he Ukrainian Cultural Festival has kicked off in New York. This vibrant event, featuring 20 different activities, will run for two and a half weeks across New York until October 31, offering a rich mix of Ukrainian poetry, prose, and contemporary cinema. In the first three days alone, the festival has already showcased exclusive performances by the National Ballet of Ukraine, screenings of Ukrainian films, and a bandura master’s recital.
This was reported on the event’s official page by the organizers, Razom for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Institute in Kyiv.
On October 15, the Ukrainian Cultural Festival began with a performance by the National Ballet of Ukraine, during which Dora Chomiak, Executive Director of Razom for Ukraine, addressed the audience. That same day, the Yara Arts Group premiered the album Slap! at the Bowery Poetry Club. During the album release party, which featured Bob Holman, Susan Hwang, and Julian Kytasty, attendees enjoyed remarkable music inspired by Ukrainian artist David Burliuk. After the performance, the evening continued with a poetry reading, where Serhiy Zhadan presented his new works.
On October 16, "Slovo House. Unfinished Novel" premiered at Quad Cinema. This drama tells the story of Ukrainian writers during the “Executed Renaissance” who were gathered under the roof of a single building, forced to work for the Soviet system. The film illustrates how the communist paradise turned into a communist hell, underscoring the importance of freedom of speech and creativity.
On October 16 and 17, Yara Arts Group hosted a concert by Julian Kytasty, a bandura master, at the Renee and Chaim Gross Foundation. The concert featured performances of both traditional and new music, including compositions from Yara’s new theatrical piece "The Magic of Light".
Julian Kytasty is a third-generation bandurist, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He has been connected with the New York Bandura School (NY Bandura) since 1980 and has curated the Bandura Downtown series since its inception. He frequently collaborates with Yara, creating and performing music for theatrical productions, poetry readings, and festivals. His work on Yara's production "1917-2017: Tychyna, Zhadan and Dogs" earned him a New York Innovative Theater Award for Best Original Music.
On Thursday, October 17, the Harriman Institute at Columbia University hosted “A Ukrainian Dictionary of War: An Evening with Ostap Slyvynsky.” During the event, Slyvynsky presented poetry and prose from his recently published books, including the award-winning *The Winter King* and the new *A Ukrainian Dictionary of War*.
Photos: Steven Pisano, Yara Arts Group, National Ballet of Ukraine
Author: Inna Mikhno