but also the symbols that these traditions embody
One of these symbols is the largest pysanka in Ukraine
This is the Museum of Easter Egg Painting in Kolomyia
an architectural gem that has become the calling card of the city and the entire Ivano-Frankivsk region
This is the only museum in the world completely dedicated to pysanka as a phenomenon of Ukrainian folk art
but it received its original architectural form — in the form of a huge pysanka over 13 meters high — only in 2000
The idea of creating a thematic building arose during the preparation for the 10th International Hutsul Festival
The project was implemented in just 90 days
The building became so unique that it quickly gained the status of an unofficial symbol of Kolomyia and the Carpathian region
The city began to be called “Easter Egg City”
and the museum itself was called “the main Easter egg of Ukraine”
any architecture needs attention - this is what happened to the museum
there was an urgent need not just to update the facade
but to provide comprehensive protection for the entire structure
It was an architecturally complex building
the central part of which is made of reinforced concrete
Conventional methods were not suitable here: no typical insulation system was designed for conditions when the facade is actually a roof
And given the specifics of the Carpathian climate - heavy rains
frosts - the project required a non-standard engineering approach
Photo provided by the Museum of Easter Paintings
The Caparol Ukraine team was invited to work
The project was led by technologist Maryan Lyubun and key project development manager Oleksandr Stefanivskyi
The task was non-trivial: to preserve the aesthetics and historical authenticity of the museum
while providing it with a modern level of protection from external influences
It was decided to use an experimental multilayer system capable of withstanding significant mechanical and climatic loads
The key elements were double reinforcement
a specially selected sequence of material application
and local reinforcement of the structure in the upper part of the “pysanka”
This combination ensured the preservation of the unique appearance of the object
the museum has survived several winters with heavy snowfalls and downpours without any signs of destruction
local authorities were considering the idea of installing an additional tent roof over the museum
Such a solution could partially protect the building from precipitation
but at the same time would change its appearance and concept.Thanks to Caparol's comprehensive solution
the museum is protected without additional structures and looks exactly as the authors intended more than two decades ago
Preservation of such architectural objects is not only about technique and materials
This project combines love of tradition and modern technology
engineering skills and a sense of responsibility for heritage
The Pysanka Museum in Kolomyia continues to welcome visitors
And now we know for sure: it is ready for any weather
Caparol and Ukrainian House: partnership for the future of Ukrainian culture
Dakh: Vernacular Hardcore. What will the Ukrainian pavilion at the Venice Biennale be like?
Dmytro Solovoyov presented a photo project exploring modernist architecture in Ukraine
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Ukraine will celebrate the 190th anniversary of the outstanding chronicler of Carpathian Galicia
For the last 25 years of his life, he lived in Kolomyia, where he created photographic masterpieces at the European level and glorified his region throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which included Galicia
Suffice it to say that in the summer of 1880
the city hosted a grand Ethnographic Exhibition
admired the folk types and photographs of the Eastern Carpathians
Mykhailo Chernichkin visited Kolomyia and told about the pioneer of Galician photography and his legacy specially for Zaborona
For many decades of the nineteenth century
Juliusz Dutkiewicz reached a wide audience through the press as well as European scientific
There is still no accurate biographical information about Dutkiewicz’s life
A mysterious gloom hides both the time of his birth and death
Only the great creative heritage (photographs
and postcards) of the photographer allows us to realize and truthfully describe the events of his life and places where he worked; to understand the stages of his artistic search
Researchers from Ukraine and Canada are constantly researching new facts about Juliusz Dutkiewicz, offering their own versions of his biography. The latest thorough work belongs to a researcher from Canada, Ksenia Kebuzynska
who found an album with Dutkiewicz’s works in the library at the University of Toronto
Her findings also reveal the story of the photographer’s family
served in the Austrian army as an artilleryman
he returned home and later settled in Stanislaviv (now Ivano-Frankivsk)
during the “Spring of Nations,” Dutkiewicz’s father rejoined the army and defended the city from Polish insurgents
He was awarded and transferred to Chernivtsi to a higher position
It is known that his son Juliusz got married in Chernivtsi
The couple seems to have begun their independent life in the small Bukovynian town of Suceava (now part of Romania)
His first wife was significantly older than Dutkiewicz
who had been interested in his father’s business of creating books and albums since childhood
he invited the community to order photographic portraits
where he continued to practice photography until 1874
In 1875-1876 he tried to establish his photography business in Lviv
where he spent 25 years of tireless work in a photo studio
there are almost no traces of the first photographer of Kolomyia in the city
the Museum of Folk Art and the Museum of City History
Among the photographer’s preserved heritage
presented by the National Museum of Folk Art of Hutsulshchyna and Pokuttia
Someone confidently marked the year of its creation — 1872 — twice in blue ink on the front side
and wrote the name “Hutsul” on the back
The museum staff preserved this ancient artifact of Dutkiewicz’s 150-year-old studio for posterity
It’s safe to say that one of Juliusz Dutkiewicz’s most famous works
sometimes called “The Gypsy Water Carrier from Kosovo,” was first published in 1872 when he was working fruitfully in Stanislaviv
My trip to Kolomyia was motivated by the hope of seeing another photograph by Dutkiewicz
which is important not only for the history of photography but also for the history of Ukraine
This is a large-format group photo of peasants from nearby towns who brought firas full of stones to start construction of the Rus’ People’s House in Kolomyia
Kobrynsky National Museum of Hutsulshchyna and Pokuttia Folk Art
rector of the Greek Catholic Church in the village of Myshyn
spent the last 20 years of his life implementing the idea of building a People’s House in Kolomyia
a cultural and educational center for the Ukrainian community
Kobrynsky invited Juliusz Dutkiewicz to photograph the beginning of construction to draw more public attention to the project
The entire Kolomyia district raised funds to buy a plot of land
It took ten years to erect the three-story building in the center of Kolomyia
The House opened its doors in 1902 when the chief builder from Myshyn had already passed away…
Here is how the Kolomyia newspaper “Russian Council” #104 of 1892 described the history of this photo: “When all the firas arrived at the construction site and unloaded the stone they had brought
took a picture of all those arrived… We only regret that the honorable citizens of Ispas were a little late
when the photographic apparatus was taken home
as he offered his work and expenses for the eternal memorial
That image will be placed in the room of the future temple of nations…”
constantly reminded me of one thing: “The place of the meeting cannot be changed
That’s Panska Street in Kolomyia!”
Juliusz Dutkiewicz rented a large wooden warehouse for a photography studio
He immediately placed an advertisement in the newspaper and probably took a promotional photo of his establishment in the style of the American Wild West
An enchanting promo for the studio and an enchanting photo indeed
The historic ranch building at 2 Panska Street survived two world wars but was destroyed by the Soviet authorities in the 1950s
When the road from the center to the train station was being widened
and now the numbers of the houses on the modern Franko Street start with four
Dutkiewicza looked like 152 years ago in Dutkiewicz’s original print at the photo exhibition “Unknown Photographer J
Dutkiewicz,” which has been open since August 6
at the Museum of Hutsulshchyna and Pokuttya
The master’s photographs are exhibited in Kolomyia for the third time
The first one was at the Photographic Exhibition of 1871
where Dutkiewicz received his first professional award
and the second time was at the triumphant Ethnographic Exhibition of 1880
I am looking forward to this year’s event
as it will be my real meeting on Panska Street
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Commander of the reconnaissance company headquarters battalion of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Ground Forces
Stepan Vorobets' from Kolomyya fell in battle under Slovyansk
"He would have never fled from this war
nor would have hidden - said Hanna Vorobets'
mother of the deceased - He wanted to fight
so that his sons could be proud of him."
