True Words. New Ukrainian Culture | Mieroszewski Centre

11:00-12:00 am
Presentation of a report on a public opinion survey on Polish culture conducted in Ukraine
Łukasz Adamski, Mieroszewski Centre
Inna Volosevych, Info Sapiens (Ukrainian opinion polling centre)

Ukrainian believe that Polish culture is among the most interesting ones among European countries, and as many as 72% of Ukrainian respondents indicated Poles as the closest nation in terms of culture. The report also presents very interesting data on well-known Polish cultural figures and artists, and identifies fields of potential cooperation.

12:15-2:15 pm
Presentation of the anthology “War 2022: Diaries, Essays, Poetry” (“Війна 2022”)
Volodymyr Rafieienko, writer
Ada Rohovtseva, actress
Viktoriia Amelina, writer
Andrzej Chyra, actor
Mariana Savka, writer, editor from the Old Lion Publishing House
Moderator: Zhenia Klimakin, Nova Polshcha

The anthology is one of the first books about Russia’s war with Ukraine published after 24 February 2022. It brings together works by some of the most eminent Ukrainian writers, as an early reflection of Russia’s full‑scale invasion. The anthology offers a timely and poignant record of pain and struggle, but also reflects the hope for victory and Ukrainian’s great determination. The collection features some of the best-known Ukrainian writers such as Serhiy Zhadan and Yuri Andrukhovych, and poet Lina Kostenko, as well as writers who are currently fighting on the frontline, such as Artem Chekh. During the meeting, excerpts from the book will be recited by Ada Rohovtseva, a legend figure of Ukrainian theatre and cinema.

3:00-4:00 pm
War, as seen through the photo lens
Dmytro Kozatskyi, photographer from Azovstal
Maciej Stanik, photojournalist
Moderator: Natalia Panchenko, leader of the “Euromaidan Warsaw” social initiative

Dmytro Kozatskyi, who has been hailed as ‘the eyes of Azovstal’ for his photographs taken at the Azovstal steelworks during the struggle between Ukrainians and Russian invaders, and Maciej Stanik, a Polish photojournalist working in Ukraine, will reveal the behind-the-scenes of their work.

4:15-6:15 pm
Film screening: “Viter zi shodu” (Wind from the East) (2019)
After the screening: meeting with film director Kateryna Stepankova
Moderator: Zhenia Klimakin, Nova Polshcha

The film tells the story of performances delivered in 2014–2019 in frontline towns by well-known Ukrainian actors. The audiences at the impromptu performances include internally displaced persons, soldiers, and residents of towns and villages in Donbas. The film’s protagonists talk about ‘their war’ – this perspective is particularly relevant today, as people often forget that the Russian-Ukrainian war began as early as 2014.