RAZOM CINEMA GRANT REPORT: OKSANA KARPOVYCH’S “INTERCEPTED” – NEW DIRECTORS NEW FILMS 2024

Published: August 29, 2024

Having traveled around the world, collecting international awards along the way, Razom Cinema grantee “Intercepted” has come home for its theatrical release this August. A hearty congratulations to the Oksana and the whole film team with this accomplishment! With this in mind, let’s take it back to the beginning.

For the past 53 years, the Film at Lincoln Center and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) have brought together a program of films and filmmakers who speak to the present and anticipate the future of cinema – those who push the envelope in unexpected, striking ways. This is done under the auspices of the New Directors New Films (N/D) festival. In recent years, Ukrainian films started to populate the N/D line up and it’s no surprise to see groundbreaking films like “Stop Zemlia”, “Pamfir”, and now “Intercepted” take their well deserved spots as alumni of the festival.

For the North American premiere, Razom Cinema supported the “Intercepted” film team to bring director Oksana Karpovych, producer Olha Beshkmelnytsina, and composer Olesia Onykiienko to the premiere screening. For a film that exposes so much and reflects on the Russian imperial behavior with its complete disregard for civilian lives, it’s important to have the filmmakers be there to guide the audiences through thoughts and questions.

Since February 2022, the Security Service of Ukraine has intercepted and recorded thousands of phone calls made between Russian soldiers on the front line in Ukraine, to their family and relatives. Those phone calls were made public to expose the true mentality of those on Ukrainian land, committing war crimes. After reviewing hours of these calls, Oksana and her team came up with what now is an award-winning documentary “Intercepted” – a photojournalistic and audibly heavy report of what has happened in Ukraine.

If you weren’t able to catch the screening, make sure to listen in to the discussion with Oksana Karpovych at New Directors New Films.

Following the successful screening in New York, the “Intercepted” team was able to engage with various media and received several positive reviews from the likes of IndieWire, Variety, Filmmaker Magazine, and others. We look forward to seeing just how far the film will go in the coming fall, so keep an eye out for it!

Razom Cinema aims to promote and celebrate the vibrancy of Ukrainian voices and assure a strong representation of Ukraine on various important stages. From grants, partnerships, and programming, we unlock possibilities such as the ones listed above – bring Ukrainian creators to important spaces to meet, partner, and do with international talent.

Thank you to our donors who made this possible, and everyone who supports Razom.

RAZOM CINEMA CELEBRATES THE THEATRICAL RELEASE OF “RULE OF TWO WALLS”

Published: August 21, 2024

Working with Razom Cinema’s Polina Buchak has been one of the most gratifying parts of the journey of making this film. The support and advocacy for our project has been nothing short of inspiring. The dream of every filmmaker is to reach as wide an audience as possible, and Razom has helped us immeasurably to connect with both Ukrainian and American audiences globally. Our film quite simply would not have been as successful had it not been for our partnership with Polina and the whole heroic team at Razom. Дуже дякую, Слава Україні!

– Director David Gutnik

Together with DCTV Firehouse, Razom Cinema celebrated the theatrical release of an award-winning documentary “Rule of Two Walls” directed by David Gutnik. Previously, Razom Cinema awarded the film team a grant to support their World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2023. With this support, in part, the team was able to bring several cast (artists featured in the documentary) and crew members to assure a strong Ukrainian representation at the festival (and industry events), as well as allow the U.S. audience to hear first hand stories from the creators.

Premiere screening at the Tribeca Film Festival 2023. From left to right: Volodymyr Ivanov (DP), David Gutnik (director), Olha Beskhmelnitsyna (producer), Bob Basset (featured artist), Mikhail Zakutskyi (sound recordist), Lyana Mytsko (featured artist), Stepan Burban (featured artist), Bohdana Davydiuk (featured artist), Andrew Orkin (music composer).

Many of our Razom friends and those who have been following Ukrainian cinema joined us at the opening night event on August 16, 2024. It was a moving night with lots of insightful conversations about the power that art holds when it comes to resistance, resilience, and reclaiming the Ukrainian identity that for years has been suppressed and hidden. This documentary, with executive producer Liev Schreiber, explores the war in Ukraine through the lens of artists living and creating amid utter destruction. Blurring the lines between what is happening in front of the cameras and behind, the film probes what it means to make cinema in a time of war.