Stepan Vorobets' – was a graduate of the Carpathian Military-Sports Lyceum-Boarding school in Nadvirna
On the 19th anniversary of the establishment
the Lyceum organized a memorial evening in tribute to Stepan Vorobets'
his wife Svitlana and his classmates were invited
Stepan is said to have been a very conscientious
diligent student with a passion for history and physical education - the subjects which have a strong impact on the mind and body
Classmates stress that he could always gather friends around himself
- He was a one of a kind friend - recalls Stepan’s classmate and friend
- Sometimes life throws obstacles your way
forcing you to take a step back and Stepan was the concrete wall which did not allow you to fall
To say that he was a good man is to say nothing about him
There are not enough words to describe the person he was: brave
he tried to accomplish it to the best of his ability
Classmate Zhenya Kovalskyy met Stepan Vorobets' in ninth grade
He says that even at such a young age it was already evident that the guy rooted for Ukraine
was a patriot and tried to convey this patriotism to his peers
there was an air of strength and positivity around him
He made good progress in the military sphere
Stepan wanted to achieve success through his own efforts and muscles and become a role model
He succeeded to the full extent," - he stressed
- Stepan Vorobets' will be permanently in the heroic history of our institution
- says director of the Carpathian Military-Sports Lyceum Colonel Mykola Martynyuk
- The life examples of such figures as Stepan Vorobets' must be used to educate our lyceum pupils
I have hope that this event will have a lasting effect on our lyceum pupils and will play a significant role in their development as individuals
We plan to create a hall of memory in tribute to ATO victims
Along with Stepan another one of our graduates was killed – Viktor Semchuk
sniper in the intelligence division of the headquarters battalion of 24th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Stepan dreamed of becoming a military man since childhood
Vorobets' Hanna says that from an early age her son was confident that he would achieve this professional dream and intended to start a military dynasty in the family
So when the boy learned about the establishment of the Carpathian Military-Sports Lyceum in Bohorodchany (up to 2004 the institution functioned in Bohorodchany) he began preparing for the entrance exams without second thoughts
But he was my only child who knew from an early age what he wanted to do professionally - says Hanna Vorobets'
because there is no history of military in our family
At school (Stepan studied at school #1 named after V
Stefanyk in Kolomyya - ed.) he heard that a military-sports lyceum-boarding school was established in Bohorodchany
But he passed all the exams and was admitted
Stepan Vorobets’s mother fights hard to hold back her tears when talking about her heroic son
But memories are all she has left and she continues proudly and confidently
as he gave his life for the peaceful future of each of us
- From an early age Stepan was very independent and responsible - she continues
- Since the first grade he went swimming in the river Prut all by himself
otherwise I would not have known where he would wind up
he played soccer and even as a child he demonstrated leadership qualities
he organized a competition among football teams in the neighborhood
He always finished every task that he undertook
He liked to make jokes; he was the life and soul of any gathering
On all the photos there is a smile on his face
After graduating from the Carpathian Military-Sports Lyceum-Boarding school Stepan joined the Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy
namely the faculty of artillery reconnaissance
although he dreamed about the special forces and airborne troops
so Stepanko could not get into the faculty of his dream - notes Hanna Vorobets'.- He studied well and sought opportunities for self-improvement
arm-wrestling, hand-to-hand fighting
He dreamed about serving in the special forces
but it so happened that he went into reconnaissance and became an excellent scout."
Stepan Vorobets' was sent to study in a US intelligence school
Hanna Stepanivna says that after the death of her son she was contacted by a Latvian young man
who studied in the United States along with Stepan
The man talked for two hours with the family of the deceased about his thoughts and ambitions
And what Stepan dreamed about was reforming the Ukrainian army
He wanted to implement the best practices of military service from around the world in his native country
There is so much more he could have done"- the woman says with pain
there are plans to name one of the halls in that intelligence school in America in honor of Stepan Vorobets'
he served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade as commander of the reconnaissance company of headquarters battalion
"He trained his subordinates strenuously
– He set up such an obstacle course in the military part as he considered necessary; they jumped through fire and into icy water
He trained soldiers vigorously saying that if you do not train
your enemy does and will defeat you in battle
He prepared himself and his men not to be afraid in battle
He never complained about the lack of food or water
He would often say that the mind is the best muscle you have
because a person has to think how to perform a task with minimal losses
stressed that a scout must be ready to give his life for a brother-in-arms
our Ukraine would have become free and independent a long time ago."
Stepan Vorobets' wrote "Scout’s Code of Honor" and developed a chevron for his reconnaissance company
it is difficult to read his slogan without tears: "For life – till death
with Ukraine in my heart." "Scout’s Code of Honor" is his personal code
because he lived by it and taught others to do so
honor – to no one" - these prophetic words begin the code
"The spiritual bases for a scout are the traditions of the bohatyrs (heroes) of Kyyivan Rus`
scouts of previous generations and those who have shed blood for the prosperity
One does not become a scout for life; the right has to be earned daily
who puts the safety and welfare of the Ukrainian people above their own interests and does everything possible to protect his Homeland
A scout has to work and live for the good of Ukraine
Respect the national feelings of other nations
but strongly resist any detectable anti-Ukrainian sentiment
Only he is a true scout who is proud to give his life for God
"- so bequeathed Captain Stepan Vorobets'
who did not violate the code of honor and became a true scout ..
"He was the best husband and father - says wife Svitlana through tears
When I visited him at work was the first time I heard him giving orders
because never before have I heard such a tone in his voice
The eldest son Andriyko is a fourth-grader
When the couple’s youngest son Denys was born
During his life he held his youngest son in his arms only several times
"On the ninth-day memorial service in tribute of Stepan Denys turned one" - adds Hanna Stepanivna
Stepan dreamed that one day his children would carry on his mission and would also join the military
"When I was going to the Lyceum Andriyko said: "Go and take a look at where my dad studied for I
will study there one day"- says Svitlana Vorobets
because sometimes he wakes up in the morning and asks for a photograph of his father
Hanna Vorobets did not have enough time to send the much needed thermal imager to her son on the front
"I addressed the deputies at the Kolomyya City Council session to help the military
When they learned that I was raising money for a thermal imager
they started bringing money just like to Stepan’s wedding
"for honor" (not holding back tears)
I was very surprised at my son’s request not to send the bag to headquarters
I already gave it to the soldiers who served with my Stepanko and who brought his body."
when the military men were caught in an ambush between Yampol and Zakitne
he sent a text message to his wife with the following words: " I love you ..
take my sails." He must have felt that he would not be coming back,"- notes Hanna Vorobets' sadly
– They’ve torn my heart out of my soul
not until I managed to contact his friends who took away his body from the battlefield
because our headquarters are filled with pro-Russian "FSB agents"
because they have been turned in by pro-Russian generals
There should be professionals in headquarters and
who are waiting for their sons from the front
Hanna Vorobets gives them a single piece of advice: support your children under any circumstances
"If your child does not have a bulletproof vest
raise money and buy that bulletproof vest and take it down there yourself
you never know when and what will actually be delivered
Help your children be strong and do not put a deserter stigma on those who have retreated from Prykarpattya (5th Battalion of Territorial Defence "Carpathian"
Commander Komar brought back children to their mothers
Captain Stepan Vorobets was buried in his hometown on the Walk of Heroes beside the grave of Colonel Taras Senyuk
By a Presidential Decree from 21 August 2014 Stepan Vorobets was posthumously awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky I class - for personal courage and heroism in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine
"I am proud of my son - says Hanna Vorobets' through tears
- But to live without him – is a terrible burden ..
