It is with great inspiration and pride that I welcome you to the pages of the first issue of «Ukrainians and the World» magazine. This is not just a new publication - it is a voice that will tell about Ukrainians in different corners of the planet, their achievements, challenges, and contributions to world culture, science, business, and art.
Today, it is more important than ever to show that Ukraine is not just a territory on the map, but a powerful generator of ideas, talents, and change. We want to reveal to you the stories of those who, through their work and ideas, are changing the world, glorifying our country, and proving that Ukrainians deserve to be part of the global community.
In this magazine, you will find interviews with outstanding personalities, reports from different countries, interesting facts about our history and culture, as well as practical advice for those who dream of new horizons.
We believe that «Ukrainians and the World» will become a source of inspiration, motivation, and pride in our shared identity. Let’s discover new pages of our future together!
With best wishes,
Editor-in-Chief Olena Yaremchuk USA, Florida
The Ukrainian diaspora in America and Europe plays an important role in preserving national identity and cultural heritage. One of the key tools in this process is Ukrainianlanguage magazines, which inform, unite, and maintain a connection between Ukrainians abroad and their homeland.
Here are ten notable Ukrainian-language publications published in the USA and Europe:
Svoboda (Liberty): Founded on September 15, 1893, in Jersey City, USA, «Svoboda» is the oldest Ukrainianlanguage newspaper in America, continuously published to this day. It plays a key role in informing the Ukrainian community about events in Ukraine and the world.
The Ukrainian: Life and Culture: An English-language magazine that began publication in the USA in 2017. The aim of the publication is to familiarize the American audience with the culture of Ukraine and the life of Ukrainians.
Ukrainian Weekly: An English-language publication founded in 1933 by the Ukrainian National Association. The newspaper informs American society about events in Ukraine and the life of the Ukrainian community in the USA.
Veselka (Rainbow): A children’s magazine published in the USA, aimed at preserving the Ukrainian language and culture among the younger generation of the diaspora.
Hromada (Community): The only Ukrainian-language newspaper on the West Coast of the USA, covering events in California, Ukraine, and the world, uniting Ukrainians in the region.
Ukrainian People Magazine: A leading Ukrainian magazine in the USA that supports the Ukrainian diaspora, democracy in Ukraine, and cultural events.
Biblos: A magazine published in the USA focused on literature, culture, and history, promoting the preservation of Ukrainian heritage.
Nashe Zhyttia (Our Life): A magazine published by the Ukrainian Women’s League of America, covering the organization’s activities and issues related to Ukrainian culture and community.
Suchasnist (Modernity): A magazine published in the USA focused on contemporary Ukrainian literature, art, and social issues.
Lemkivsky Dzvin (Lemko Bell): A magazine dedicated to the culture and history of the Lemkos, an ethnographic group of Ukrainians, published in the USA.
These publications play an important role in supporting Ukrainian culture, language, and identity among the diaspora, as well as promoting information about Ukraine in the international context.
Ukrainian publications abroad are not just information resources, but an important element of cultural identity and connection between generations of Ukrainians in the diaspora. They fulfill a unique role, uniting communities, maintaining ties with the homeland, and preserving the native language in a foreign language environment. In addition, such publications make it possible to disseminate information about Ukraine, its culture, achievements, and struggle for independence in the world.
Florida, which is now home to a large number of Ukrainians, especially needs the creation of a high-quality Ukrainian-language publication. The state is experiencing significant growth in the Ukrainian community, which is looking for ways to preserve its identity, participate in cultural life, and receive up-to-date information about events in Ukraine.
MAGAZINE
The new magazine «Ukrainians and the World» will become not only a source of information, but also a platform for communication, exchange of experience, and integration of Ukrainians into the life of the local community. It will allow telling the stories of successful Ukrainians in Florida and other parts of the world, popularize Ukrainian culture and language among new generations, and also become a voice that reflects the interests of the diaspora in American society.
In the context of globalization and the growing importance of information platforms, the magazine «Ukrainians and the World» will become a key tool for preserving Ukrainian heritage abroad. Its creation in Florida is an important and timely step to strengthen national unity and support the cultural revival of Ukraine in the hearts of millions of Ukrainians outside their native land.
Talentvisa forUkrainians
The United States: A Country That Attracts the Best and Brightest from Around the World
The U.S. is a nation that draws the most talented individuals in science, art, sports, and business. For those who stand out in their fields, there are special programs that open doors to living and working in the United States. The three most popular visas for such individuals are the O-1, EB-1, and EB-2. But which one to choose, and how do they differ? Let’s take a closer look.
O-1 Visa
The O-1 is a temporary visa that allows individuals to work in the U.S. for a specified period. It is ideal for those who have already achieved recognition in their field but are not yet ready for permanent relocation.
This visa is designed for scientists, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, and creators. The main requirement is to prove exceptional ability. This could be demonstrated through awards, participation in international projects, or coverage in leading media outlets. However, one key condition is that you need a U.S.
employer or agent to sponsor you, as they are responsible for filing the petition for this visa—you cannot do it yourself.
Benefits of the O-1 Visa:
• Work in your field in the U.S. for three years (with unlimited one-year extensions).
• Bring essential assistants and team members to the U.S.
• Bring your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old.
Application Process:
1. Prove your uniqueness: Obtain an advisory opinion from a union,
professional organization, or experts in your field to confirm your achievements and authority.
