Events – Nonprofit organisation

Tbilisi · Culture Moves Europe

We have started our international mobility in Georgia as part of the Culture Moves Europe programme!

Yesterday, the first working meeting of the “26 Days. A World Without War” project team took place. It is an international theatre initiative bringing together artists from Ukraine, Georgia, Germany, and other countries. We are currently in discussions with additional partners and hope the project will continue to grow.

Over the next ten days, we will get to know the Georgian team, hold a series of working meetings, visit potential venues for the premiere and artistic events, finalize the artistic concept of the project, distribute responsibilities among the partners, and coordinate the production plan and the next stages of preparation for the international premiere.

For us, this journey is about trust, collaboration, cultural dialogue, and a shared search for an artistic language that helps us speak about war, memory, and recovery.

We sincerely thank the Culture for Democracy team for their warm welcome, openness, and willingness to create together.

Special thanks to Anna Ryaboshenko for her professional support, care, belief in the project, and the incredible work that has made this international collaboration possible.

Kazkosvit in Lavra took place on November 1

Kazkosvit in Lavra — another day filled with warmth, creativity, and Ukrainian magic!

On November 1, the halls of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra were once again filled with a special atmosphere — children’s laughter, inspiration, and the magic of the spoken word.
This time, the young participants began with a creative workshop led by artist Lesia Maksaieva, where they crafted ethno-style bracelets inspired by traditional Ukrainian ornaments, colors, and symbols. Each bracelet became not only a beautiful accessory but also a sign of love for Ukrainian culture. Working with threads, beads, and patterns brought true joy, developing imagination, fine motor skills, and a sense of beauty.

After the creative part, the children immersed themselves in the enchanted world of Ukrainian folk tales, read by actress of theatre and film Olha Sobko. Her heartfelt voice, warmth, and artistry filled the space with kindness, wisdom, and the spirit of Ukrainian storytelling. The tales came to life before the audience’s eyes, becoming a bridge between past and present, between tradition and childhood wonder.

Every meeting within the project “Fairy Tale World in Lavra” is more than an event — it is a journey into imagination, culture, and goodness. Here, stories come alive, and art becomes a natural part of children’s growth and inspiration.

📖 Author and producer of the project — Olha Sobko
🎭 Director — Valeriia Demchenko
🎨 Artist — Lesia Maksaieva

We sincerely thank the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve and its administration for their support and cooperation. Thanks to you, this place has become a home for “Fairy Tale World” — a space where stories come alive and children discover the beauty of Ukrainian culture.

New meetings and magical stories await ahead — stay tuned for the next chapter of Fairy Tale World in Lavra!

Exhibition of Contemporary Ukrainian Symbolic Photography for Ukraine’s Independence Day

The exhibition of contemporary Ukrainian symbolic photography dedicated to Ukraine’s Independence Day has opened at the S. P. Korolyov National Museum of Cosmonautics.
This photographic art project is dedicated to the Ukrainian defenders and to all Ukrainians who are fighting for independence — to those who protect our country today, as well as to the inner and outer beauty of our people and their unbreakable will for freedom.

Our wonderful actresses Alla Binieieva and Anastasiia Tarkanii performed at the official opening ceremony.

The organizers of the event are the Creative Collective “Under the Angel’s Wing”, the S. P. Korolyov National Museum of Cosmonautics, and the art association Kyivphotos-Hall 2012 with the support of the National Union of Photographic Artists of Ukraine.

The coordinator of the photo exhibition is Valerii Leshchynskyi,
Creative/Art Director of Kyivphotos-Hall 2012.
The coordinator of the general exposition is Daryna Voloshchuk, S. P. Korolyov National Museum of Cosmonautics.

The exhibition presents works by Oksana Chorna, Oleh Andros, Serhii Mykhalchuk, Andrii Dubchak, Borys Bukhman, Andrii Telibaiev, Valerii Leshchynskyi, Mykola Korobskyi, Nelli Spirina, Mariia Maslova, Tetiana Fomenko, Anatolii Dzhyhyr, Valerii Khimich, Tetiana Charei, Viktoriia Ruben, Svitlana Zadorovska, Tetiana Bondarenko, Anastasiia Talpa, Olena Tsoma, Maksym Kobets, and Dmytro Semenovskyi.