If you happen to have missed the opening night discussion, you still have a chance to catch the closing night screening on August 22nd at 7:00 PM EDT at the DCTV Firehouse. In case you are tuning in outside of NYC, here’s a short recap of the discussion!

Thank you to our donors who made this possible, and everyone who supports Razom.

From Berlinale to Cannes – Razom Cinema Grant Report: Tetiana Khodakivska “The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole”

Published: August 9, 2024

“THANK YOU,

You can not imagine how much impact this grant has brought for our project
“The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole”

– Tetiana Khodakivska’s note

With the recent news from the Sundance Institute announcing their 2024 Documentary Fund Grantees, Razom Cinema congratulates Tetiana Khodakivska and her team for being part of the selected group. This important documentary highlights stories of Ukrainian children Kira, Taisa, and Artem as they paint their memories about time in Russian ‘re-education’ camps. In honor of this news, Razom Cinema wants to highlight the achievements of the grant that was provided to the film’s team to attend the industry events at Berlinale, CPH:DOX, and Cannes Doc festivals.

The Razom Travel Grant helped present “The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole” documentary in development at three events:

Berlinale, Berlin International Film Festival
CPH:DOX
Marché du Film, Cannes Doc

Thanks to the grant, the team secured a sale-agent, found an Executive Producer, co-production in two European countries, received one $12,000 Grant and applied for three more grants overall for $200,000. The filmmakers also have found the fiscal sponsor for the project that brings further opportunity for funding of the film to bring it to completion.

Berlinale, Berlin International Film Festival

During Berlinale, the director participated in an advocacy event organized by Terre Des Hommes, a children’s rights organization, where she discussed the issue of children’s deportation and indoctrination in front of 500 people and presented a 3-minute video. Since the event focused on the rights of young people, it was an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of children’s deportation and indoctrination. Among the meetings at the Berlinale Market, the most successful one was with a representative from CAT&Docs Sales, which led to a deal memo with this sales company.

CPH:DOX

During CPH:Forum, the documentary was selected for a pitch in front of 2,000 industry representatives. Over the following two days, the team had 15 meetings with broadcasters, impact strategists, potential co-producers, and funds such as the Swedish Film Institute, Finnish Film Foundation, Chicken & Egg Pictures, and representatives from Berlinale, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Points North Institute. During that time, they also engaged with potential advocacy event partners like Artist Moving Image and Kunsthal Charlottenborg, while sharing their story with The Guardian and The New York Times.

A meeting with Catapult Film Fund resulted in an invitation to apply for their grant, which is currently being considered.). The most successful meeting was with Impact Partners Fund, where the team was invited to submit a grant application for $150,000.

Another great meeting was with Women Make Movies (WMM), which, among other activities, represents projects as a fiscal sponsor for selected films. Although they were initially skeptical, having seen many Ukrainian projects in recent years, the meeting was very positive. They understood the project’s importance, and the film team is currently signing a contract with WMM. Other connections resulted in securing a $35,000 grant from the Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation, which only works through a fiscal sponsor.

One of the meetings resulted in new members joining the documentary team. Jane Mote was invited to be the team’s fundraising producer, as she was deeply moved by the story and truly wants to help spread awareness about Ukraine and the unlawful relocation of children. Jane works as a consultant for The Whickers Fund and knows many inspiring people with whom the team hopes to collaborate.

Marché du Film, Cannes Doc

Marché du Film selected the documentary for the spotlight section at the festival, organizing and curating one-on-one and group meetings for the team throughout the week. The Razom Cinema grant enabled the director and producer to both attend. Tetiana also won the Producer’s Network Badge and participated in the Producer’s Network activities, which were very beneficial for making industry connections. Additionally, she was selected to give an inspirational speech during the morning boost program.