Communications Manager at Legal Development Network
in cooperation with the humanitarian organization People in Need and with financial support from the Czech Development Agency
identified and analyzed the needs and potential for developing and implementing strategic plans and recovery plans during the war in six communities participating in the Vidnova project
The next stage involved a sociological study that assessed the capacity of communities to respond to the challenges of war
This material presents the most significant findings of the sociological survey conducted in the Kolomyia Community of Ivano-Frankivsk Region
which examined the needs of military personnel
Explore the comprehensive study on the needs and potential of the Kolomyia Community
“Before developing a strategic plan and recovery plan in our community
where the main veteran support activities were concentrated
bringing together various organizations and creating a platform for cooperation between civil society
and state authorities,” said Solomiia Zinets-Matsyshyn
and expertise for community development in the Vidnova project in Ivano-Frankivsk Region
320 people from 6 towns and villages of the Kolomyia Community participated
The respondents included 94 relatives or close family members of combatants
13 veterans who took part in combat operations after the full-scale invasion
and 213 community residents who are neither veterans nor family members of combatants
The survey was conducted using a street interview method
with a questionnaire programmed for mobile devices
Some interviews with groups that were harder to reach (veterans and relatives of combatants) were conducted remotely
Due to the small number of surveyed veterans
their responses should be considered as trends requiring further verification
and a significant portion of its residents has a direct connection to military service
One of the key confirmations of the relevance of developing a high-quality veteran policy—one that takes into account needs
and weak points—is the high level of engagement and interest shown by respondents during the survey
Compared to other sociological studies in different communities
this was particularly noticeable,” said Mykhailo Danyshchuk
69% of respondents are willing to support military personnel and veterans
almost three-quarters (74%) of survey participants identified assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a priority area for funding
58% stated that they need information on how to communicate with people who have combat experience
“These are the responses of community residents who do not have close family members—children
or spouses—who have ever participated in combat operations
The fact that more than half of the respondents expressed a need for information on communication with people who have combat experience is a telling indicator,” noted Maryna Shpiker
sociologist and coordinator of the comprehensive research teams
Almost unanimously—95%—of respondents agreed that traditions of honoring veterans should be introduced in the community
An overwhelming majority of respondents (94%) support the creation of subsidized educational programs for veterans and assistance in launching small businesses or self-employment initiatives
69% of Kolomyia Community residents expressed willingness to support veterans and military families
Among those interested in providing assistance
41% would assist families of active military personnel
residents stated that they could provide material assistance (58%) or engage in volunteer activities within an organization specifically focused on veteran affairs (46%)
not all veterans feel a sense of respect due to their status
“This is not the first study on veteran policy that I have encountered or helped conduct
That is why I can say that this persistent trend of declared respect for veterans is not strongly felt by the veterans themselves—they feel that something is missing
and establish traditions of commemoration.’ But when you ask the veterans themselves
The respect declared by ordinary residents does not manifest in a form that veterans widely recognize,” said Maryna Shpiker
more than half (54%) of family members of combatants tend to agree that they feel respected by other community residents due to the fact that their loved one is currently or was previously involved in defending Ukraine
family members of military personnel were twice as likely to choose the response “yes” compared to relatives of veterans
who responded more cautiously (“rather yes”)
“The results of the sociological survey indicate that a significant portion of the community expresses a willingness to support veterans
yet veterans themselves often do not feel this support
One of the key problems is clearly the lack of understanding of specific support mechanisms and insufficient public awareness of the real needs of veterans
It is crucial to conduct systematic work within the community
particularly by establishing veteran spaces that can serve as centers for support and interaction
The Kolomyia Community already has such a space
so it is essential to consolidate efforts around it to improve communication and trust,” noted Mykhailo Danyshchuk
The majority of residents support providing priority services to veterans and their families
while veterans prefer to receive services in separate facilities from dedicated specialists
“Which model of social support and assistance for veterans and families of combatants do you support the most?”
the majority of respondents (44%) stated that they support a model in which services for these groups are provided out of turn by specialists who work with all community residents
this model ranked only third in preference
Veterans primarily prefer receiving services in separate facilities from dedicated specialists
while their second preference was receiving services from dedicated specialists within the community’s shared infrastructure.
the responses to this question are not indicative either for Kolomyia Community or for other communities where veteran policy was studied
veterans say they prefer to receive services simply out of turn
they prefer to be served in separate facilities by dedicated specialists to avoid interaction with civilians
Perhaps veterans do not feel entirely comfortable in public spaces with large crowds and require greater privacy
this issue requires further in-depth research,” commented Maryna Shpiker
Veterans can satisfy a minority of their needs within the community
According to veteran respondents in Kolomyia Community
their best-rated aspect of life is relationships with loved ones
with an average score of 7.7 on a 10-point scale
The most challenging areas for veterans include their economic situation
and possibilities for self-fulfillment—most of their assessments were negative
with an average score not exceeding 5 out of 10
two are engaged in self-employed activities
the hierarchy of problematic aspects of veterans’ lives vary from community to community
the economic situation and financial well-being have emerged as major pain points
in Tlumach Community of the same Ivano-Frankivsk Region
veterans rated their psychological and physical health as the most critical concern
where veteran policy was also studied as part of the Vidnova project
veterans consider both economic conditions and health status to be their most challenging aspects
Regarding the needs of veterans in Kolomyia Community
the most frequently reported needs include medical services
Other relatively high-demand services include psychological support
educational programs and retraining courses
and transportation services are in comparatively lower demand
Veterans say that they can meet only a minority of their needs within their community
veterans who reported having specific needs believe that they cannot fully meet them anywhere
they indicated that their needs could only be met outside the community
The key reasons why veterans are unable to meet their needs across all services are the lack of relevant opportunities (services
jobs) within the community and the ineligibility for receiving services due to specific criteria
It is notable that the majority of community residents (76%) place primary responsibility for financing social support measures for veterans on the state
while a minority assigns this responsibility to the local budget
these figures may indicate that people do not believe in the capacity of the local budget to meet veterans’ needs
More than 60% of military families have not received any assistance
The majority (60%) of families of combatants (veterans
and fallen service members) require assistance in addressing their problems
The most pressing needs include psychological support (32%)
medical treatment and wellness services (20%)
support with bureaucratic and legal matters (20%)
Families of military personnel report the greatest need for psychological support
while families of veterans primarily require assistance with bureaucratic and legal issues
A minority of family members of combatants reported receiving support due to their status as relatives of military personnel
61% of respondents did not receive any assistance
14% received assistance from local self-government bodies
5% from entrepreneurs within the community
None of the 22 respondents who are family members of veterans reported receiving assistance from civil society organizations
The survey revealed that combatant families do not feel that local self-government authorities pay attention to their needs
56% responded with a decisive “no”
the responses of veterans’ and military personnel’s family members did not show significant differences
“This highlights the need to expand support programs and improve service accessibility for these population groups
That is why veteran policy planning has also included this group,” emphasized Mykhailo Danyshchuk
“The majority of respondents in our survey are family members of military personnel currently serving
Based on the responses of family members of fallen
and captured service members collected in other communities
I assume that local self-government authorities only take action when something irreversible happens
Military personnel and their families receive the least attention from local self-government authorities and aid providers,” noted Maryna Shpiker
The survey results indicate a pressing need for comprehensive support in Kolomyia Community
with a particular focus on addressing the needs of veterans and their families
and ensuring the community’s long-term financial stability
“Despite the efforts of various stakeholders—local self-government authorities
and volunteers—there are still unmet needs and sources of tension
particularly between military families and those with no service members
the community must acknowledge these challenges; on the other hand
and it is impossible to address every need
and determine what can be changed and what
will remain as it is,” concluded Maryna Shpiker
“I hope that the findings of this study will contribute to the development of new initiatives in Kolomyia Community aimed at supporting veterans and their families
as well as draw attention to the importance of a systematic approach to veteran policy in other communities in the coming months
as the Vidnova project enables this opportunity in 2025,” emphasized Mykhailo Danyshchuk
This material and the sociological survey were prepared by the Legal Development Network in cooperation with the humanitarian organization People in Need
with financial support from the Czech Development Agency
The views expressed and the interpretation of the collected information are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the project’s donors and partners
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Photo courtesy of Kristina Atamanyuk.
When asked to recall her fondest memories of home
Kristina Atamanyuk smiled softly and stared into her folded hands.
the beautiful mountains of Kolomyia where I am from,” she said
me and my parents would go to the black sea
Nestled in the foothills of the eastern Carpathian Mountains
the people of Kolomyia have felt the reverberations of a war that has consumed the entire nation of Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a sudden military invasion that marked a new dawn in a decades-long conflict
The morning the first shells struck the outskirts of Kyiv
Atamanyuk was waking up for school in Armenia
where she had moved at the age of 16 for a two-year International Baccalaureate program
“I remember I had a math test that day,” she recalled
“I opened my phone to all of my news accounts
In the last decade, violent revolutions in Ukraine signified a united refusal to submit to the will of historical dictatorship, and they proved successful. In 2014, Ukrainian President Yanukovich was unseated after months of bloody protests following suspended negotiations with the EU and his revitalization of economic ties with Moscow.
after over a year of being separated from her family
The University of Richmond helped to finance the journey
Every single moment I spend with my family and people I love
and she remembers growing up to the hum of Ukrainian folk songs floating through their house
remind me of home,” Atamanyuk hopes that one day her own children will know the same folk songs
singing and speaking in the language of their homeland
even as the blare of air raid sirens becomes a customary backdrop to daily life
they buy generators and open cafés at night where community members can gather in the warmth and listen to musicians perform
welcoming donations to help fund the troops on the front lines
that same optimism has kept her family warm.