The exhibition will run from August 15 to September 15, 2025.

Kazkosvit in the Lavra” Took Place on August 9

The Lavra Garden always warmly welcomes its guests, offering them truly special events!

As part of the Kazkosvit in the Lavra project, on August 9 the garden was filled with heartwarming poetic stories that opened up to young listeners a world of gentle strength, wit, and boundless imagination.

Actress Alla Binieieva and Anastasiia Lemeshko, a third-year student at Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, from the workshop of People’s Artist of Ukraine Lev Somov, brought to life the fairy tales of Ivan Nehoda, Nataliia Zabila, and Halyna Kruk. Their inspired performances created a unique atmosphere of sincerity and warmth for children and their parents.

As a keepsake of this magical event, the participants created eco tote bags with prints of real plants under the guidance of artisan Lesia Maksaieva — each bag became a one-of-a-kind creation of children’s imagination and love for nature.

The Kazkosvit in the Lavra project is implemented by the NGO “Holosy” in cooperation with the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”.
Project author: Olha Sobko.

The Ukrainian fairy tale will surely be heard again in the Lavra Garden! Follow our announcements and come to create your own magical stories with us.

The Ukrainian premiere of the play “Tuman” took place at the Dovzhenko Centre

On 27 July 2025, the Ukrainian premiere of the powerful theatrical production “Tuman” took place in Kyiv, on the stage of the Dovzhenko Centre — a stage project based on real testimonies from the war.
“Tuman” is not merely a theatrical work; it is a living chronicle of modern Ukraine, composed of letters, interviews, monologues, and confessions of people whose lives have been irreversibly changed by the war.

The production has already gained international recognition — after a striking premiere in Berlin that moved the European audience to tears, “Tuman” was presented to Ukrainian viewers for the first time.

The performance features the names of cities that have become symbols of resistance and pain — Kyiv, Odesa, Kherson, Kharkiv, Bakhchysarai, Olenivka, Kolomyia, Nova Kakhovka, Bucha… They appear both as scars and as beacons, guiding through the darkness towards the light.

Format and Creative Team

“Tuman” is staged in the genre of multimedia pseudo-documentary theatre, where artistic interpretation is intertwined with documentary truth.

Director — Valeria Demchenko
Producer — Olha Sobko
Authors of the texts — Nadiia Sukhorukova, Khachatur Vasilyan, Tetiana Fedorenko, Lev Somov, Valeria Demchenko, Olha Sobko
Choreography — Kateryna Pavlova
Cast — People’s Artist of Ukraine Lev Somov, Ruslan Miroshnychenko, Olha Sobko, Dmytro Korostylov, Mykyta Marchenko, Yurii Onopriiko, Anastasiia Tarkanii, Les Kacion, Alla Binieieva

Kazkosvit in The LAVRA July 5

In dark times, a fairy tale helps preserve the inner light.
With this in mind, the first gathering of the new cultural project “Kazkosvit in the Lavra” took place at the National Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve — a series of live fairy tale readings for children.
The event welcomed children of servicemen and displaced families currently living in Kyiv.

In the cozy setting of the Metropolitan Garden, the children listened to “King Crybaby and Laughterman” by Vasyl Symonenko — a bright, witty, and wise story about how laughter and kindness can transform even the darkest world.
The tale was read by Poltava-based actress Olha Cherniavska, who skillfully and vividly guided young listeners through the magical adventures of Laughterman.

Before the reading, the children took part in a creative workshop where they made festive paper crowns — led by artists Lesia Maksaieva and Aliona Strekanova — allowing each child to feel like a prince or princess in their own story.

At the opening, Acting Director General of the Reserve Svitlana Kotliarevska wished the children a joyful experience and reminded them that light should prevail not only in fairy tales but in real life as well — bringing more joy and carefree moments.

All participants received gifts from the organization Ukraine for Christ, enjoyed refreshments, and spent time in a warm, magical atmosphere where storytelling, imagination, and sincere emotions created a little miracle.