The team met with the programmer of the Movies That Matter Festival, which specializes in impact-oriented films, the market manager of IDFA, One World International Human Rights Festival, and the head of Industry at Visions du Réel. All were impressed with the documentary and connected the team with their fund, to which the filmmakers have since applied . Additionally, the team met with Al Jazeera Documentary Channel, the programmer of the Sundance Film Festival, and the head of Industry at Ji.Hlava IDFF. In Cannes, the team had a meeting with an IMS (International Media Support) representative, resulting in a $12,000 grant.

Razom Cinema aims to promote and celebrate the vibrancy of Ukrainian voices and assure a strong representation of Ukraine at various industry events. Our travel grants unlock possibilities such as the ones listed above – bring Ukrainian creators to important spaces to meet, partner, and do with international talent.

Thank you to our donors who made this possible, and everyone who supports Razom.

Learn more about Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.

Razom Cinema and the Ukrainian Museum Host a Night of Ukrainian Queer Short Films in Partnership with Sunny Bunny

Published: August 1, 2024

Last Friday marked the first collaboration between Razom Cinema, Sunny Bunny LGBTQIA+ film festival, and the Ukrainian Museum in New York City. A diverse crowd of all ages visited the museum for a special inaugural screening of the Ukrainian Queer Shorts film program.

The event showcased six Ukrainian short films, each portraying the unique experiences of queer communities in Ukraine. From a short documentary on the non-binary experience of a Crimean-Tatar serving in the Ukrainian army to an intimate portrayal of young lesbian love in Kyiv, the program aimed to provide a snapshot of queerness in times of war. Among the featured directors were Kateryna Khramtsova, Yelyzaveta Sherstnyova, Olia Koval, Anzhelika Ustymenko, Zoya Laktionova, Anton Shebetko, and Olena Siyatovska.

The Razom Cinema Impact Producer, Polina Buchak, and the Development Coordinator at The Ukrainian Museum, Maryna Prykhodko, introduced the event, highlighting the need for the representation of Ukrainian queerness in the arts. They also emphasized the program’s connection with the ongoing Peter Hujar: Rialto exhibition at the Museum.

In addition to the screening, the audience experienced a pre-recorded moderated conversation between Bohdan Zhuk, Director of Sunny Bunny, and Nick McCarthy, Director of Programming at NYC-based NewFest. Zhuk and McCarthy discussed the artistry of the chosen films and contextualized them in Ukrainian queer past and future, sharing their experiences leading LGBTQIA+ festivals in Kyiv and NYC. Zhuk also recommended three, must-watch Ukrainian films with LGBTQIA+ themes and underscored the need for advancing Ukrainian Queer studies research. The conversation is available on our YouTube platform – we highly recommend you check it out!

Thank you to the filmmakers featured in the program, to our volunteers who made the event possible, and everyone who came to support this initiative.

We are excited to have had the opportunity to work with The Ukrainian Museum and look forward to future events together.

Photos by Polly Chesnokova.

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements!

Learn more about Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.

Face the Future Ukraine: Advancing Reconstructive Surgery in Ivano-Frankivsk

Published: June 26, 2024

The Face the Future Ukraine team, consisting of 15 specialists from Canada and the U.S., visited Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Hospital for the third time this spring to perform complex reconstructive surgeries. The team included reconstructive and plastic surgeons, an oculoplastic surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and nurses. They also shared their knowledge at the Third International Symposium for Surgeons “Reconstructive Surgery of Military Trauma of the Head and Neck” and the Third Symposium for Nurses “Peculiarities of Management of Patients with Military Trauma and Posttraumatic Disorders,” which saw over 130 surgeons and 230 nurses in attendance.

During their trip, the team performed 88 procedures on 32 severely injured Ukrainian heroes, focusing on major head and neck reconstruction. Collaborating with foreign colleagues provides Ukrainian surgeons a unique opportunity to diagnose complex injuries, plan treatments, and perform intricate reconstructive surgeries.

“Preparation for this mission begins long before our foreign colleagues arrive in Ukraine. Over the past five months, we have examined more than a hundred patients to plan surgeries, select specialists, and develop individual implants. It’s a big team effort. It’s very valuable that many surgeries are performed for the first time in the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Hospital. During these missions, we not only restore the health of our soldiers but also learn from foreign colleagues and start performing new surgical interventions on our own,” says Nataliya Komashko, ENT, Head of the Ukrainian Medical Team.

