian, and had neither relatives nor friends in the region. His only
People plunge into icy water in Kyiv to mark Epiphany (PHOTOS)
Dozens of people plunged into the icy waters of the Dnipro River on Jan. 19 in Kyiv's northern district of Obolon to celebrate Epiphany. The tradition to bathe in the freezing water of a river or lake comes from a popular belief that on this day, the water brings health
Ukrainian electronic duo Artbat to perform at Coachella
Ukrainian electronic duo Artbat will perform at one of the world’s biggest and most influential music festivals, Coachella. The festival announced its lineup on Jan. 12. It shows that the Kyiv-based duo of Artur Kryvenko and Vitaliy Limarenko will perform on Fridays during the dual-weekend event, alongside world-known musicians
Weekend in Kyiv – Jan. 14-16
Our picks of the best art, music, film and more in the capital. All listed venues require one of the following: certificate of vaccination, negative PCR or antigen test, or proof of recovery from Covid-19. * Ukrainian hip-hop pioneers Tanok Na Maidani Kongo, or TNMK, will yet again play a show
Netflix responds to criticism over 'offensive' Ukrainian character in 'Emily in Paris'
An ignorant shoplifter with bad fashion sense – that’s how the hit Netflix romantic comedy series "Emily in Paris" portrayed a character named Petra, who happens to be a Ukrainian. This creative decision caused outrage in Ukraine. Criticism from social media influencers, public officials and ordinary Ukrainians poured in after
Kyiv’s colorful, crowded Christmas markets in 10 best photos
Despite the double threat of a looming Russian invasion and the new variant of Covid-19 virus, Omicron, Kyivans are making the most of the holiday season with the city’s Christmas markets. Like every year, Kyiv's two main Christmas markets are open on Sofiivska Square in the heart of Kyiv
Odesa among contenders to host World Expo 2030
The Ukrainian government has entered the city of Odesa as a contender to host the World Expo in 2030. Odesa will compete against four other cities for the spot: Moscow, Russia; Rome, Italy; Busan, the Republic of Korea; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "Holding a world exhibition can become a powerful
War, crime, teenage angst: Best Ukrainian movies of 2021
Despite the pandemic production challenges and rollback of government support, Ukrainian cinema continued to make gains this year on the momentum built by the previous management of the State Film Agency. Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to preoccupy the minds of Ukrainian filmmakers but there were also movies that
Year of musical introspection: Ukraine's best albums of 2021
The second year of the pandemic has been productive for Ukrainian musicians across the board. We heard many new names, especially in rap and electronic music, but established artists also stepped up with plenty of new pop, alternative and indie rock. Besides giving them more time to record, another year
Ukrainian documentary 'Home Games' available on Netflix in Europe
Ukrainian documentary "Home Games" has joined the Netflix library on Dec. 23. Its director Alisa Kovalenko said this is the streaming giant's first documentary by a Ukrainian filmmaker. “I hope it will be a milestone and that other great Ukrainian author-driven documentaries will be soon on Netflix as well,” she
Label of Kyiv’s techno club named among the best in 2021
A Ukrainian label, Standard Deviation, made it onto the list of best record labels in 2021 compiled by Mixmag, a U.K. magazine and one of the world’s oldest publications that focus on electronic music. This label of Kyiv’s famous unnamed techno club located on Kyrylivska Street was
6 last-minute gift ideas from Ukrainian brands
From traditional decor and cutting-edge art books to basic home wear and fragrances, Ukrainian brands have everything needed for perfect holiday shopping. To guide you through the best Ukrainian goods available online, the Kyiv Independent has compiled some of its favorite picks this season. Decor: Hey.Guide x Ukrainian Folks
HBO acquires Ukrainian war drama 'Bad Roads'
U.S. pay television network HBO has acquired the Ukrainian war drama “Bad Roads,” directed by acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Natalya Vorozhbit. The film is now available in original Ukrainian and Russian languages, with English subtitles on HBO's streaming platform HBO Go, but only in Central Europe, according to the
Happy holidays in Kyiv: best parties, concerts, winter villages