“I just love my parents and that positivity,” Atamanyuk shared
“Randomly in the evening we will get electricity and they will go
The light of hope has persisted since the first Russian troops entered Luhansk Oblast when Ukrainian soldiers had not yet been mobilized.
people would go out and push tanks away with their bare hands,” Atamanyuk said
Estimates that totaled the military personnel on each front found Russian forces with over two servicemen for every Ukrainian soldier
it was steadfast Ukrainian resistance that prevented Russian forces from overtaking the capital city of Kyiv in the first weeks of combat
and I pray that it is not going to,” Atamanyuk said
It cannot be conquered… because then the West to some extent loses.”
The 30 member countries in the NATO alliance, as well as the EU, have contributed over $80 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the war began. Dozens of armored fighting vehicles and long-range missile systems have added to growing efforts preventing Russian forces from moving west
As charged political discourse bombards mainstream media
competing perspectives on the conflict come to the surface.
to be a representative of my country,” Atamanyuk said
violence continues and the end remains undetermined
Atamanyuk has still found hope – a break in otherwise overcast skies.
“What motivates me is the future,” she said
“I can imagine refugees coming back to Ukraine
people starting to go back to university… young people like me coming back with new values
Even while witnessing the events of the war from thousands of miles away
Atamanyuk shares the same hope found in every citizen of her homeland: that their nation can prove to be a key force for international democracy
emerging from conflict as an example that the power of a nation is derived from its people.
“And no one expected us to be strong in this war.”
Contact features writer Sophia Demerath at sophia.demerath@richmond.edu.
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“Any manifestations of xenophobia and anti-Semitism are unacceptable,” the chief told a D.C.-based group of Russian-speaking Jews
(JTA) — The head of Ukraine’s national police said he is looking into a senior officer’s request to receive a list of Jews in the western city of Kolomyya
the head of the Kolomyya Police Department
I immediately ordered an official investigation,” Klymenko told the National Coalition Supporting Soviet Jewry
D.C.-based group said in a statement Tuesday
“Any manifestations of xenophobia and anti-Semitism are unacceptable
I want to assure the community we will not allow the persecution of citizens on national or other grounds.”
The contents of Bank’s letter were made known Sunday
“Please provide us the following information regarding the Orthodox Jewish religious community of Kolomyya
namely: The organization’s charter; list of members of the Jewish religious community
mobile phones and their places of residence,” it says
Bank sent the letter to a Jewish leader in Kolomyya
but the leader declined to provide the information
Bank also sent the letter to representatives of ethnic Poles in the city
His office did not reply to a request for comment by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
director of the Ukrainian Jewish Committee
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century
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The following editorial is reprinted from the online publication Ukrayinska Pravda (Ukrainian Truth) in Kyiv
we woke up to a new Ukraine and a new world
but by the concepts of thugs with nuclear weapons
The territory of Ukraine is clearly visible on the map of this world
It is a map of the missile strikes that Russia has carried out — from Luhansk to Ivano-Frankivsk
Today we are united by love and hatred — love of freedom and hatred of Vladimir Putin’s Russia together with its dictator
Our only “fault” is that we want to be masters of our own house — to find a way
to build a future without regard to the phobias and complexes of our northern neighbor
Ukraine has been in the club of countries that have felt the fraternal embrace of Russia
this “embrace” was awkwardly disguised as “hybridism” and “ikhtamnet” (“they are not there”)
Evil has shown its unconcealed grin of peace
Only those who have completely lost the ability to see and analyze can talk about “not everything is so clear-cut” today
What to do when missiles fall on our cities
Recall British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s speech on May 13, 1940
with all the strength that God can give us
to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark
Victory however long and hard the road may be
For without victory there is no survival.”
along with the first Russian missiles falling on Ukrainian territory
It is a time of utmost simplicity and honesty
The war unleashed by Russia is a crime against humanity
even if it is called a thousand times “special operation,” “denazification,” and “peace enforcement.”
Dictatorship and democracy have nothing in common
And if the world does not realize this even now — well
On June 26, 1963, in front of the Schöneberg Town Hall in West Berlin, then-US president John F. Kennedy gave a speech that went down in history as “I am a Berliner.”
Kennedy flew in to be with the people of that city, who had been cut off from the world since Putin’s spiritual advisers erected the Berlin Wall.
May the speechwriters of the American president forgive us. We will replace just a few words in this text. Here is a snippet of this speech, written seemingly today and specifically for us.
“For two thousand years, a winged phrase has been ‘I am a citizen of Rome.’ Today, in the free world, it should sound like this: I am Ukrainian.
“There are many people in the world who really don’t understand, or say they don’t understand, what is the biggest problem between the free world and Russia.
“There are those who say Putin’s Russia is the idea of the future.
“And there are those who say that both in Europe and anywhere else we can cooperate with Russia.
“And there are even those who say that, yes, Putin’s Russia is an evil system, but this doesn’t prevent us from cooperating with it in economy.
“All free people, no matter where they live, are citizens of Ukraine.
“Therefore, as a free man, I proudly declare: ‘I am Ukrainian!’”
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Kolomyia is a small city in western Ukraine with a population of around 60,000
shows the life of a home front city during a full-scale war with Russia
Constant air raid alerts and military funerals are intertwined with people’s daily lives
People are used to monitoring the news all the time
I took these photos in the eighth month of the war
which were overcrowded at the beginning of the conflict
I try to find balance between not limiting myself to only one thing and being focused and precise in what I do here and now
space and the very form of existence for me forever
There’s a permanent state of tightness and suffocation
Printed photos are my only physical connection with Mariupol – my first love – now
But my memory of the city is not distorted
it becomes even more clear and detailed every day
This project is an attempt to recreate the new reality
which perhaps I will never be able to get used to
Since the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
I’ve been staying in Odesa and documenting city life in my project Odesa: Living with War
I wanted to show how the desire to live breaks through the realities of the bloody war
frequent shelling and depressive uncertainty
Odesa has changed dramatically and acquired the features inherent to a front line city
although it is located 150 kilometres from the front line
the city saw no tourist season because of mined beaches
schools and universities were provided with protective structures in case of shelling
I’m interested in analogue film photography
My objective is to implement a project that would make a difference in society
I try to remember things that really matter
There is a question: should we really look up to you
You ignored the mistakes of your ancestors
but if we had… Do you think there would still be chaos
destroy and kill in the future as you do now
I’ve spent my whole life in Kharkiv and I’m staying here now
I study at the Kharkiv State Academy of Culture and want to become a cinematographer
I’ve been interested in photography for five years now
and started shooting regularly two years ago
I’m interested in both documentary photography and video documentaries
I got to go to North Saltivka for the first time
which is now the most war-stricken district in Kharkiv
volunteers and homeless animals maintain some kind of life in the ruined
The central streets of Kharkiv are still recognisable
but a lot has changed: most establishments are closed or have been destroyed together with the buildings they were located in
Cultural life has descended to bomb shelters
You can attend poetry nights in a basement
chat with a few friends who have stayed in the city
but then a siren goes off and you have to look for the entrance to the nearest metro station in complete darkness
I’m a third-year student at the Kharkiv State Academy of Culture
I combine vernacular photography and documentary photos from Kharkiv
which I took in September 2022 during a temporary return to the city
the photos from the family album include my parents
The photo of a girl with a cloth on her head was taken two days before the start of the war
and it seemed I was too exhausted to focus and create
I’ve decided to focus on street photography
This is how I prefer to feel the world: rhythm
but left the university after the war started
and in May 2022 became interested in fine-art photography
I try to apply a cinematographic approach to my shots
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has changed the lives of thousands of Ukrainians
These events have forced me to rethink my attitude to the world
and I’ve decided to convey every stage I’ve gone through
I perform on stage and play Mafia with friends
I feel related to some of his characters and their feelings
He wrote that “There are stars that disintegrated 10,000 light years ago
The Germans killed 6700 residents of the town of Koryukivka at the beginning of March 1943
but she still can’t forget this terrible episode of her life
Halyna Popova is an eyewitness of those events; she recalls the impudence of the military
many bodies on the roads and the difficult path to freedom
Her mother saved the family by bringing children outside the fence
but there were many people left who didn’t make it
The time passed and people started returning and rebuilding their homes
People now walk along the streets as they used to do in the past
Most Ukrainians who are connected with the occupiers – whether through the territories
or the time they lived together – should also answer this question
My pictures were taken in Nizhyn and Koryukivka in 2022
I’m trying to address forgiveness: how long can a person keep pondering an issue in order to let it go and make life easier
Will such a decision make it easier – or is it better to continue to think it over
I study at the Faculty of law at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
it is difficult to predict how the next day will pass
we make a priceless gift to those who expect this from us
Being strong and resistant means to thwart all enemy’s plans to destroy our life
My series Dawn is about Ukrainian young people
important things and life after 24 February
I was forced to move to Poland because of the war
I received a photo from my neighbours’ friends
showing that the house where I had spent my childhood didn’t exist any more
I have no access to a rented flat in Kharkiv either
It’s still too dangerous to stay in the city because of shelling; people die every day there
in the first months after moving to Poland
I couldn’t allow myself to take the keys to that flat out of my pocket
When the war forces you to leave your home to stay safe
taking your keys means a hope to return home as soon as possible
now it becomes clear that many people will have nowhere to return to
I’ve collected the stories of people who can’t return home due to various reasons
Find out more about Odesa Photo Days Festival here
Ravi Ghosh is the deputy editor at British Journal of Photography
he was an editor at Elephant magazine and worked on the Life & Arts supplement at the Financial Times
He writes on arts and culture for The Guardian
He has also written photobook introductions for Tony Mak and Portrait of Humanity
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By Yumiko Kurashige Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent
Russian forces fired a missile into the suburbs of Kolomyia in the Ivano-Frankivsk region of western Ukraine
taking the life of 8-year-old Volodymyr Balabanyk
a community far from the frontlines of the war
ate a hot dog and laughed at the sunflowers on the side of the road
When they returned home at around 9:50 a.m.