2. The U.S. employer or agent files Form I-129 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), explaining why you are suited for the position.
3. After USCIS approves the petition, submit your visa application to the U.S. embassy. Attend an interview where you must present your achievements and convince the consular officer of your intent to work temporarily in the U.S.
Important Note: You can change employers only if the new employer
files a new petition with USCIS and it is approved.
The O-1 visa is perfect for those looking to test their skills in the U.S., work on a specific project, or participate in international events.
EB-1 Visa
The EB-1 is an immigrant visa program designed for exceptional professionals who have achieved significant recognition in their field. It provides the right to apply for a green card, granting permanent residence in the U.S. This is one of the most prestigious and direct pathways to achieving the “American Dream” for talented individuals.
The EB-1 visa has three subcategories:
• EB-1A: For individuals with extraordinary achievements in fields like science, arts, or business, with no job offer required.
• EB-1B: For scientists and researchers with international recognition, requiring a job offer from a university or research institution.
• EB-1C: For executives and managers of international companies who have worked for such companies for at least one year prior to applying.
Requirements:
1. Evidence of extraordinary ability in your field, such as science, arts, sports, or business.
2. Proof of national or international recognition of your achievements.
3. Recommendation letters from respected individuals in your field confirming your accomplishments.
4. Documentation of your professional contributions and their sig -
nificance in your industry.
5. Job offer from a U.S. employer (depending on the subcategory).
Key Benefits:
The EB-1 visa grants permanent residency, opening up long-term opportunities for talented professionals in the U.S.
EB-2 Visa
The EB-2 is another immigrant visa with a focus on education and professional experience. It is ideal for highly qualified individuals who want to obtain permanent residency in the U.S.
The EB-2 visa has three categories:
1. EB-2(A): For individuals with a master’s degree and 1–3 years of work experience, or a bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience.
2. EB-2(B): For individuals with exceptional ability who meet at least three of the following criteria:
Alena Yaremchuk Client, [12.01.2025 20:52]
• Educational degrees, diplomas, or certifications.
• At least 10 years of experience verified by employers.
• Licenses or certifications to practice in your field.
• Evidence of salary reflecting your professional achievements.
• Membership in professional organizations.
• Recognition of your achievements in your field.
• Participation in exhibitions or authorship of published work.
3. EB-2(C) (National Interest Waiver - NIW): Allows applicants with exceptional abilities to apply without a job offer if their work is of national importance to the U.S.
Applicants must demonstrate:
• The national significance of their work or ideas.
• Contributions to science, the economy, culture, or education in the U.S.
• Their work aligns with national interests, supported by recommendation letters and evidence.
Key Advantage:
For the NIW category, you do not need a job offer from a U.S. employer if you can prove the importance of your work to the U.S.
Conclusion
Talent visas such as O-1, EB-1, and EB-2 are essential tools for individuals with exceptional achievements in their fields who wish to realize their potential in America. These visas offer various pathways to permanent residency, enabling professionals, scientists, artists, athletes, and other experts to live and work in the U.S. By attracting talented individuals, the U.S. fosters innovation and supports economic growth.
For over 21 years, our company has provided reliable protection of intellectual assets worldwide. We assist entrepreneurs and innovators applying for talent visas by preparing convincing materials that highlight their inventions and intellectual property. Our experts provide personalized support, carefully preparing your case to emphasize your uniqueness and accomplishments.
Denys Pivniak American Lawyer USA, Miami www.ayaremchuk.com
1. Trademark Protection
Amazon provides trademark owners with the opportunity to register their marks in a specialized system that helps prevent counterfeiting and unauthorized use. This strengthens brand identity and increases consumer trust. The platform automatically blocks listings and accounts that violate trademarks registered under the Amazon Brand Registry program. Sellers can track statistics on enforcement actions, including the status and outcomes of their claims. However, to participate in this program and protect their rights, a registered trademark is required.
2. Copyright Protection
Amazon recognizes copyrights and intellectual property rights when selling books, music, movies, and other creative works. Content owners can register their works and control their distribution, ensuring fair compensation for their efforts. As mentioned earlier, an author whose rights have been violated can report the infringement to the platform.
On the Amazon platform, intellectual property plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and protecting creative ideas. This issue is especially relevant in the digital age, where the accessibility of information and products requires clear regulations and safeguards for rights holders.
One of Amazon’s key advantages over other marketplaces in intellectual property protection is the ability to report rights violations if individuals hold copyrights, patents, or registered trademarks. To do so, they must complete a special form provided by the platform. This universal feature applies to various types of intellectual property. Let’s explore them in more detail.
3. Patent Protection
Amazon also protects patent holders by preventing the sale of counterfeit or patent-infringing products. This promotes innovation and safeguards those who have invested in developing new technologies.
To enhance this protection, Amazon launched Project Zero, which allows instant removal of infringing listings without the need to contact marketplace support. Sellers provide Amazon with detailed information about their products, and the system automatically scans billions of listings to detect counterfeits.
Additionally, Amazon established the Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU), a specialized team dedicated to combating counterfeit products. The CCU collects data on brands and removes fake products from the platform. It also collaborates with brands, law enforcement agencies, and customers worldwide to stop counterfeiters and hold them accountable.
Why Protect Your Intellectual Property on Amazon?