“Every year, we conduct missions in different parts of the world, but in Ukraine, we encounter the most serious cases. No surgeon has faced such injuries unless they were in a war zone. We will return to Ukraine to help restore the faces of as many soldiers as possible. They are heroes who stand for the freedom of their people,” says Dr. Peter Adamson, founder of the Face the Future Foundation, who has just been awarded the prestigious Teasdale-Corti Award by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).

Nurses

The Face the Future nurses, led by Laurie Thomas, RN, set up a nursing training center and provided simulation models and stethoscopes for nurses to advance their skills. Laurie organized a stethoscope drive in Canada, donating dozens of stethoscopes during the conference. The team also developed protocols for a PACU (post-anesthesia care unit) and introduced this component of postoperative care in Ivano-Frankivsk hospital.

Personal Implants

A volunteer team of bioengineers from Materialise (3D printing company) designs and prints individual implants for patients. They provide an online platform for surgeons to recreate patient scans in 3D, allowing for a clear understanding of trauma and designing specific implants. This platform enables Ukrainian and Canadian surgeons to work together on the same patient, sharing documentation and collaborating comfortably.

Materialise engineers prepared 3D anatomy simulations and patient-specific 3D-printed implants for eight patients.

Medical Supplies

Medical supplies are vital for such projects, as many surgeries require specific instruments. Debbie Fritz, RN, Team Leader of Procurement, coordinates the needs of surgeons, leveraging connections with suppliers to secure donations or discounts. Razom procures critical supplies in Ukraine, which are then donated to the hospital.

Through targeted medical trips, conferences, and training sessions, providers working with the Razom Co-Pilot Project are empowering healthcare professionals, enhancing skills and methods, and ultimately improving surgical care in Ukraine.

We are immensely grateful to the Face the Future team for their continued support of Ukrainian healthcare:

– Dr. Peter Adamson, Chef de Mission

– Dr. Anthony E. Brissett, Mission Director

– Susan Truax, Administrative Support

– Dr. Josh Kain, Surgeon

– Dr. Irena Karanetz, Surgeon

– Dr. Vladimir Kratky, Surgeon

– Dr. Terry Taylor, Surgeon

– Dr. Burke Bradley, Anesthesiologist

– Amy Bradley, RN

– Debbie Fritz, RN, Team Leader for Procurement

– Maureen Merchant, RN

– Heather Leard, CST

– Laurie Thomas, RN, Head of RNs Team, Leader of Nursing Academic Day

– Bibi Yasin, RN

– Yurij Tsuvanyk, CST

– Pam Leeman, RN

We are thankful to all Ukrainian doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who tirelessly provide treatment to Ukrainian patients, both civilians and military, during the hardships of war.

Patient’s Story

“My daughter did not recognize me after the injury. I dream that the doctors will give me back my face,” said 29-year-old Oleksii before the operation. He was one of the 32 patients of the international mission of reconstructive surgeons Face the Future Ukraine in Ivano-Frankivsk.

Oleksii was seriously injured in the Donetsk area during an assault on enemy positions, where he came under mortar fire. His brother died, and Oleksii was severely injured in the face and hand. He was in a coma for five days and could not speak or eat for several months, but doctors managed to repair his face and final results will be visible in six months.

The humanitarian program “Face the Future Ukraine” was founded by Face the Future Foundation, Razom for Ukraine, and Still Strong to provide free reconstructive surgeries to Ukrainian patients and train Ukrainian surgeons. It is implemented in partnership with the CF “Patients of Ukraine,” the project “Rehabilitation of War Injuries,” the Ukrainian Association of Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgery, the Regional Clinical Hospital of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council, Healing The Children North East, UMANA, Americares, with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk OVA, companies Metinvest, Nova Ukraine, Materialise, Yellow Blue Force Foundation, and Transmed.