accompanied by a blast wave and the rumbling of the ground
Residents suspect the missile was aimed at a nearby military airfield
The roof and part of the walls of the house were blown off
and Volodymyr was found lying in the garden
The ambulance journey to the hospital felt like it lasted forever
was informed that her son had been confirmed dead
“I shouldn’t have let him go to the toilet.”
has not laughed since he lost his “buddy,” while his 4-year-old sister innocently waits for Volodymyr’s return
I give you my energy,” Volodymyr would say as he hugged his tired mother at the end of the day
The Russian military attacked even such a kind-hearted child without mercy
Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting
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Jewish leader says last such demand was ‘during the German occupation’
A senior police officer has been accused of “open anti-Semitism” after asking for a list of all the Jewish inhabitants of a Ukrainian city as part of an inquiry into organised crime
Jewish leader Jacob Zalishchiker refused to provide the information without a court order
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter
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The letter was dated 18 February but has only just been made public after being shared on Twitter by Eduard Dolinsky
director general of the Jewish Committee in Kiev
In comments to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Dolinsky said: “It’s a total disgrace and open anti-Semitism
It’s especially dangerous when it comes from a law enforcement agency.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
With this publication, ArtsLooker continues a series of informative essays and interviews in partnership with the Museum Of Contemporary Art NGO and UMCA (Ukrainian Museum of Modern Art) about Ukrainian art during the full-scale war in the framework of the Wartime Art Archive
Art historian Anna-Maria Kucherenko shares her thoughts on art as a means of uniting
as well as contemporary artistic initiatives working with communities to overcome the consequences of war
Contemporary art researchers understand the term “participatory art” as one that lacks a clear definition and is rather broad in its meaning
its key feature is the involvement of the audience in the creative process
it is associated with addressing traumatic experiences and the need to work with communities
meaning it is community-oriented and directed towards the public
The shock following the full-scale invasion caused a new impetus for participatory practices in Ukrainian contemporary art
in the then-vacant building of the Sokil organization
an exhibition titled “Our Apartments
initiated by the artistic collective Prykarpattian Theater
The show emerged as a result of a workshop where artists invited internally displaced persons and residents of the city
The workshop's theme was simple – home and everything related to it
The houses recreated from memory in the Sokil space formed a whole city
where memories and experiences of leaving home were embodied in a collective artistic gesture
Most of the temporarily displaced individuals created models of the houses they were forced to leave due to shootings or the houses where they lived when the workshop took place.The workshop by the Prykarpattian Theater in Kolomyia took place in the building of the former Sokil organization
Photo courtesy Prykarpattian Theater.The exhibition “Our Apartments
Offices and Backyards” in Kolomyia was held in the building of the former Sokil organization
Photo courtesy Prykarpattian Theater.This artistic practice seems quite symptomatic to me of the wartime period – these are collectives formed after the invasion
with the aim of engaging internally displaced persons and residents of the city in a shared social context
encouraging the discussion of collective trauma
It is art created collaboratively with and for the community
presented in the public space that had previously fallen into neglect: the opening of the exhibition coincided with the day when the Kolomyia Small Philharmonic began giving regular concerts at Sokil for the first time.
In the book “Community Art: The Politics of Trespassing” (2011)
a community art project has only ‘succeeded’ when it realizes an interaction between the participants it was aimed at
The purpose of such interaction can be political or subversive
the aesthetical aspect serves as a mere medium.”
The shared traumatic experience encourages collective discourse and the shared experience of trauma
The therapeutic and social goals of participatory art projects and practices involve the sublimation of a defined experience
providing assistance to the community and individuals
many institutions and initiatives temporarily suspended their regular activities but opened their doors as shelters for internally displaced persons
These newly formed spaces became safe havens for those in need
a dance center and “open experimental and productive artistic environment” in Lviv
joined forces with the volunteer initiative Kitchen and transformed into a shelter and a place for preparing food
collectively organizing their new living arrangements and discussing personal experiences and emotions
The process of organizing the shelter later took on an artistic form resembling a musical
where participants questioned the balance between necessity and excess
The musical took the form of a welcome concert – a series of empathetic messages between different locations
as all the videos obtained through this collective effort can be edited any number of times by each participant
The shift in the art scene has not only impacted the creation of new artistic collectives and groups or the transformation of existing spaces but has also influenced the activities of emerging artists. One such artist is Masha Leonenko, who presented the group performance “Where Are You Now?” as part of the exhibition “How Are You
the group performance “Where Are You Now?” at the “How Are You
Exhibition and Discussion” held at the Ukrainsky Dim in Kyiv
Photo courtesy: MOCA NGO.Preparing for the performance
the artist created a questionnaire where Ukrainian women with different experiences of living through the war answered specific questions and told their personal stories
the participants read out the stories that they did not know beforehand and moved around the chairs in the space
It is worth noting that all the participants were not professional performers but people who expressed a desire to participate
the chairs were arranged in a circle — smaller ones inside and larger ones outside — with the center of the circle representing the “body” of society
each participant had their own place in the space
and then moved their chair and found a new place at the front of the performance
relying on their feelings from what they had read
By changing their location regarding the hall's center
the participants determined the proximity or remoteness of the story they were reading (and the experience of its author) to the “body” of society
the result of the performance is a model of our society today
as well as the way (in others’ opinion) women with different social roles and living circumstances feel in it
it is an attempt to understand someone else's experience and
Exhibition and Discussion" in the Ukrainsky Dim
the audience's particular attention was drawn to three chandeliers created by the LISOVA 3 art group (Svitlana Gryb
an assemblage object called “Vyrii” (Vortex)
The story of the work's creation is connected with the return home: Svitlana Hryb and Serhii Spizhovyi lived on Lisova Street in Irpin
from where they evacuated after the start of the full-scale invasion; they returned only in the summer of 2022
The chandeliers were created from found objects that they collected in the destroyed buildings around them
The artists narrate the process of accepting loss: death
The work was first presented in the artists' studio
Familiar objects from the "past" encouraged the viewers to share their experience
which for the residents of Irpin was mostly traumatic and common
The images traced in the chandeliers became a kind of “safe” trigger that encouraged the exhibition visitors to talk about this shared trauma
Exhibition and Discussion” Svitlana Hryb and Serhiy Spizhovyi also held a series of workshops for everyone
where they worked with the participants to create paintings that were later presented in the exhibition
According to the artists: “for the participants
it was an opportunity to release creativity
which has a transformative effect.”Workshop by the art group LISOVA 3 at the “How Are You
“Vyrii (Vortex)” at the “How Are You
photo by Yevhen Nikiforov.New participatory projects and a new artistic sociality are associated with the seemingly invisible consequences of war: a surge in manifestations of care
The examples of artistic practices from this text
correspond to such manifestations: the desire to help another
to talk and go through traumatic experiences together
In her book “Moral Boundaries” (1993)
defines the concept of care as follows: “…A species activity that includes everything we do to maintain
continue and repair our “world” so that we can live in it as well as possible
ourselves and our environment…”
When talking about the above examples of participatory practices in Ukrainian art
I have only addressed experiences that are directly related to physical space and community
The full-scale invasion meant that many Ukrainians were forced to migrate internally and externally
having found ourselves in different cities and countries because of the war
social media has become a common space for us to reflect
spread information and collect for the army and those who need help and support
artist Bohdana Zayats has been collecting wartime secrets shared anonymously by different people
there is a link to a Google form where you can learn how to become a participant in the project and share your own secret anonymously
The artist calls it a group art project that began in March 2022
“You are invited to anonymously send a secret that was born since the beginning of the war for a group art project
The main thing is that it is true,” — reads the project’s description
The artist published the secret a few months after it was sent
While some of the secrets reveal details of the sender's personal life
the secrets of other participants are reflections and reactions to certain social events