Amazon is committed to fair trade and intellectual property protection,
fostering innovation and growth for all platform participants. Your rights will be protected, but you must complete the necessary registration process for your intellectual property. We understand that this process can be complex. The international legal consulting firm «Yaremchuk & Partners» has 23 years of experience in intellectual property and is ready to provide professional assistance.
Our Services Include: Consultations on intellectual property registration and protection Assistance in preparing and filing intellectual property infringement claims on Amazon.
Defense of your rights in cases of copyright, trademark, or patent violations.
Olena Yaremchuk Patent Attorney | Managing Partner International Legal Group “Yaremchuk & Partners” USA, Florida www.instagram.com/yaremchuk. group?igsh=Zm00aDV3OHFyMmRm
Ukrainian-speaking notaryinMiami
Sooner or later, everyone who moves to the United States or lives here will face the need to notarize documents. This can be a power of attorney, a purchase and sale agreement, or a confirmation of a copy of an important document. For many immigrants, the process of working with a notary in the United States may seem unusual, as this system is different from what we are used to at home. In this article, we will tell you who a notary public is in the United States, what duties they perform, and how you can become one.
Unlike European countries, where notaries perform a wide range of legal functions and hold the status of lawyers, notaries in the U.S. have a more limited scope of authority. The primary task of an American notary is to certify a signature on a document, confirming the signer’s identity, their voluntary consent, and the legality of the procedure.
In many states, notaries can also:
• Certify copies of documents
• Administer oaths
• Officiate wedding ceremonies
• Perform online notarization
A notary plays a crucial role in giving legal validity to documents used in court, business, or personal matters. Their actions determine whether a document will be legally recognized in case of a dispute. This ensures that agreements and documents are protected against forgery and have a high chance of being accepted by legal or financial institutions.
One key feature of notarial practice in the U.S. is that a notary op -
erates under a state-issued license. However, they do not provide legal consultations, draft contracts, or write wills. Their responsibilities are limited to confirming that a document is signed voluntarily and that the signer’s identity is verified according to the law.
Modern trends in notarization are becoming increasingly innovative. One such development is the rise of mobile notaries—professionals who travel to clients, offering convenience and saving time for those unable to visit an office. Additionally, techno-
logical advancements have ushered in a new era in notarial services— Remote Online Notarization (RON). This allows individuals to have documents notarized online without leaving their homes or offices. Such innovations are especially beneficial for people with disabilities, those living in remote areas, or those with busy schedules. They significantly improve access to notarial services, making them faster and more convenient.
In some U.S. states, notaries can officiate wedding ceremonies, an important additional function in their work. This allows couples to organize their marriage ceremony in a format that suits them without needing to involve religious officials or other authorities. A notary who officiates a wedding signs the marriage certificate, making the union legally valid. This simplifies and makes the marriage process more accessible, giving couples the flexibility to choose their preferred setting and atmosphere.
The process of becoming a notary in the U.S. varies by state but generally includes several key steps. First, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years old. Most states require candidates to complete a specialized training course covering the basics of notarization and relevant legal regulations. In some states, passing an exam is required, while in others, submitting an application and paying a registration fee is sufficient. Once approved, the applicant
receives a license and can obtain an official seal, which is mandatory for performing notarial acts.
Additionally, notaries must maintain a notarial journal and comply with established legal standards. It is also essential to regularly renew their license and meet ethical and liability requirements to avoid legal consequences such as fines or license revocation.
Thus, a notary public in the U.S. is not only a specialist who certifies document authenticity but also a key figure in ensuring legal security across various aspects of life, from personal transactions to business dealings. Their role extends beyond merely witnessing signatures and certifying copies—today, notaries can officiate weddings, perform remote notarizations, and provide mobile services, greatly enhancing the accessibility and efficiency of their work.
Various technological innovations, such as online notarization, make the process even more convenient, allowing clients to complete important legal transactions without physical presence. While each state has its own licensing requirements, the overall process ensures a high level of training and accountability for future notaries.
It is important to recognize that notaries in the U.S. do more than fulfill formal functions—they play a vital role in maintaining legal stability in society. This makes their profession not only in demand but also critically important for everyone.
Author: Volodymyr Koshovyi, American Notary Florida, Hallandale www.instagram.com/notary_ miami?igsh=dmI0bGtmajNyM3Q2
yers must be adaptable, proactive, and capable of providing precise, value-driven guidance tailored to each client’s unique needs, designed almost from scratch every time.
The rise of decentralized technologies has introduced complex regulatory landscapes where traditional legal frameworks struggle to keep pace. This shift demands legal practitioners who can navigate uncharted territories, combining legal expertise with an understanding of technological advancements. Advising on tokenization or decentralized finance requires both legal sense and technological literacy. We observe the following main challenges in the modern legal market: rapid technological advancement — the speed at which technologies evolve makes it difficult for regulations to keep up; clients expecting more than just legal advice — they seek strategic partners who help them achieve business goals; the global nature of digital assets and startups — lawyers must be prepared to work across multiple jurisdictions
The legal services market is undergoing a fundamental transformation in the current era of technological disruption. Emerging technologies, the rise of artificial intelligence, the rapid development of blockchain and the cryptocurrency industry, and the world’s growing de-globalization and economic clusterization are reshaping the essence of legal services and the expectations placed upon legal professionals.
