Culture

Igor Pomerantsev in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, in September 2021.
Culture

‘A cult of death’ — Former Soviet dissident on Russia and authoritarianism's global rise

by Kate Tsurkan

In an authoritarian society, it’s free thinkers who are targeted by those in power. A book, a social media post, a private conversation — anything can be used against those who refuse to conform in a country ruled by intimidation, lies, and outright violence. This is why, in a world where authoritarianism appears to be on the rise, a free press is more important than ever. Few understand this reality better than Igor Pomerantsev, a veteran radio broadcaster, poet, and former Soviet dissident. H

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Ukraine war latest: Russia intensifies push on Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian military says

Hello, this is Asami Terajima reporting from Kyiv on day 1,419 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today's top story: Russian troops are intensifying their offensive on Chasiv Yar, seeking to build up forces and deploying a range of weapons, including multiple launch rocket systems, the Ukrainian military reported on Jan. 12. Securing a firmer grip on the hilly town in eastern Donetsk Oblast would allow Russian troops to intensify pressure on nearby Ukrainian-controlled cities and tow

‘They don’t know it’s war’ — How Ukraine's pets endure sirens and explosions

One night in late November, there was a loud explosion. The sky flashed white. Yura didn’t know what the sound was. She only knew it meant death might be near. She ran. Yura — or Yurha, as her family calls her — is a 12-year-old shepherd dog. Her legs ached. She could barely hear anymore. But her body remembered what to do. She pushed through the 1-meter-long yard, past the fence she had never crossed before. In the dark, she looked like a wolf — large, black, moving fast despite her age. By

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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