Some of these reflections are not to be said aloud in a society at war
Anonymity provides a sense of security and a desire to share the most intimate things
Comments under the posts turn into a platform for heated discussions
Exhibition and Discussion,” the secrets were printed on adhesive paper
and the audience could read them and take them as stickers
Some placed the secrets near other artworks at the show
the process moved to a new level: the audience glued the sticker-secrets together so that they formed a new story
assembled of different others.“War Secret,” a project by Bohdana Zayats (my_pet_spider)
Stickers printed for the “How Are You
photo by Yevhen Nikiforov.Just like with military secrets
everyone can take part in Zhanna Kadyrova's participatory project
Stickers with the image of the Russian Kinzhal missile are placed on the windows of various types of public transportation abroad
one sees the illusion of a missile flying over peaceful cities and horizons
The project aims to share the experience of Ukrainians who live under the constant threat of rocket attacks with those who have not experienced it
Stickers can be purchased on the Instagram page of the same name
with all proceeds going to the Kyiv Angels volunteer organization.A sticker depicting a Russian missile at an exhibition in Jurmala
Screenshot from a video by Tetyana Lysun and Anna-Maria Kucherenko
Photo courtesy of the authors.In the history of Western European art
the involvement or cooperation with the audience
Artistic appeals to the public were symptomatic of the events and trends in the transformation of society
The researcher and art historian Claire Bishop attributes these changes to the “social turn” she describes in her essay “The Social Turn: Collaboration and Its Discontents” (2006)
The social turn in contemporary art can be contextually linked to several historical events that led to political upheaval and social change: the 1917 revolution
the social changes that followed the events of 1968
and the overthrow of the communist regime in 1989
In her book “Artificial Hells: Participatory Art and the Politics of Spectatorship” (2012)
Bishop writes: “…each phase has been accompanied by a utopian rethinking of art’s relationship to the social and of its political potential — manifested in a reconsideration of the ways in which art is produced
Participatory art engages the viewer to become a participant and a co-creator
One of the researchers of participatory practices
believed that art is a kind of meeting space that unites and facilitates relationships between people
it is human relationships and interaction within society that become a crucial element of existence
Participatory practices equalize all participants
but create an understanding that we are all an integral
and media partnership with Suspilne.Kultura and Artslooker are implemented by the Museum of Contemporary Art NGO with the support of the Fritt Ord Foundation (Norway) and the Sigrid Rausing Trust (UK)
To read more articles about contemporary art please support Artslooker on Patreon
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помітили порушення авторських прав або хочете надати матеріали для публікації
Against the backdrop of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
the role of civil society organizations in providing assistance and support to community residents is becoming increasingly important
An example of such an impact is the work of Trikutnyk
The organization joined the Legal Development Network at the beginning of the full-scale war
Trikutnyk was engaged in the cultural development of its community and the region
implementing art projects and organizing festivals
The challenges of the war forced us to open new areas of work and reformat our activities
one of the main tasks was to provide comprehensive assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs)
the organization’s initiatives have been supported by the DFID as part of a program to strengthen the capacity of local organizations to respond to the challenges of war
We will tell you more about the results of this period below
Legal aid on the radio extends to the oblast
Trikutnyk’s priorities include legal education and counseling
the development of comprehensive support projects for IDPs
and the introduction of a new area of assistance to family members of military personnel and veterans of the current war
“We can say that we have become very visible in the field of legal aid,” says Inna Kolesnyk
“We have been working for several years to make this area of work really effective
Our organization regularly conducts on-site receptions in Kolomyia and neighboring villages of the community
The main topics raised by people are the rights of internally displaced persons
legal issues related to martial law and loss of documents
inheritance issues in the temporarily occupied territories
labor rights and employment opportunities in the new place
we provided about 800 legal consultations to clients.“
The organization provides comprehensive legal assistance to IDPs
with the help of the organization’s lawyers
was able to successfully resolve difficult situations with credit card debt cancellation and passport issuance that arose due to limited access to Ukrainian services and banks in the temporarily occupied territory
the lawyer told another client that a relative could receive not only official status
but also additional financial social assistance
The radio program “Legal Cheat Sheet” has become quite popular on the local radio station Siaivo
where Inna Kolesnyk participates and talks about legal problems and possibilities for solving them
we explain changes in legislation and discuss topical social issues; recently
we reviewed the law on mobilization,” says Inna Kolesnyk
“The radio broadcast covers not only Kolomyia district but also neighboring communities
and we receive calls from people even from remote villages in Ivano-Frankivsk region
we have our own page in the local newspaper
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion
we have been asked to write about ourselves
and we are preparing materials for publication
the media like us and often invite us for interviews.”
Shelter has become a development center for IDPs
opened a shelter for IDPs in Kolomyia in February 2023 in a municipal building with the support of the Ukrainian Educational Platform and in cooperation with local authorities
it has transformed from a temporary shelter to a development center that implements various initiatives
The IDPs are accommodated in cooperation with the Kolomyia Unified Center for Social and Rehabilitation Services
the shelter can accommodate the maximum number of residents – 60 people
There are 20 rooms on two floors of the building
A training room was created with the support of the LDN
The shelter regularly hosts trainings and meetings to discuss topical issues related to IDPs’ settlement in communities
everyone was taught how to find a job and integrate into a new team
representatives of both local and relocated industries
and local authorities to discuss the labor market opportunities in the Kolomyia community
The initiative’s social media pages also regularly post job openings
The organization’s projects regularly involve 12 team members
and many more are additionally involved in various events as coaches and volunteers
are especially grateful for our women’s circles where they can socialize
“A significant part of our target audience is women
and we always take this into account,” notes Inna Kolesnyk
“Among our specialists is a psychologist who specializes in working with IDPs
and we also invite other psychologists to conduct various trainings
We constantly emphasize that we have the opportunity to sign up for individual consultations or participate in group meetings with a psychologist
psycho-emotional relief activities for adults and children
People can choose the format that best suits their needs.”
Trikutnyk’s team is actively working to expand opportunities for IDPs to participate in community decision-making
Members of Trikutnyk are members of the IDP Council of Kolomyia community
Solomiya Zinets-Matsyshyn is a member of the district IDP council
Inna Kolesnyk is a member of the Kolomyia IDP council
This allows them to expand social ties and actively contribute to the development of the community
including through joint activities with partners
One such project is aimed at building communal property to create social housing
The team actively advocates for the rights of internally displaced persons
helping them to apply for housing from the temporary housing fund
“We are currently considering the possibility of public control over the implementation of a construction project that involves the conversion of one of the existing buildings and the construction of a new building in the community for social housing,” says Inna Kolesnyk
“Up to 80% of this housing will be rented to IDPs
and the remaining 20% will be used by community residents with difficult life circumstances
This approach will facilitate better integration of IDPs
giving them the opportunity to live among the local population rather than in isolation.”
Trikutnyk is planning to develop a new area of work – helping families of military personnel
A project is currently being implemented to increase tolerance and create a safe environment in educational institutions by developing the ability to communicate and provide assistance to children whose parents are defending Ukraine or have been killed in the line of duty
Several projects are aimed at providing psychological support to military family members
Trikutnyk develops important social videos
The organization is actively involved in creating a veterans’ space in the community
“We involve psychologists who have the appropriate skills and desire to help to work with family members of military personnel
There is a great need for this – both IDPs and local residents have relatives who serve,” emphasizes Inna Kolesnyk
“We would like to join a certain study of psychological support in the process of legal consultations and send our specialists for appropriate training
Professional development is very important for both legal aid and social support
It would also be useful to take part in training together with representatives of the authorities involved in the provision of social services for veterans to achieve more effective cooperation.”
