Culture

The Hidden Canon: Discover Ukrainian literary classics

A Kyiv Independent project backed by the Ukrainian Institute

Kyiv Independent recommends 5 translated Ukrainian books to look out for in late 2026 and early 2027

by Kate TsurkanSeptember 24, 2026

This November marks a milestone for Ukrainian literature in English translation — and especially for Ukraine's literary legend Yuri Andrukhovych. Andrukhovych's novel "Radio Night" will be the first contemporary Ukrainian novel published by New York Review Books, which boasts one of the most diverse and well-curated literary catalogs in English-language literature. They previously published his poetry collection "Set Change," which features verse from the 1980s and 1990s, in 2024. A publisher

Ukraine's Culture Ministry announces major fundraising initiative to help publishers struggling after Russian attacks

by Kate TsurkanSeptember 21, 2026

Award-winning director Andrey Zvyagintsev labeled 'foreign agent' by Kremlin

by Kate TsurkanSeptember 18, 2026

How a dissident poet became Ukraine’s moral compass

by Kate TsurkanSeptember 18, 2026

'I'm Russian, and I support my country,' Ovechkin says after appearing in campaign ad for Putin's party

by Volodymyr IvanyshynSeptember 18, 2026

Ukraine picks documentary on women surviving Russian sexual violence for its Oscars submission

by Kate TsurkanSeptember 17, 2026

Angelina Jolie visited Kharkiv during 3rd wartime trip to Ukraine in August

by Kateryna DenisovaSeptember 16, 2026

Russia's cinemas may lose their backdoor access to Hollywood blockbusters

by Karol LuczkaSeptember 14, 2026

NewsLetters

News Feed

Monday, September 28

06:54 PM

EU's decision to pay for alleged 'anti-reform' draws criticism from Ukrainian experts

The Ukrainian judicial watchdog Dejure argued in June that "rather than improving the integrity declaration system, (the integrity declarations law) effectively dismantles integrity declarations as a meaningful tool for holding judges accountable."

06:31 PM

Ukraine’s defense tech boom needs more than battlefield innovation, deputy minister says

Ukraine’s defense technology industry has moved fast to meet battlefield demands, but it rests on a fragile foundation as it depends on foreign suppliers for essential components. Natalia Denikeieva, a deputy minister of digital transformation, says producing more of those components at home is a question of survival. "We are not technological and innovative because one day we woke up and decided to be," she told the Kyiv Independent in an interview in central Kyiv. "For us, it’s a matter of s

Natalia Denikeieva at the VivaTech conference in Paris, France, on June 18, 2026.

05:41 PM

Poland to ease rules for shooting down drones, missiles entering from Russia

Visual identification of targets by pilots would not longer be required, Poland's Deputy Defense Minister said.

05:27 PM

Kyiv Independent community helps fund 26 drone detectors for front-line journalists

The Kyiv Independent community helped raise more than $24,000 through an online store collection launched to mark World Press Freedom Day, enabling the purchase of 26 drone detectors to help protect independent journalists reporting from Ukraine’s front lines.

Natalia Chaika with her new drone detector (Mediabase Zaporizhzhia)

03:38 PM

Zelensky faces backlash over appointment of judge accused of persecuting EuroMaidan protesters

Viktor Kytsyuk is one of the most high-profile judges accused of issuing unlawful rulings against protesters during the the 2013-2014 EuroMaidan Revolution, or Revolution of Dignity, which ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.

02:00 PM

Breaking: Medical center, science academy struck in downtown Kyiv as all-day Russian drone attacks continue

In the city center, local media and Telegram channels reported a strike next to the main campus of Kyiv's Taras Shevchenko National University.

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.

June 12, 2025‘I feel like I lost 3 years’ — Ukrainian author turned soldier Artem Chapeye on culture during war

June 11, 2025'Ukrainians have been stripped of illusion of control' — Filmmaker Kateryna Gornostai on Russia's war, cinema and reclaiming the narrative

March 26, 2025Explainer: Some Ukrainians speak Russian language — it doesn’t make them Russian

Editors' Picks

As Russia adapts to Ukraine's middle strikes, elite drone units stay ahead of the curve

Culture

Kyiv Independent recommends 5 translated Ukrainian books to look out for in late 2026 and early 2027

Ukraine's Culture Ministry announces major fundraising initiative to help publishers struggling after Russian attacks

Award-winning director Andrey Zvyagintsev labeled 'foreign agent' by Kremlin

How a dissident poet became Ukraine’s moral compass

'I'm Russian, and I support my country,' Ovechkin says after appearing in campaign ad for Putin's party

Ukraine picks documentary on women surviving Russian sexual violence for its Oscars submission

Angelina Jolie visited Kharkiv during 3rd wartime trip to Ukraine in August

Russia's cinemas may lose their backdoor access to Hollywood blockbusters

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NewsLetters

News Feed

EU's decision to pay for alleged 'anti-reform' draws criticism from Ukrainian experts

Ukraine’s defense tech boom needs more than battlefield innovation, deputy minister says

Poland to ease rules for shooting down drones, missiles entering from Russia

Kyiv Independent community helps fund 26 drone detectors for front-line journalists

Zelensky faces backlash over appointment of judge accused of persecuting EuroMaidan protesters

Breaking: Medical center, science academy struck in downtown Kyiv as all-day Russian drone attacks continue

About Culture

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