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

“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

A man walks past a closed bar at the Bessarabskyi Market in Kyiv, Ukraine on Oct. 6, 2026.

Food court flop? Kyiv’s historic market empties after million-dollar makeover

by Alessandra HayOctober 9, 2026

Ukrainian actor Serhii Strelnikov enlists in Unmanned Systems Forces

by Kate TsurkanOctober 8, 2026

Luke Harding's 'Betrayal' charts the collapse of the rules-based order — and who is to blame

by Kate TsurkanOctober 5, 2026

20-year-old sentenced to life in prison for murder of Ukrainian language advocate, ex-lawmaker Iryna Farion

by Kate TsurkanOctober 1, 2026

NewsLetters

News Feed

Tuesday, October 27

03:34 PM

Russia's return to global sports gathers momentum as EU mulls response

"Sports and culture must not become vehicles for whitewashing Russian aggression," the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Oct. 13. But since then, Russia has advanced its sports agenda in at least two instances.

03:19 PM

Ukrainian postal service forms private air defense force, shoots down Russian drones

Nova Poshta is the largest private postal and courier company in Ukraine, operating over 15,817 branches across the country, and employing over 34,000 people. Its post offices and distribution centers have frequently come under Russian attack.

10:16 PM

Deadly Russian ballistic missile attack hits Kyiv university, bridge, medical centers

Russia launched two waves of ballistic missiles at the capital overnight, targeting a major bridge, metro stations, and other civilian infrastructure.

Smoke rises from Kyiv's Southern Bridge after a Russian missile attack

04:58 AM

Oleshky ceasefire begins, Budanov says

A ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Russian occupied city began as Russian forces launched ballistic missiles at other parts of Ukraine.

12:22 PM

Norway, Finland call Putin ahead of potential Abu Dhabi peace talks

"The outcome of this war will have a direct impact on our and the broader European security. Ending the war requires direct discussions," said Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

01:25 PM

302,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded by Ukrainian drones since January, Defense Ministry says

The highest number of casualties Ukrainian drones inflicted on the Russian military was recorded in March, with almost 34,000 soldiers killed or irrecoverably wounded.

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

Culture

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

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

Food court flop? Kyiv’s historic market empties after million-dollar makeover

Ukrainian actor Serhii Strelnikov enlists in Unmanned Systems Forces

Luke Harding's 'Betrayal' charts the collapse of the rules-based order — and who is to blame

20-year-old sentenced to life in prison for murder of Ukrainian language advocate, ex-lawmaker Iryna Farion

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Kanye West's sold-out Russia concerts cancelled, organizers confirm

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NewsLetters

News Feed

Russia's return to global sports gathers momentum as EU mulls response

Ukrainian postal service forms private air defense force, shoots down Russian drones

Deadly Russian ballistic missile attack hits Kyiv university, bridge, medical centers

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Norway, Finland call Putin ahead of potential Abu Dhabi peace talks

302,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded by Ukrainian drones since January, Defense Ministry says

About Culture

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

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