The material was created with the support of the international charitable platform GlobalGiving
The content of the publication is the sole responsibility of the public union “Legal Development Network”
https://ldn.org.ua/en/event/vulyk-zmistiv-iak-ho-trykutnyk-z-kolomyi-na-ivano-frankivshchyni-dopomahaie-vpo/
known as "pysanka," are elaborately decorated folk art items that put American Easter eggs to shame
You might even say they belong in a museum
which makes it convenient that there is finally a museum devoted just to them.
Pysanka decorating is one of the most interesting expressions of Ukrainian folk art
This tradition is very old and its beginnings reach back to antiquity
ancient people developed myths that the egg was perceived as the source of life
The more modern practice is still done using a system of wax decoration and dyes that produce almost impossibly intricate patterns and designs on the surface of the egg.
in which a portion of the collection is held
boasts a collection of over 10,000 pysanky
Some are hung decoratively while others are under glass
While most of the eggs have a folk design of some sort
others are adorned with domed churches.
An archive of ceramic eggs painted to record clowns' personal makeup designs
An expansive collection donated by an heirless nobleman formed this admission-free civic museum
The only Leonardo Da Vinci painting in the Western Hemisphere
This Myrtle Beach art museum features a rotating display of pieces by artists from James Audubon to Frank Lloyd Wright
but it’s their collection of Southern works that truly impresses
A small museum in Newfoundland is home to a 227-foot tapestry that preserves the remote region's colorful history
complete with earthen skeletons and mermaids
This museum’s collection includes rescued birds
This small Key West museum is packed with dozens of artifacts that illustrate the life of the iconic playwright
An 'Aerospool WT-10 Advantic' Light aircraft crashed onto a Mansion on 28th July killing all the four occupants in Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine
a light sport aircraft crashed into a private house
starting a fire and killing four people," said Ukraine's State Emergency Service
The Private Light aircraft registered as UR-PAMA was on a sightseeing flight around Kolomyia city
that took off from “Kolomyia” airfield with a pilot and three U.S
Video Footage of Aircraft While Crashing onto the Building.
While the cause of the crash is yet to be determined
the aircraft was completely destroyed due to the accident
The fire could be contained at around 13:58 PM
Ten firefighters and three fire engines of the State Emergency Service were engaged in putting out the fire
Report Credits : State Emergency Service -Ukraine
FL360aero | All right Reserved 2025
During the second phase of the project “Sense of Security
and Dialogue Practices: Searching for Optimal Tools at the Community Level” tools aimed at enhancing the sense of security were applied in the Kolomyia Community of Ivano-Frankivsk Region
and Shevchenkove Community of Mykolaiv Region
This article outlines the tools used and their effectiveness
Kolomyia Community of Ivano-Frankivsk Region
Justification for Selecting Intervention Tools
A sociological survey of Kolomyia Community residents revealed significant concerns regarding job loss and
Over 60% of respondents stated they could not sustain themselves for more than one month without employment or social benefits
80% of respondents reported having savings sufficient for only one month
The survey also highlighted other major concerns
including threats to life and health due to military actions
and insufficient funds for medical treatment
project experts identified three key areas contributing to the residents’ sense of insecurity and selected targeted tools to improve their sense of safety
The local team initiated a partnership with the Kolomyia District Employment Center to explore current employment programs
“We decided to promote these programs
which are underused or completely unknown to many people
Our goal was to broaden the audience of employers by presenting
in an easily accessible format such as a video
information about compensation opportunities for hiring people with disabilities
as well as for hiring young people under 25 for their first job or under 35 for their second job
job seekers will find employment opportunities
and employers will be less concerned about their businesses or about being unable to hire different categories of individuals
such as internally displaced persons”
Head of the NGO Trykutnyk and Coordinator of the Local Team
the Employment Center offers various compensation conditions for the public-benefit community and other temporary work
which is often done by retirees and those who have not yet found other employment”
The project team outlined the detailed compensation conditions in a thematic informational brochure
Another brochure addresses retraining opportunities
and grant programs for starting a business for veterans and their families
“We prepared this brochure so people were aware of the fact that if they cannot find a job in their field in our region
they can gain a new profession at various technical schools and colleges across Ukraine
Accommodation in dormitories is provided during training
and the list of professions for retraining is quite extensive“
In order to improve the sense of security in terms of health and life care
the project team conducted an informational campaign on the Medical Guarantee Program by the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU)
“The program essentially provides a wide range of medical services free of charge
the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHISU) pays the institutions for these services
often the residents of our community are not informed
which leads to a widespread fear of falling ill and not being able to afford treatment”
a series of posts were distributed about the Medical Guarantee Program
free services at local healthcare institutions for all citizens
as well as for internally displaced persons and military personnel
the local team secured support from local law enforcement agencies
despite respondents expressing concerns about the spread of crime during the survey
the actual crime rate in recent years has not increased but rather decreased
a type of crime known as online fraud — cybercrime — has proliferated
conducted for this group of citizens the training on How To Prevent Online And Phone Fraud
Another educational event focused on crime in the Kolomyia Community in general and included an important practical component — first aid training
Turbiv Community of Vinnytsia Region
The concerns of the residents of the Turbiv Community are similar to those observed in Kolomyia
According to the results of the sociological survey
among the factors that cause the greatest sense of insecurity in the community are as follows: lack of funds for seeking medical care amid the cost of medical services
the prevalence of financial fraud with bank cards
and the threat to life and health posed by enemy drones
the local project team decided to apply intervention tools to improve the sense of security in the following three areas:
In light of the concerns expressed by the respondents
the local project team conducted informational meetings in the community on the accessibility of medical services under the State Guarantees Program
The target groups included local government employees
“We provided a laptop to equip the registry workplace at the Turbiv Village Hospital and conducted training on how to search for relevant specialists at the regional center and book an appointment through the electronic queue system”
and Head of the Podilskyi Center for Human Rights NGO
The search for a specialist and booking an appointment via the electronic queue is a new service at the Turbiv Hospital
which was introduced as part of the project
“We also distributed informational brochures about medical services at healthcare facilities in the Turbiv Community
including contact information for remote communication
we provided the hospital with promotional video materials
People waiting in the doctor’s office queue simultaneously receive information about the availability of medical services under the State Guarantees Program”
To address the growing anxiety caused by a lack of accurate information and the threat of losing savings
the local team developed informational materials and held meetings on the topic “Information Security: How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Card Fraud.” According to Oksana Yatsyuk
the topic turned out to be highly relevant
as some attendees had recently fallen victim to fraudsters
“When we held an informational event for senior students of Lyceum No
approached Oksana Yatsyuk and asked her to conduct the same informational event for the teachers of the Lyceum
The level of interest in the topic is still very high”
after a collision with a “Shahed” drone
a plane crashed and damaged one of the households
This incident significantly alarmed the residents of the Turbiv Community
In their responses to the sociological survey
they indicated a high level of anxiety due to the risks to life
and property posed by the arrival of cruise missiles and drones
local teenagers and young people enjoy riding mopeds and motorcycles on the streets of the community
and the sounds they make resemble the noise of “Shahed” drones
the vehicle drivers do not have the proper licenses
often violating traffic rules and exceeding the speed limit
“We assumed that the teenagers express themselves by riding motorcycles and mopeds because they lack quality leisure activities
We decided to engage the young people with board games that would allow them to develop and acquire additional communication skills
This is how the idea of a youth space with board games came about”
two youth spaces were established: one in the village of Vakhnivka at the local cultural center and the other in Turbiv at a pizzeria
Each space has already hosted three to four events
“It seems to me that the functioning of such youth centers is promising from a security perspective
especially because they allow parents to worry less about their children: whether they are safe
and whether they have opportunities for intellectual development
they became interested and started coming on their own”
the local project team handed over a set of four board games to the Head of the Vakhnivka Cultural Center for use in the Village Youth Space
Shevchenkove Community of Mykolaiv Region
which we refer to as rear areas during the war
the Shevchenkove Community is located in a front-line region