Traditional legal services often revolved around standardized contracts and procedural, clientblind advice. Historically, law firms provided services based on well-defined templates and procedural guidelines that have been polished over the years. This approach suited a more static business environment with predictable legal requirements and rare breakthroughs. However, the need for more flexible and customized legal solutions emerged as industries evolved. Today’s dynamic market requires far more than technical knowledge of the current law and a couple of standard solutions. Law-
and regulatory frameworks.
We overcome these challenges by staying current with legal trends, constantly educating ourselves, prioritizing listening to our clients, and focusing on what matters most — delivering working tailored solutions rather than overcomplicated legal theories.
Luxembourg has long established itself as a prime gateway for investing in Europe, offering an especially advantageous environment for U.S. investors seeking to diversify or scale within the European market. Known
for its reliable legal framework and robust tax incentives, Luxembourg provides access to attractive investment vehicles that reduce complexity and promote favorable tax treatment. For example, the Luxembourg IP Box regime offers significant tax benefits on income derived from intellectual property, helping innovative tech ventures optimize their structures for maximum returns. The nation has also cultivated a digital-friendly ecosystem, welcoming emerging tech industries and hosting the European headquarters of global giants such as Amazon and Binance—showcasing its capacity to support dynamic, high-growth businesses. On the investment side, some of the world’s most recognized asset managers (including BlackRock, Blackstone, Carlyle, and Partners Group) maintain a strong presence here, benefiting from Luxembourg’s comprehensive financial infrastructure and extensive network of specialized service providers. Beyond stable regulation and a AAA credit rating, Luxembourg’s strategic location at the heart of Europe ensures seamless access to the EU market, adding to its appeal for investors looking to position themselves at the crossroads of global finance.
At Lawengers, a Luxembourg-based consultancy founded by three Ukrainian lawyers: Муkоlа Vdоvусhеnkо, Іvаn Zаkhаrkо, and Іhоr Sаvсhuk — we specialize in holistic supporting services for startups and investment vehicles, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and investment structuring. For individuals and organizations intent on capitalizing on Luxembourg’s stability
and flexibility, Lаwеngеrs offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to both established enterprises and early-stage companies. Our deep understanding of Luxembourg’s regulatory environment, combined with our focus on both classical industries (e.g. private equity, venture capital, securitization etc.) and cutting-edge fields like Web3, crypto, and digital technologies, allows us to create bespoke legal and business solutions. Whether structuring investment vehicles, setting up holding companies, or navigating the complexities of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, we guide clients through every stage of the process to ensure compliance and operational efficiency. We also facilitate personal and business relocations, leveraging our local network to handle residence and work permit applications, corporate registrations, and ongoing legal maintenance. This holistic approach ensures that our clients can tap into Luxembourg’s thriving financial ecosystem without getting bogged down by the intricacies of EU regulations, tax structures, or corporate governance requirements.
By blending traditional legal expertise with progressive technological insights, Lаwеngеrs stands ready to support new ventures, established investors, and all those who recognize Luxembourg’s global significance as an international hub for innovation and investment.
Authors: Mykola Vdovychenko, Ivan Zakharko, Ihor Savchuk Luxembourg LAWENGERS
The Ukrainian diaspora in Azerbaijan is the largest in the South Caucasus. According to the 2009 census, approximately 21,500 ethnic Ukrainians reside in the country.
Ukrainians began to settle in Azerbaijan as early as the 19th century, primarily due to the development of the oil industry in Baku. Over time, they integrated into Azerbaijani society while preserving their language, culture, and traditions.
Today, several Ukrainian public organizations are active in Azerbaijan, supporting cultural ties between the two nations.
With the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ukrainian Center was opened in Baku. Its activities are aimed at promoting Ukrainian culture, arts, history, and traditions. The Center regularly hosts exhibitions, lectures, master classes, screenings of Ukrainian films, and theatrical and musical evenings.
Photo 1.
Ukrainian Center in Baku
One of the primary focuses of the Ukrainian Center is education. The
«Mriya» school operates here, where children learn the Ukrainian language, customs, and traditions, providing them with the opportunity to connect with Ukrainian culture even far from their homeland. Special attention is given to nurturing
Ukrainian youth, particularly in the context of national identity and cultural heritage.
Photo 2.
Students
of the «Mriya» School
The Ukrainian Center collaborates with leading Azerbaijani universities and actively promotes the establishment of partnerships between Ukrainian and Azerbaijani higher education institutions. This collaboration allows for organizing joint conferences, exchange programs, and other educational initiatives, strengthening scientific and cultural ties between the two countries. Additionally, the Center offers Ukrainian language courses for Azerbaijanis interested in learning the language. A popular feature is the conversation club, held weekly, which helps participants improve their language skills in an informal atmosphere. For Ukrainians residing in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani lan -
guage courses are available, facilitating integration into local society.
The Ukrainian Center also serves as a meeting place for the Ukrainian community, bringing Ukrainians together and promoting the realization of their social and cultural initiatives.
Photo 3.
Celebration of St. Nicholas Day
Another active public organization is the «Ukrainian Congress of Azerbaijan,» led by Yuriy Leonidovich Osadchenko. Since 2012, the Congress has supported Ukrainian culture by organizing conferences, charity events, exhibitions, and marathons, fostering cultural exchange between the two countries. In cooperation with local authorities and the Baku International Center for Multiculturalism, the Congress popularizes Ukrainian traditions. Its
activities also focus on strengthening ties with the Azerbaijani diaspora in Ukraine.