The second Christmas and New Year’s season of the pandemic will be less restrictive in Kyiv, with a selection of winter villages and celebrations around the city. Still, all indoor events require certificates of vaccination, negative test or recovery from Covid-19. Face masks are advised even outside in crowded
First heavy snowfall hits Kyiv (PHOTOS)
Kyiv had its first heavy snowfall of the season on the evening of Dec. 20, with 13 centimeters of snow rapidly covering the capital. Traffic ground to a halt across the city while the number of road accidents surged. For example, a tram derailed on Kyrylivska Street in the Podil
Ukraine launches its official Spotify account
Ukraine has launched its official account on Spotify, the world’s most popular music streaming platform, on Dec. 20. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has partnered with the Ukrainian Institute and Slukh, an online media outlet covering music, for this cultural diplomacy project. “It was created to promote a positive image
Ukrainians spend Hr 1,000 vaccination bounty on cinemas, books, theaters
Ukrainians who got Hr 1,000 from the government for getting their coronavirus shots are mainly spending it on cinema, books and theaters, according to new stats from the Ministry of Culture. The government began paying its promised cash rewards on Dec. 19 through the Diia mobile app. The bounty,
Weekend in Kyiv – Dec. 17-19
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
Crimean Tatar traditional ornament added to UNESCO heritage list
UNESCO added Örnek, the traditional ornament of Ukraine’s Crimean Tatar minority and its lore to the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, on Dec. 16. “This is a clear victory for Ukraine. After all, it clearly shows that the culture of Crimea is extraordinary and needs to
Legendary Petrivka book market will be torn down, replaced by shopping mall
Kyiv's famous Petrivka book market will be torn down and replaced by another shopping mall, according to documents available on the urban planning department website of the Kyiv City State Administration. The open air book market has attained legendary status among residents of the capital. It is the largest place
Lomachenko defeats Commey, eyes title bout
Three-division boxing champion Vasyl Lomachenko defeated Ghanaian lightweight Richard Commey by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Dec. 11. Though Commey went down to Lomachenko's left hook in the seventh, the late-night World Boxing Organization intercontinental title fight ran for the full 12 rounds. It
Ukraine’s Twitter meme ridiculing Russia goes viral
Living next to Russia causes headaches worse than migraine, according to the meme posted on Ukraine’s official Twitter account on Dec. 7. The joke was published amid the looming threat of a large-scale Russian military action against Ukraine. The meme lists four different types of headaches caused by migraine,
'Ukrainians Will Resist' hashtag trends amid looming Russian invasion
Thousands of Ukrainians, especially former military service members, have posted under the hashtag #UkrainiansWillResist on social media to show that they will fight the Russian military if it invades and will not accept ultimatums of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The messages appeared in response to Russia's buildup of 100,000
Ukrainian World War II drama wins at two film festivals in Europe
"Why I'm Alive," a film about a Ukrainian-Jewish family during the Nazi occupation of Soviet Ukraine, has been recognized as the best feature film at two minor international film festivals in November – the Europe Film Festival based in London and the Future of Film Awards in North Macedonia. Both festivals
Dota 2 developer changes tournament logo because of Ukraine’s decommunization law
How is Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin different from Pudge, a ghoulish hero from the hit game Dota 2? When they’re illustrated in the same style, framed by the same star wreathed in flame, perhaps not different enough to avoid legal problems in Ukraine. U.S. video game company Valve,
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.
Learn more about Ukraine's Culture
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
'Don't come, there's nothing good here' — Chinese soldiers warn against following Russian propaganda to fight in Ukraine
4 things you need to know about Victoria Spartz, the Ukrainian-born US lawmaker
'Putin is pure evil' — Trump's spiritual advisor on Russia's war against Ukraine