with some of villages occupied during the first nine months of 2022 and suffering significant damage to both administrative and residential buildings
The residents’ sense of safety and insecurity is influenced not only by the traumatic experiences of the past few years but also by the current tension and uncertainty
community members identified several factors that have the greatest impact on their sense of security
including the lack of timely access to information
the inability of children to access quality and safe
and ensuring the safety of life and health from military threats
the local project team chose the following intervention tools:
the local team in the Shevchenkove Community conducted a series of training sessions for social protection and cultural sector workers
After gaining firsthand experience with various art therapy techniques and psychological relaxation practices
the specialists now independently spread psychological awareness among the residents of their settlements
According to Project Expert Iryna Shaptala
as caring for mental health is a basic need in our time
and addressing such areas helps to reduce anxiety levels and improve overall life safety
“The most positive feedback from the community members came from the media literacy training
cultural workers continue to collaborate with community police officers
conveying information to people on how to avoid falling victim to online fraudsters’ manipulations
we can say that we have increased residents’ awareness and
somewhat reduced their anxiety levels caused by online safety threats”
The community also continues training on mine safety and first aid
as the risk of emergencies in the community remains high
only a portion of local government employees and interested community residents have been able to undergo certified first aid training
people in the settlements know who these individuals are and that they can turn to them if necessary
This provides a sense of reassurance”
the pilot phase of the tools proved the residents’ demand for “clean”
as well as for informal communication with local government representatives to feel prepared for challenges
Project Expert Sociologist Marina Shpyker believes that the interventions conducted during the project in the communities were targeted
as they did not immediately allow for reaching a broad audience
the positive aspect is that the local teams achieved their set goals by doing not what might have been ideal
and which is already bringing about certain changes”
“We managed to trial various solutions to improve the sense of security in the communities
Feedback from the participants shows that these solutions turned out to be correct
The result of applying each specific intervention tool was positive
We took several important steps toward strengthening the capacity of key local players to develop effective security policies based on current data
with realistic implementation plans”
Strategic Development Director at the Legal Development Network
The selected intervention tools have proven effective
making life in these areas different from before
Planned steps for 2025 will focus on implementing the acquired experience into specific decisions and scaling up the intervention tools
turning them into systemic actions of local government
and other institutional players in the security sector
The material has been prepared with the support of the European Union and the International Renaissance Foundation within the framework of the joint initiative “European Renaissance of Ukraine”
The material represents the position of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union or the International Renaissance Foundation
https://ldn.org.ua/en/event/the-sense-of-security-and-tools-for-improvement-results-oftrialing-in-three-communities/
810/809 Lviv - Rahiv will depart from Lviv daily at 7:50 and arrive in Rahiv at 13:40 until August 6
The return train will depart daily (also until August 6) at 14:34 and arrive in Lviv at 20:35
During the repair work from August 7 to 11
The Ukrainian Railways ("Ukrzaliznytsia") report that train No
816/815 Lviv - Rahiv will depart from Lviv at 15:22 and arrive in Rahiv at 22:16 from August 1 to 5
The return journey will leave at 03:48 and arrive in Lviv as usual
the train will not operate from Lviv on August 6 and from Rahiv on August 7
Starting from August 12 (Lviv to Rahiv) and August 13 (in both directions)
the train will resume its operation according to this schedule," adds the Ukrainian Railways
807/808 Lviv - Kolomyia will temporarily extend its route to Chernivtsi from July 29
The return route from Chernivtsi will depart on July 30 at 05:10
Kolomyia at 06:14-06:24 (1-6 August: 06:14-06:34)
the train will depart from Chernivtsi at 04:57 (Kolomyia 06:14-06:34
it will not operate in both directions due to repair work," says the press service
The letter states that the investigation into Bank’s actions began on May 13 and is connected to his letter to the Jewish communal leader
Bank’s letter provoked an international uproar
called Bank’s request a case of “naked antisemitism.”
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The Czech capital has sent heaters and generators to Ukrainian cities hit by power outages due to attacks on its infrastructure
Outgoing Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib and Ukrainian charge d'affaires Vitalii Usatyi said that 626 diesel heaters and 18 power generators were sent to the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Mykolaiv
dispatched hundreds of generators to Kolomyia
The heaters and generators left the Czech capital city Wednesday on a train due to arrive in Cierna nad Tisou at the border of Slovakia and then in Ukraine in a day or two
Hřib said 400 heaters and 10 generators were bound for Kyiv and 226 heaters and eight generators for Mykolaiv
Authorities from those cities will decide on their use
PosÃláme obÅà zásilku 626 naftových topidel a 18 elektrocentrál na pomoc lidem v ukrajinských mÄstech Kyjev a Mykolajiv! ðºð¦ð¨ð¿ pic.twitter.com/1PFLrWEUda
"We had these things in case some unexpected event occurred but I believe that the unexpected event occurred just now and they are needed somewhere else," he said
He said firefighters still have supplies for Prague
Usatyi expressed his thanks to Prague and to Czech Rail's cargo freight train firm
"I believe that this cooperation and support will continue because we will certainly need your support until our victory," Usatyi said
paid for by fundraising efforts of the local Archdiocesan Caritas organization
departed for the town of Kolomyia in western Ukraine from Olomouc
Russia began its military offensive against Ukraine on Feb
Ukraine has faced widespread shelling of its energy infrastructure since mid-October with the invasion seriously damaging the country's power network
As temperatures fall and the war continues, the Ukrainian government is telling refugees not to return. It is also calling on citizens of liberated Kherson and Mykolaiv to leave before winter sets in
Your morning coffee deserves a great companion. Why not enjoy it with our daily newsletter? News from Czechia, curated insights, and inspiring stories in English.
The “Vulyk Zmistiv” (Beehive of Meanings) social initiative is implemented in three communities of Ivano-Frankivsk
They all help internally displaced persons (IDPs) find a new home or at least a temporary shelter
solve urgent housing needs in a new community
You’ll find about how “Beehives” live and what they managed to do in this publication
“Beehive of Meanings” has been operating in Kolomyia
the team found accommodation for 124 IDP families (369 people)
The systematic approach to providing assistance to IDPs is revealed here in a number of directions: providing housing
establishing communication between displaced persons and local authorities and community residents
and supporting the operation of relocated businesses
The development of the employment model for IDPs, based on the example of the Kolomyia community, according to the Service Design methodology
«We want to radically increase the number of IDPs employed in the host community by implementing a human-centered employment model that considers the interests of both employees and employers
we formed a team of representatives of the employment center
determine the opinions and wishes of people and businesses
develop algorithms for new actions and test them in real employment situations
interviews with migrants and businesses have already been conducted
key problems and needs in employment have been identified
and the so-called Customer Journey Map – visualization of the desired path of the job seeker and the employer – has been constructed
There is still a testing phase ahead to find a feasible and effective model of employment of IDPs in host communities»
program director of the Legal Development Network
And volunteers from Building Ukraine Together (BUT) visited the community. Together with the “Beehive of Meanings” team, they set out to create a shelter for IDPs
five waves of the BUT-camp are expected from July to September this year
“Beehive of Meanings” in Kamianka-Buzka, Lviv Oblast, started its work back in March with the creation of a housing bank
The team united local authorities and residents of Kamianka-Buzka
they promptly advised IDPs on accommodation and provided them with legal assistance and later psychological assistance
this “Beehive” has helped more than 353 IDP families (1,088 people)
Residents of the community also provide accommodation
they can no longer be in educational institutions due to the resumption of the educational process
The Lviv Oblast’s “Beehive” team is working on other areas of work
They are looking for opportunities to combine these needs with business relocation assistance
integration events are organized for IDPs.
In Khmilnyk, Vinnytsia Oblast, the implementation of initiatives that responded to the needs of displaced persons began as early as February. In addition to legal counseling, a humanitarian aid distribution point was organized, which later grew into the «Anthill: humanitarian hub» («Murashnyk»)
A space for working with IDPs has been arranged
they have also started taking care of the IDP accommodation
The “Beehive of Meanings” social initiative is also implemented in cooperation with the local authorities
securing the agreements with a joint memorandum
More about “Beehive of Meanings”– https://www.facebook.com/vulykzmistiv
The Legal Development Network and its partner organizations implement the initiative with the support of the GlobalGiving Fund within the #StandWithUkraine Campaign
https://ldn.org.ua/en/event/how-the-beehive-of-meanings-helps-displaced-people-in-ivano-frankivsk-lviv-and-vinnytsia-oblast/