Photo 4. Event organized by the Ukrainian Congress of Azerbaijan near the Taras Shevchenko Monument in Baku
The Ivan Franko Ukrainian Community is another active part of the Ukrainian diaspora, particularly in the city of Sumgait. Founded in 2017 by Tamiya Musayeva, the community unites around 150 members. Its main activities include promoting Ukrainian culture, organizing commemorative events, providing humanitarian aid to war victims, and
engaging in informational and educational activities. Sunday schools for children have become especially important, allowing the younger generation to maintain a connection to their homeland.
Photo 5.
Event celebrating the birthday of Taras Shevchenko
Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the community has focused on providing humanitarian aid, delivering more than 50 tons of supplies to Ukraine. Coordination centers for collecting and distributing humanitarian aid were set up in Baku and Sumgait.
Photo 6.
Campaign to raise awareness of the plight of Ukrainian prisoners of war and the missing The Union of Ukrainian Women in Azerbaijan, founded in 2022 as a volunteer fund «Help Ukraine Baku,» implements initiatives to support Ukraine. Led by Lydia Aliyeva, the Union organizes cultural events, festivals, master classes, and charity campaigns. In 2024, the organization became part of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations.
Photo 7.
Children’s Protection Day
One of the most prominent initiatives of the Union was the founding of the annual Ukrainian-Azerbaijani Cultural Festival «Vesnyanka.» This event unites the two cultures through music, dance, art, and traditions, fostering mutual understanding and
friendship between the nations. The Union also organizes cultural events, master classes, lectures, and charity initiatives, providing a platform for the support and self-realization of women. With the support of the Union of Ukrainian Women in Azerbaijan, the presentation of the Ukrai-
nian-language children’s YouTube channel «Veseloped» by Nadia Kyrey was held, as well as two animated films—“The Fox and the Grapes” and “My First Christmas Carol.” These animated films were created in collaboration with artists and activists from the Union, Lyudmila Kryvych and Iryna Sahani, who contributed their creative efforts to these vibrant projects. The development of Ukrainian content and animation is crucial for preserving cultural identity, promoting traditions, and creating high-quality children’s media. Additionally, soon the Authentic Ukrainian Embroidery Club, led by Hanna Sarkarova, will open as a platform for reviving ancient techniques, passing down knowledge, and strengthening cultural ties with national heritage.
Photo 8. Participants of the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani Cultural Festival «Vesnyanka»
The Ukrainian community in Azerbaijan vividly demonstrates how the preservation of national identity and cultural traditions contributes to the development of friendly relations between nations. Ukrainians not only maintain their connection to their homeland but also enrich the cultural life of Azerbaijan, setting an example of unity and mutual respect.
Azerbaijan Baku
InternalFoundationsof NGOEffectiveness
Drawing a clear line between ensuring an organization’s functionality and implementing its mission is challenging and, ultimately, unnecessary. Whether organizing events, setting up the office, onboarding new members or staff, or communicating with partners and media, always remember that every action - directly or indirectly - affects the image of your organization, now and in the future.
Below are some key practical tips for NGO leaders, as identified by the author. These suggestions, largely tested through the experiences of organizations like “Zelenyi Svit” (Green World), the Assembly of Civil Organizations of Small and Medium Businesses, and the Civil Council of
Maidan, can help guide your efforts.
Management Reflects Your Dream State
Your management style, the organization’s operations, and relationship ethics reflect the state you dream of. This dream is embedded not in your conscious mind but deep in your subconscious. If you prefer unilateral decision-making or believe that no one but you is contributing effectively or capable of managing the NGO, no matter how democratic your bylaws are or how you try to convince others, you’re likely a potential dictator.
Discipline is Key—Even in Democratic NGOs
An NGO is like a bird with two wings: one wing represents the mission’s implementation (external activity), while the other wing represents internal organization—a wellstructured and efficiently functioning mechanism. Without both wings working equally, the bird cannot just soar in the sky; it won’t even take off.
One common misconception in the nonprofit sector is that democratic organizations don’t need discipline. In reality, accountability, adherence to plans and deadlines, and the use of rewards and penalties are crucial not just for rigid systems like youth leagues or sects but also for any NGO aiming to achieve its goals.
Time Is Your
Most Precious Resource Time is irreplaceable and invaluable. Treat it with utmost respect. Meeting schedules should be adhered to down to the minute. Punctuality and precision should become hallmarks of your organization. A simple rule like “every minute of delay equals $1 to the organization’s
fund” works wonders.
Delegate to Innovate
The most effective way to create and implement new ideas is to delegate leadership to the idea’s originators. Allow the initiators of events or actions to lead them. Grant them full authority, including titles (e.g., coordinator or project manager), responsibility for the project planning, negotiating with partners and sponsors, drafting letters, and leveraging organizational resources. This approach reduces the number of impractical ideas and ensures smoother implementation. No one executes an idea better than its author.
Additionally, this delegation model simplifies and clarifies personnel policy, as leadership roles are filled not based on ambition or personal ties but on demonstrated initiative and successful practical results.
Avoid Self-Destructive Conflicts
Differences in views with leaders of other organizations often tempt one to focus on combating those groups. Resist this temptation. Do not initiate or engage in such conflicts. Instead, focus on constructive activities. During times of war, such as Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, divisions within
even non-political communities into “ours” and “not ours” can arise. These splits often benefit the enemy,
not your cause. Adopt the principle: “If they’re not with them, they’re with us.”