The “Kazkosvit in the Lavra” project is a collaboration between the National Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve and the NGO “Voices”, founded by Olga Sobko. Its goal is not only to popularize Ukrainian folk and literary fairy tales but also to elevate live artistic reading to the level of a cultural and spiritual experience.

The initiative is supported by the UA Military Chaplaincy Service.

More gatherings are already being prepared — stay tuned for announcements.
The fairy tale continues!

“Azovstal. The Voices” in Kyiv — marking the third anniversary of the captivity of Azovstal’s defenders

On May 17, a powerful performance of “Azovstal. The Voices” took place at the Dovzhenko Center in Kyiv, dedicated to the third anniversary of the capture of Mariupol’s defenders.
This project was born in the summer of 2022 — as a response from Ukrainian artists to the tragedy of Azovstal. Over three years, it has united dozens of cities, thousands of viewers, and hundreds of stories — not imagined, but lived.

Organizer:
International charitable foundation SVITLA.UA

This is no longer just an artistic initiative — it is a platform that refuses to let the world fall silent about those still held in captivity.

Among the evening’s special guests were veterans of the Azov Regiment and families of prisoners of war, who wait each day for their loved ones to return home.
Natalia Kravtsova, the mother of one of the captured soldiers, addressed the audience. Her words became the most piercing truth of the evening.

“Azovstal. The Voices” is a multimedia, immersive performance about dignity, memory, loss, and resilience.
On stage — the voice of everyone who continues to fight.
In the audience — a silence that speaks louder than words.

Creative team:
Director — Valeria Demchenko
Text author — Khachatur Vasylyan (originally from Mariupol)
Producer — Olha Sobko

Cast: Ruslan Miroshnychenko, Olha Sobko, Anastasiia Tarkanii, Oleksandr Zaika, Dmytro Korostyliov, Myron Shuvalov, Andrii Sobko

Original songs performed in the show:
– “Viyna” (War) — by Oleksandr Zhyla
– “Let It Burn” — by Oleksandr Zaika (band “The Broken Windows Theory”)

Special thanks to the Association of Families of Azovstal Defenders — our constant partner, ally, and friend.

This was more than a performance — it was a gathering.
A space of unity through pain and faith. Through memory and responsibility.

The project “Azovstal. The Voices” continues. Because our struggle continues.
And as long as there is someone who listens with their heart — these voices will keep speaking.

The event “Poetry of War” took place on March 1 at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

March 1, 2025

National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”

On March 1, as part of the artistic project “Mariupol Unbroken,” a poetry evening took place, becoming a special moment for all attendees. The event was held in a symbolic location—the Bell Tower of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a place where the past meets the present.

The evening brought together actors, poets, artists, and engaged spectators, who, through words, emotions, and art, once again voiced the truth about Ukraine, its resilience, and strength.

Performers of the evening:

Olha Cherniavska – her voice reaches the deepest corners of the heart, enveloping and making one feel.
Iryna Rozhdestvenska – an actress whose poetry speaks of pain but does not allow it to break us.
Anastasiia Tarkanii – her talent lives in the silence between words, in the echoes that remain after each line.
Nikita Sema – his words embody resilience, struggle, and faith in the victory of truth.
Alla Biniieva – an actress who knows how to make words tangible, transforming poetry into a living emotion.

The poetry evening was a volunteer initiative. This night was the participants’ contribution to the common struggle, their way of supporting those who are now defending our land and those who wait and dream of their loved ones returning home.

The event was organized by the public organization “Holosy” (“Voices”), with Olha Sobko as the curator of the project and the evening’s host.

“The poetry of war is not only about pain. It is words that stitch us together into a single whole, that help us hold on and remind us that we are strong. We preserve our culture, our language, and our memory even in the darkest of times. Let us remember – the darkest hour comes before the dawn,” summarized Olha Sobko.

The evening was yet another confirmation that Ukrainian culture is an inseparable part of our resistance. Every performance, every poem, every word carried the unbreakable spirit of Ukraine.

The evening was yet another confirmation that Ukrainian culture is an inseparable part of our resistance. Every performance, every poem, every word resonated as an act of faith, as a part of the great voice of unbroken Ukraine.