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

Advancing Women’s Health Care in Ukraine: Insights from Dr. Irena Karanetz and Dr. Alina Andriiv

Published: June 25, 2024

The Current State of Women’s Health Care in Ukraine

Dr. Irena Karanetz, a renowned New York City plastic surgeon, provides an eye-opening assessment of the current state of women’s health care in Ukraine. Originally from Ukraine, Dr. Karanetz moved to Chicago at the age of 15 and trained in plastic surgery in New York. Through her connection toRazom, she joined the Face the Future Team of facial reconstructive surgeons in 2023, and has since participated in two medical trips to Ukraine. A dedicated member of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA), Dr. Karanetz is passionate about women’s health, particularly post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, and is committed to improving healthcare in her homeland. During her work with the Face the Future team in the Ivano-Frankivsk hospital, she had a chance to research cancer breast reconstruction options available for women in Ukraine and was inspired to bring to them her knowledge and expertise in this field.

“Public medicine has significant flaws,” Dr. Karanetz observes. “For instance, there might be only one mammogram machine available in an entire city, leading to months-long waits for cancer diagnoses.” She highlights the disparity between public and private healthcare facilities, noting that advanced treatments like implants for breast reconstruction are often unavailable in socialized medicine, creating a significant gap in care.

Dr. Alina Adriiv, the Medical Director of the Prykarpattia Oncology Center in Ivano-Frankivsk, shares these concerns. Dr. Adriiv, who has been working in oncology since 2010, previously served as an associate professor and head of the hormone-dependent tumors department at the oncology faculty. She holds a Candidate of Medical Sciences degree and has completed numerous international internships in the U.S., Israel, and across Europe.

Envisioning a Better Future

Both doctors envision a future when Ukrainian healthcare is significantly bolstered by international collaboration and the adoption of advanced medical techniques. Dr. Karanetz emphasizes the importance of training and equipping younger doctors to overcome the current limitations, such as lack of equipment and treatments, and seize future opportunities. Her efforts have included substantial donations of medical supplies, amounting to $100,000, to support breast reconstruction.

Dr. Adriiv shares this optimistic outlook. Her primary focus is not just on improving survival rates but also on enhancing the quality of life for women undergoing breast cancer treatment. “It’s important to support women not only physically but also psychologically,” she asserts. Dr. Adriiv aims to ensure that treatment guidelines are rigorously adhered to, reducing disparities in the quality of care.

The Role of Medical Conferences

A key highlight of their partnership was the organization of a major Breast Cancer Symposium in Ivano-Frankivsk. This event, the first of its scale in Prykarpattia, was a significant milestone for both doctors. Despite challenges such as securing sponsorships and dealing with limited state support, the symposium was a success.

It was Dr. Karanetz’s dream to hold an event like the Breast Cancer Symposium in Ukraine. With support from Dr. Adriiv, Dr. Natalia Komashko, and the CF Patients of Ukraine, she was able to realize this dream last spring, by combining her participation in the Face the Future medical trip with the symposium. The symposium featured live surgeries and presentations from leading oncologists and oncologic surgeons, offering invaluable learning experiences. Participants described it as a crucial platform for demonstrating new techniques and fostering professional growth among young surgeons.

Dr. Adriiv, who spearheaded the organization of the symposium, shares her experience: “The journey was incredibly challenging due to funding issues, but the outcome was rewarding. Many leading oncologists and surgeons participated, and the event was a significant step towards improving breast cancer care in Ukraine.” Her extensive network and international experience were instrumental in bringing together top professionals for this collaborative effort.

Written by Stephania Korenovsky

Learn more about and support the Co-Pilot Project and Razom Health.

Razom at Eurovision 2024: A Recap and Look Forward

Published: June 7, 2024

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is over with Switzerland taking home the trophy this year, but Ukraine’s performance “Teresa & Maria” by alyona alyona & Jerry Heil was nothing short of remarkable!

The Eurovision Song Contest took place in Malmö, Sweden on Tuesday 7 May (First Semi-Final), Thursday 9 May (Second Semi-Final) and Saturday 11 May (Grand Final) 2024. We at Razom, were proud to be part of the action, securing media accreditation and bringing you exclusive content throughout the competition.