Demystify Fear of Spies
The narrative of omnipresent and all-powerful Russian intelligence services (e.g., FSB or GRU) often fos-
ters fear among activists. This fear can lead to self-censorship, internal distrust, and even organizational paralysis. While caution is necessary, overemphasis on spy-hunting can do more harm than good. Historically, Ukrainian civic movements have countered this by making it clear that accusing someone of being a “KGB agent” without evidence often raises suspicion about the accuser.
Beware the Cult of Personality
One of the final stages in an organization’s lifecycle, as identified by renowned expert Ichak Adizes, is the emergence of a personality cult. This stage signals the organization’s decline and eventual death. Key warning signs include:
• Prioritizing past achievements over future vision when selecting leaders.
• Favoring interpersonal relationships over organizational development in decision-making.
• Valuing loyalty and adherence to corporate culture over the ability to achieve goals.
When the leader becomes synonymous with the organization, its survival becomes impossible after his departure.
Let’s remember this.
Pavlo Zhovnirenko, Chairman of the Board, NGO “Center for Strategic Studies” Ukraine Kyiv www.facebook.com/pavlo.zhovnirenko
In 2016, I moved to Florida to pursue an MBA at Lynn University. However, my real journey into volunteering in Florida began in 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Uniting for Ukraine program gave many Ukrainians the opportunity to seek refuge in the U.S., and I realized that my experience and knowledge could be valuable to those fleeing the war with their families.
Boca Raton: From Idea to Community
The fall of 2022 marked the beginning of my active volunteering in Boca Raton. I organized charity events, brought Ukrainians together to celebrate national holidays, and created a cultural community that became a source of support for many. Our events weren’t just about entertainment—they focused on preserving Ukrainian traditions: workshops on pysanka (Easter egg) decorating, preparing traditional dishes, and organizing Christmas plays. Through these efforts, Ukrainians in Boca Raton felt they weren’t alone and had a network of support.
Over time, our community grew to become one of the most active in Flor-
ida. To ensure its stability, I passed the leadership role to a trusted friend and partner, allowing me to move to Miami and start a new chapter in my volunteering journey.
The Founding of Svitanok Miami Chapter
The situation in Miami was different: many Ukrainians had assimilated into a predominantly Russian-speaking environment. I believed it was essential to create a Ukrainian-speaking community that not only preserved Ukrainian culture but also advocated for Ukraine. With the support of an organization from New York, I founded Svitanok Miami Chapter.
We started with simple gatherings to meet, discuss important issues, and build connections. Over time, we organized cultural events, charity drives, and even individual protests in support of Ukraine. One of the most powerful moments was collaborating with Ukrainian military musicians during their Miami tour as part of the Cultural Forces of Ukraine. During a hurricane, we joined them and the Global Empowerment Mission to help Americans affected by the disaster. It was a profound demonstration of who Ukrainians are—people ready to help
First Steps in Volunteering
In 2014, during one of Ukraine’s most challenging times, I decided to try my hand at volunteering for the first time. As a fourth-year university student, I launched a project called Acta non Verba (Deeds, Not Words). It was a series of lectures and workshops, where we collected donations to support Ukrainian soldiers. That experience taught me that even small actions can make a significant impact when done with heart and a clear purpose.
others, even in the most difficult times.
Our Values and Mission Svitanok Miami Chapter is more than an organization. It is a community of people who value freedom, support one another, and stand with Ukraine. We believe that unity around shared values makes us stronger.
Our mission is to become a cultural and advocacy hub for Ukrainians in Miami while representing Ukraine’s cause on the international stage. Join Us!
If you’re a Ukrainian in Miami or simply someone who cares about supporting Ukraine, we invite you to join our community. Together, we can achieve so much more! Follow us on Instagram [@svitanok.mia](https:// instagram.com/svitanok.mia) for updates on our events, initiatives, and ways to get involved.
Light will always triumph over darkness. Let’s work together to make it happen. Together, we are strong!
Yaryna Levytska, founder of Ukrainian Spirit by Yaryna Levytska, promotes Ukrainian culture abroad. She told us about her challenges, achievements, and plans for the future.
What challenges and achievements in your work inspire you the most?
I am inspired by challenges that allow me to reveal the depth of my work and emphasize the importance of Ukraine, especially abroad. It is an opportunity to convey our traditions, customs and remind us that we are still at war. My achievement is helping people and contributing to the victory. I am moving step by step, doing my best for our common goal. Although I have a degree in political science, I never aspired to become a famous politician. My life has developed naturally in such a way that I have always sought happiness and security, and recognition was not important to me. My achievements of past projects inspire me to dedicate my work even more to winning the war and, when peace comes, to make every effort to rebuild Ukraine and the well-being of Ukrainians.
Are there times when you feel tired and want to give up?
No, I don’t. Many friends say that I can burn out, but I don’t feel that way. Sometimes I get tired and maybe once every six months it happens that I want to do nothing for a day. At such moments, I just go for a run and spend time with my family. But by the evening, my energy returns and I’m ready for action again. I am very active in my life, and even when it seems like I need to rest, my responsibility to the people who need my help always encourages me to continue.
