Culture

The Hidden Canon: Discover Ukrainian literary classics

A Kyiv Independent project backed by the Ukrainian Institute

How Ukraine's annual radio dictation brings a nation together, one word at a time

by Kate TsurkanOctober 26, 2026

As it turns out, dictation exercises are not just for schoolchildren. On Oct. 27, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians — from diaspora communities abroad to service members on the front lines — will take part in an annual tradition: listening, writing, and testing their mastery of the Ukrainian language. Organized by Ukrainian Radio since 2000, the annual Radio Dictation celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, bringing participants together to transcribe a text broadcast live acros

Controversial court ruling paves way for Russia's return to world ice hockey as Canada, European nations push back

by Chris PowersOctober 30, 2026

Russian general charged in absentia for missile strike on museum dedicated to 18th century Ukrainian philosopher

by Kate TsurkanOctober 29, 2026

On Ukraine's language day, Russia strikes publisher's warehouse in Kharkiv

by Kate TsurkanOctober 27, 2026

The Kyiv Independent 2026 Holiday Gift Guide still life (Bogdana Ferguson/The Kyiv Independent)

’Tis the season to shop Ukrainian: Kyiv Independent launches 2026 Holiday Gift Guide

by Kyiv IndependentOctober 30, 2026

“This Cursed Beautiful Land” by Gershkovich, and charred trees in Voronezh, Russia, on Aug. 1, 2010.

The trouble with loving Russia: Evan Gershkovich's memoir seeks sentimentality in a lost country

by Kate TsurkanOctober 24, 2026

Russian drone debris damages artwork of famous contemporary artist at museum in northwestern Ukraine

by Kate TsurkanOctober 14, 2026

The cover of “Naive My Love,” by Gunia Project, and “Pigeon and Dove” by Primachenko.

Inside Ukraine's world of naive art — and the Gunia aesthetic it inspired

by Kate TsurkanOctober 11, 2026

NewsLetters

News Feed

Saturday, October 31

01:07 PM

Russian attacks kill 5, injure at least 46 as Ukraine faces 'difficult' energy situation

Ukrainian forces downed 105 out of the 134 drones, including jet-powered attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Russian drones struck 20 different locations, and debris fell in 10 areas, according to the statement.

11:53 AM

Why Ukraine has launched a platform for citizens considering a future return

As millions of Ukrainians weigh what comes after displacement, a new platform aims to help people make informed decisions about returning home without telling them they should. For Ukrainians living across Europe, the hardest part of returning may no longer be the journey itself, but deciding where to begin with sorting out documents, work, housing, local services, or finding a place where rebuilding everyday life feels realistic. Many Ukrainians abroad have spent their time working toward sta

11:23 AM

Lavrov denies Kyiv Independent reporting on Russian push for Putin-Zelensky phone call

"Don't trust them," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said when asked about the reports.

11:24 PM

US approves $2.1 billion Patriot missile sale to Ukraine as Zelensky warns of years-long wait for deliveries

T"We are asking our American partners to find a solution for the time when there is a real danger and a real need to use PAC-3 interceptors," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Bundeswehr soldiers work on a crane between trailers with Patriot missile launchers.

09:39 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,588,180 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

The number includes 1,670 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

10:36 PM

Polish president cuts short foreign trip as constitutional crisis escalates in Warsaw

"At a moment like this, the president must be in Poland. I ⁠am cutting short my flight to Senegal. I am returning,” Nawrocki wrote on X.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki speaks at a presser.

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

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Culture

How Ukraine's annual radio dictation brings a nation together, one word at a time

Controversial court ruling paves way for Russia's return to world ice hockey as Canada, European nations push back

Russian general charged in absentia for missile strike on museum dedicated to 18th century Ukrainian philosopher

On Ukraine's language day, Russia strikes publisher's warehouse in Kharkiv

’Tis the season to shop Ukrainian: Kyiv Independent launches 2026 Holiday Gift Guide

The trouble with loving Russia: Evan Gershkovich's memoir seeks sentimentality in a lost country

Russian drone debris damages artwork of famous contemporary artist at museum in northwestern Ukraine

Inside Ukraine's world of naive art — and the Gunia aesthetic it inspired

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NewsLetters

News Feed

Russian attacks kill 5, injure at least 46 as Ukraine faces 'difficult' energy situation

Why Ukraine has launched a platform for citizens considering a future return

Lavrov denies Kyiv Independent reporting on Russian push for Putin-Zelensky phone call

US approves $2.1 billion Patriot missile sale to Ukraine as Zelensky warns of years-long wait for deliveries

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,588,180 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Polish president cuts short foreign trip as constitutional crisis escalates in Warsaw

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