Ukraine’s consistent success at Eurovision speaks volumes about the country’s incredible talent. This year, securing a well-deserved 3rd place further solidifies this legacy. With millions tuning in globally, Eurovision provided a powerful platform for Ukrainian music and culture.

The Razom team was on the ground and we were actively involved. We distributed gift packages to delegations and media, collaborated with the “Moloda Dumka” Children’s Choir on a captivating cover of “Teresa & Maria” (check it out on our YouTube), and even participated in a press conference, generating international media attention on Ukraine.

During our time at the press center, our goal was capturing content and interviews to ensure Ukraine remained a key part of the Eurovision conversation. This was especially important as media focus had shifted away from Ukraine in the preceding months.

Check out Razom’s exclusive interviews with Eurovision 2024 participants on our YouTube channel and don’t forget to subscribe!

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International Day for the Protection of Children

Published: June 1, 2024

June 1st is the International Day for Protection of Children. Nowadays, Ukraine’s children fight for a stolen childhood. For ten years, Ukrainian kids have been losing loved ones to the war in the East and for over two years, Russia has been actively committing atrocities, killing children daily and forcibly taking them from their families. This is not just a tragedy, it is genocide.

At Razom, we are dedicated to supporting and protecting these children through various projects and initiatives.

🔹 #RazomRelief

Future Project:

By supporting camps and centers for kids and teenagers, we aim to provide more than just education, skills, and safety in high-risk areas. Our goal is also to prevent young people from losing their sense of direction. Supporting these kids today means creating a healthier future populace who will be able to contribute to a stable and renewed country.

Razom Toy Drive:

The children of fallen defenders in Ukraine are under constant stress and in dire need of help. The Razom Toy Drive team is committed to wrapping these children’s hearts with warmth and love, recognizing their immense courage and resilience in the face of war. Read more: here

Razom Ticket:

This initiative aims to increase engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines among Ukrainian children. We strive to provide a head start for kids in the world of professional science, IT, and entrepreneurship. Read more: here

🔹 #RazomHealth

The Co-Pilot Project: We have brought, and continue to bring doctors on mission trips to Ukraine to operate on children and save lives, ensuring they receive the medical care they desperately need. Read more: here

Razom z Toboyu (Razom with You): This network of centers is designed to provide mental health support to individuals, both children and adults, who have been affected by war. Read more: here

🔹 #RazomAdvocacy

We are actively speaking out against the forcible and illegal deportation of Ukrainian kids by Russia, bringing international attention to these heinous acts. Read more: here

Your support is crucial in helping us continue these vital projects. Together, we can make a difference and offer support to the youngest victims of this war.

Donate to Razom and help us support and empower Ukrainian children.

Ilya Kaminsky with Yulia Musakovska and Olena Jennings at NYPL: In the Hour of War

Published: May 31, 2024

On May 9th, Ukrainian poetry was heard at the NYPL’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library. The New York Public Library (NYPL), Manhattan’s largest circulating library, was recently renovated with a generous gift from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and is a prime location for popular literary events in its 7th-floor terraced space.

Razom has been developing Ukrainian literary events with the librarians here for over a year. This was our second collaboration with them, following t last fall’s Ukrainian Cultural Festival, which featured writers Olena Stiazhkina, Andriy Kurkov, and Oksana Lutsyshyna.

At the center of this event were two books of poetry from Arrowsmith Press: Yulia Musakovska‘s first collection in English, The God of Freedom, and an anthology of Ukraine’s best poetry, In the Hour of War, co-edited by Ilya Kaminsky and Carolyn Forché. Both collections underscore the urgency of hearing poetry from a land devastated by war, affecting people, buildings, animals, and nature.

The anthology features the work of many poets and translators. Ilya Kaminsky presented his translations of Lesyk Panasiuk, Ostap Slyvynsky, Dmitry Blizniuk, and Anastasia Afanasieva, while Olena Jennings, a NY-based poet and translator, presented her translations of Kateryna Kalytko and Iryna Shuvalova. Photos of the poets were displayed on large screens in the auditorium, creating a visual presence in the room.