How do you promote Ukrainian culture in the United States?
Promotion of Ukrainian culture in the United States includes participation in various events, both planned and spontaneous. For example,
we are often invited to represent Ukraine at various festivals, such as Peruvian or Caribbean festivals, even if these events are not directly related to Ukraine. One of the key events is the annual Vatra Ukrainian Culture Festival in Orlando, which lasts for two days and attracts participants and organizers from all over the US. In addition, we participate in the Fusion Festival, where more than 150 countries are represented, and I act as an ambassador of Ukrainian culture in Florida. I also actively promote Ukrainian culture at religious events in churches and other Ukrainian institutions. In addition, I work on organizing various events in partnership with the Ukrainian Project, Chaikovsky Productions, and Intellectual Leadership. I am planning to participate in the tenth Star Independent Film Festival in Miami, where this year’s films will include Butch, Taste of Freedom, Let’s Dance, Black Cossack, Me, Victory and Berlin. Some of my work is planned in advance, but a lot of it happens spontaneously, and it’s this diversity that fascinates me.
Can we say that you are a mentor in working with children?
Yes, I work as a mentor and volunteer in Orange County, specifically at the Blankner School, and in 2022 I received a statuette as the best mentor in the region. Although I have fewer children now than at the beginning, I continue to provide support both
academically and psychologically, taking children out of class for additional lessons. For example, there was a case when one of my wards wanted to take part in a talent show and did not have the opportunity. To support the girl and develop her talent, I bought her a unicycle so she could perform.
What values do you want to pass on to children?
The most important thing I want to pass on to my children is knowledge about Ukrainian traditions and their roots. Even though we live in America, it is important to preserve Ukrainian culture and respect for parents. The war taught us to support each other, and I tried to...
Famous Ukrainian volunteer and promoter Yaryna Levytska helps war veterans with rehabilitation and actively promotes Ukrainian culture in the United States! What is the strength of this bright and unbreakable woman? What are her plans for the future? Find out in our conversation!
- Yaryna, last time we talked in depth about your volunteer work and support for the Ukrainian military. Today we want to learn more about you as a person. Where were you born and when did you move to the United States?
- I was born in the small town of Radekhiv, Lviv region. I studied at
a school with advanced foreign language studies. I attended clubs, a drama theater, a music school, an art school, danced and practiced other types of art. She often took part in competitions and Olympiads.
At the age of 17, she entered the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and later studied at the Institute of International Relations. In 2011, she traveled to America for the first time to attend a conference. I already knew my future husband, who invited me to America. I decided to stay for two months and enrolled in a business school, which I graduated from as an external student.
Before the full-scale invasion in 2022, I was mostly in Ukraine. Now I am more in the United States because of my daughter’s education, who will soon start second grade. We spend one winter month and two summers in Ukraine. I believe that the war will end soon, and then I will be able to spend more time in my native Ukraine.
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- You are now actively promoting Ukrainian culture abroad, organizing various events. What horizons has promoting opened up for you?
- First of all, it’s about meeting talented people with whom I collaborate on various projects. I share my experience and opinions, interact with representatives of different nationalities and cultures.
The main goal of my work is to show and convey Ukrainian traditions, culture, and customs to a wide audience, particularly in the United States. It is important to make them understandable and interesting for local residents. A special part of this work is establishing partnerships and cooperation with various organizations. I want to believe that this will allow us to create larger and more meaningful projects.
- What kind of mother are you? What Ukrainian traditions do you have in your family?
- I have a wonderful daughter, and I am extremely proud of her. She is my inspiration and the meaning of life, gives me strength and energy for new achievements. We learn from each other: she plays the piano, and I have played and am playing; she dances, and I have danced and am dancing with her, and much more. We learn together, explore new things, complement each other. I strive to be an example for my daughter, because children imitate their parents. She is so strong and talented that I am sure of her great achievements in the future.
As for Ukrainian traditions, we sincerely support them. After all, I want to preserve them and pass them on to my children, and then to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We celebrate Easter and Christmas according to Ukrainian traditions: with embroidered shirts, prayers, and traditional Ukrainian dishes. We paint Easter eggs and dye Easter eggs, sing carols, and follow the tradition of hospitality, hosting friends and relatives in the evenings with Ukrainian music. We study Ukrainian poetry and sing Ukrainian songs.
We try to go to church every Sunday, although it is not always possible due to the large number of events on weekends. We also follow the tradition of addressing our parents as “You” with respect. This is part of our family upbringing, which emphasizes the importance of respect in relationships.
- What is your feminine strength? Can you share your own recipe for success?
- Perhaps my feminine strength is that I am a social person. I can easily find a common language with people, I can listen and advise, I quickly establish contact, which attracts everyone. I am often told that my eyes smile and my face radiates joy. Because I try to find the silver lining even in problems, turning obstacles into steps to the goal and success. My recipe for success is love for life and people, as well as a positive approach to everything I do. My energy and strength come from this positive attitude and helping others.
- What goals do you set for yourself? What are you preparing for in the near future?
- First of all, I am preparing for the Victory. My goal is to return to my homeland not only with short trips to help others or visit my parents, but to enjoy life in my native country.
My goals are ambitious, but I do not disclose all the details, hoping that I will succeed and then everyone will be able to know about them. One of the main goals is to continue helping people, especially our military and veterans. I plan to be involved in various projects related to the veterans’ movement, as well as actively promote Ukrainian culture in the United States.