Premiere of the performance “THE FOG” in Berlin on January 25

NGO “VOICES” (Kyiv, Ukraine) in collaboration with
German partners “Hotel Continental – Art Space in Exile” (Berlin, Germany)

January 25

At Hotel Continental – Art Space in Exile, the premiere of the theatrical performance “THE FOG. Chronicles of a Victory That Hasn’t Happened Yet” took place, marking the result of a creative residency of Kyiv-based artists in Berlin.

Creators of the concept: Valeria Demchenko, Olha Sobko
Director: Valeria Demchenko
Texts by: Nadiya Sukhorukova, Khachatur Vasilian, Valeria Demchenko, Olha Sobko
Cast: People’s Artist of Ukraine Lev Somov, Anastasiia Basha, Ruslan Miroshnychenko, Dmytro Korostylov, Mykyta Marchenko, Yurii Onopriiko, Olha Sobko, Anastasiia Tarkanii.
Producer: Olha Sobko

The performance was presented as part of the Goethe-Institut grant program, under the “Artistic Residency” category.

Performance Format:

A multicultural performance with elements of immersion (theater, choreography, documentary chronicle).

The performance is created in the pseudo-documentary genre – structured as interviews with people who, through immense sacrifice and effort, managed to survive horrifying events and reclaim their freedom and homeland. It speaks of the near future—a future we all long to believe in—where victory has already been achieved and the fog of war has dispersed forever. Yet, for those who have been through this fog, the true cost of freedom is now clear.

A Full House Beyond Capacity

The performance gathered over 100 spectators, despite the venue’s official capacity of just 60 seats. People sat on the stairs, stood along the walls—determined not to miss a single word, a single movement, or a single breath of this unique performance.

The audience included both Ukrainians and Germans, with representatives from the artistic and cultural community, journalists, activists, and individuals deeply affected by the themes explored. The performance was conducted in Ukrainian, with English and German subtitles provided for international viewers.

Director Valeria Demchenko on the Message of the Project:

“The message of this project is that each of us can find our own path to victory, even if that path is shrouded in the fog of uncertainty and fear. But the only way out of this fog is by standing together. Only in unity can we overcome all obstacles. We are different, we have different experiences, but what unites us all is the desire to liberate our land and build a happy future.”

Producer and Actress Olha Sobko on the Power of Memory:

“This performance is about memory—one that cannot be silenced, about people who refused to be broken. We all want to believe that our victory is near. But our mission is not just to wait for it. We must document, speak out, feel, and convey the truth through art.”

Additional Exhibit – “Mariupol Unbroken”

As part of the event on January 25, a special exhibition showcased a selection of paintings from the “Mariupol Unbroken” project.

This work was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.

“Mariupol Unbroken” in Berlin

Report on the Exhibition “Mariupol Unconquered” in Berlin

From January 25 to February 3, the “Mariupol Unconquered” exhibition took place at Hotel Continental – Art Space in Exile (Berlin), dedicated to the resilience and indomitable spirit of Mariupol’s residents. It became part of an artistic initiative aimed at drawing attention to the city’s tragedy through visual art.

Before the premiere of the performance “FOG. Chronicles of a Victory Yet to Come,” visitors had the opportunity to explore the exhibition, which featured paintings by artists inspired by the events in Mariupol. These works reflected the pain of loss, the strength of resistance, and the hope for recovery.

The exhibition evoked strong emotions among the audience, who noted its profound symbolism and importance in preserving the memory of the city. Ukrainians, Germans, and the international community carefully examined the paintings, discussed their meaning, and shared their impressions.

The youngest participant of the exhibition was a young schoolgirl from Kyiv, Varvara Sobko, with her artwork “The Eyes of Azovstal.” She is a student at the Shevchenko Art Lyceum.

This event became a significant cultural statement, not only telling the story of Mariupol’s tragedy but also opening a space for dialogue about the future of Ukrainian culture. The exhibition attracted the attention of journalists and art figures, which could lead to further international presentations of the project.

The organizers express their sincere gratitude to all visitors and partners who supported this initiative. “Mariupol Unconquered” is an artistic reminder of a city that continues to live in the hearts of its people.