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The Hidden Canon: Discover Ukrainian literary classics

A Kyiv Independent project backed by the Ukrainian Institute

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'Hemingway Knows Nothing': Ukraine's writers are redefining literature of war
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'Hemingway Knows Nothing': Ukraine's writers are redefining literature of war

by Kate Tsurkan

When war, loss, and unimaginable suffering become routine, a book can offer a kind of lifeline — especially one by a writer who has lived through such an ordeal and tried to make sense of it. At the start of Russia’s full-scale war, some Ukrainians speculated if they’d see the rise of their own Ernest Hemingway: a writer whose books would not only capture the experience of a generation but come to define it. Yet it soon became clear that the old paradigms of war literature no longer spoke to t

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The Kyiv Independent travel series 'Dare to Ukraine' gets its own YouTube channel

The Kyiv Independent's wartime travel series, "Dare to Ukraine," now has a YouTube channel of its own. Both seasons are available on the newly launched “Dare to Ukraine” channel, giving viewers one place to follow the full journey – from the country's biggest cities to a small village in Kyiv Oblast.

"Dare to Ukraine: Village"of the Kyiv Independent's wartime travel series.

Ukraine war latest: Russian attacks hit Kyiv for 7th consecutive day, at least 13 injured

Key developments on Sept. 2: * Russian drones strike central Kyiv, at least 13 injured * Shootout between SBU and HUR in Kyiv during investigation of Russian FSB plot * Zelensky appoints new Ground Forces commander * Ukraine strikes Russian depots, confirms MiG-29, Ka-27 destroyed in earlier attacks * Zelensky announces new air alert system as Russia strikes Kyiv for seventh consecutive day At least 13 people have been injured after Russian drones struck central Kyiv on the morning of Sep

Ukraine's plan to close Russia's airspace — what we know

Ukraine wants to close Russia's skies and has a plan to do it. In an announcement on Sept. 1, President Volodymyr Zelensky gave few details about what it would entail, other than making clear it would involve lots of drones. "There will simply be drones in Russia's skies on a scale that has to be taken into account," he said, as he warned "every airline that uses Russian airspace" against flying over the country. "The Russian sky will be de facto closed," he added. Zelensky's announcement co

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026.

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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