Unfortunately, the duration of the event was limited – we could have read and discussed poetry and the war in Ukraine for hours more! This is why Razom plans to host additional literary events and why we recommend purchasing these books.

Ilya Kaminsky spoke warmly about Razom’s work in Ukraine and shared feedback he has received during his frequent travels there. He also mentioned his work with a children’s poetry club in Odesa. One short poem by a very young Odesa-based poet was read, which was incredible.

More on the Speakers:

Yuliya Musakovska is an award-winning Ukrainian poet and translator who lives in Lviv, Ukraine. She is the author of five poetry collections, with a sixth on the way. The God of Freedom was published in Ukrainian in 2021 and has recently been published by Arrowsmith Press. Her poems have been translated into over thirty languages. She is fluent in English and Swedish and has translated poetry from these languages, including the works of Tomas Tranströmer.

Olena Jennings is a co-translator of The God of Freedom. Olena is a NY-based writer, poet, and translator who has significantly contributed to bringing Ukrainian poetry to American readers. In addition to Yuliya’s poems, she read her translations of Kateryna Kalytko and Iryna Shuvalova. Olena is the founder and curator of the Poets of Queens reading series and press.

Ilya Kaminsky was born in Odesa, Ukraine, and now lives in the United States. He is the author of two poetry collections, Dancing in Odesa and Deaf Republic, which came out in 2019 and was featured on many best poetry lists that year. He is a professor at Princeton University. Ilya co-founded Young People’s Poems Against Missiles, a program in Odesa that supports young and very young poets. As the program movingly states, Poems can allow young people to articulate themselves when they are in bomb shelters.” In 2023, he co-edited In the Hour of War with Carolyn Forché, a collection of poetry from Ukraine.

Join Razom Connect and discover the beauty of Ukrainian art, history, and voices!

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Together, we can prove to cultural programmers that Ukrainian stories are necessary and that there is a large audience ready for them.

Celebrate Ukrainian Culture and Strength with Vyshyvanka Day!

Published: May 13, 2024

#RazomVyshyvankaDay 🇺🇦

As we gear up to celebrate Vyshyvanka Day on May 16th, let’s delve into the significance of this intricate embroidered garment and why it holds such a profound place in Ukrainian culture.

The vyshyvanka is more than just a piece of clothing; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven with history, symbolism, and regional flair. Each stitch and motif carries a deeper meaning, passed down through generations. Here’s a glimpse into the rich symbolism embedded in Ukrainian embroidery:

• Colors hold significant meaning. Red symbolizes passion, love, and prosperity; blue represents peace, sky, and water; yellow signifies the sun, harvest, and joy.

• Ukrainian embroidery can reflect a blend of ancient beliefs and Christian faith. Geometric patterns like circles and squares might represent the sun, earth, or fertility, while Christian symbols like crosses and stars can also be incorporated.

• Embroidery styles and motifs differ across Ukraine’s diverse regions. For example, the Poltava region is known for its colorful floral patterns, while the Chernihiv region features intricate geometric designs.

Why Vyshyvanka Day Matters

Celebrating Ukrainian Culture:
Vyshyvanka Day is a day when Ukrainians worldwide proudly don their embroidered attire, showcasing their solidarity and unwavering commitment to preserving their heritage. It’s a celebration that not only honors the past but also paves the way for future generations to embrace their roots.

Resisting Cultural Erasure:
The vyshyvanka stands as a symbol of resistance. As Russia seeks to undermine Ukrainian identity, this traditional garment becomes a powerful tool of defiance, reminding the world that the spirit of Ukraine cannot be extinguished.

Share your photos on social media using #RazomVyshyvankaDay and #VyshyvankaDay to raise awareness about this important cultural symbol and inspire others to participate.

On Vyshyvanka Day, let’s not only adorn ourselves with the beauty of embroidered patterns but also carry forward the legacy they represent. Let’s stand in solidarity with Ukraine, embracing its culture, history, and unwavering spirit. Together, let’s weave a tapestry of resilience, unity, and hope that transcends borders and generations.

Join the movement, wear your vyshyvanka with pride, and let the world witness the enduring strength of Ukraine.