It is important to me that my activities benefit and help others, especially those who have suffered from war. This is my task and goal for the near future.
The VIDNOVA Ukrainian-Swiss Foundation is more than just a public organization; it serves as a multifunctional platform for uniting, integrating, and supporting Ukrainians in Switzerland. This foundation symbolizes the partnership between Ukraine and Switzerland, leveraging the resources of both countries to create impactful social, cultural, and humanitarian initiatives. Thanks to the efforts of its founder, Olesya Tarasenko, and her team, VIDNOVA has become a benchmark for effective management and the successful implementation of ambitious projects.
Olesia Tarasenko, the founder and president of VIDNOVA Ukrainian-Swiss Foundation, is also the coordinator of numerous projects. With extensive experience in marketing, PR, media, event organization, and NGO management, her work goes far beyond standard management. She is the driving force behind many social initiatives.
Key achievements of VIDNOVA in the past year:
- Signed over 20 memorandums of cooperation with various organizations.
- Built a network of more than 30 partner organizations.
- Delivered numerous cultural, educational, and social projects, including the large-scale IntegraS Forum in Bern, Switzerland, with 600 attendees, as well as collaborative forums in Brussels, Rome, Milan, and other locations.
VIDNOVA actively partners with international organizations, government agencies, and volunteers to maximize the efficiency of its operations. Olesya Tarasenko is not only a strategic leader but also deeply
involved in every project, from planning to execution.
The organization’s success is underpinned by its professional team, which includes talented specialists such as Vita Chursinova, Svitlana Oreshchak, Olha Tarasenko, Olha Orlova, Aurika Ivashko, Viktoriya Velychko, Kateryna Vynohradova, Svitlana Naumenko, and others. Together, they ensure effective event management, partnership development, and media promotion.
Key activities and achievements:
1. Social integration and community support
VIDNOVA has created a platform to integrate Ukrainians into Swiss society through conferences, forums, and educational programs. The IntegraS Forum, held in October 2024 in Bern, is a prime example. The event covered adaptation, employment, and social integration topics, featuring speeches by high-ranking officials from Switzerland and Ukraine, panel discussions with UkrainianSwiss organizations, and hands-on workshops. With over 600 attendees, the forum became a significant
event for the Ukrainian community in Switzerland.
2. Cultural initiatives
VIDNOVA actively supports Ukrainian artists by organizing exhibitions, concerts, and other events. Notable examples include cultural festivals, fairs, and performances by prominent Ukrainian performers.
3. Support for young talent
The organization is committed to fostering young artists and talents. For instance, VIDNOVA facili -
5. Media Outreach and Communication
VIDNOVA effectively uses its extensive media platform, which includes:
- 10 websites,
- 25 Telegram channels and groups, - multiple Facebook pages and groups,
- partnerships with printed magazines.
Their total online reach exceeds 100,000 subscribers, and their offline initiatives, including major events, have engaged more than 3,000 participants.
While VIDNOVA’s primary focus is Switzerland, its activities extend to countries where partner organizations operate, including Turkey, Ro -
tated the participation of Illia Konovchenko, a finalist in the national selection for Junior Eurovision, organizing a fan meeting in Switzerland. This event helped the young singer gain support from both the Ukrainian community and local residents.
4. Psychological support
Understanding the importance of mental health, VIDNOVA provides psychological assistance to Ukrainians affected by the war. The organization conducts stress management workshops, individual and group consultations with professional psychologists, and sessions addressing family and personal issues.
mania, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Belgium, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, and Serbia.
VIDNOVA Ukrainian-Swiss Foundation exemplifies how collaboration, inspiration, and professionalism can transform the lives of thousands. Under the leadership of Olesya Tarasenko and the unwavering support of her team, the organization continues to create opportunities for Ukrainians abroad, fostering their integration, prosperity, and cultural development. VIDNOVA stands for unity, the strength of community, and belief in a brighter future. Switzerland
This publication begins the section “Spiritual Mysteries of the World”, which will cover the true history of Ukraine. All the facts presented in this and subsequent articles are reliable, verified and confirmed by scientific publications with reference to world academic sources.
It is time to bury the imperial and Soviet myths about the historical heritage of Ukraine and Ukrainians.
The strategy of Russian geopolitics is to absorb Ukraine, claiming its history and role in the formation of European civilization.
The past century has been a difficult test not only for Ukraine and its people. The world was recovering from and gradually freeing itself from such vestiges of the past as slavery, imperial and colonial policies, and shaking off the remnants of fascism. At the same time, a new threat was looming from the east of the European continent-the
imperialist neo-fascist Soviet Union led by Russia. Having subjugated most of the territories that had been part of the USSR with unprecedented violence and inhuman terror, this monster disguised itself as the most attractive idea - the “will of the people.” For this purpose, the Soviet propaganda machine created its own religion of myths, twisting and distorting historical facts to support its existence.
When the history of Ukraine begins.
“The motherland of the Indo-European peoples is the area north of the Black Sea” - this conclusion was published by Sorbonne University professor Mr. Hirschman, head of archaeological expeditions, in his book Iran, published in the United States in 1965. [7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]
“The Aryans came out of the territory of Ukraine,” says the French historian Mr. Beauvais in his book Man Through the Ages. “The Aryans brought the entire ancient Aryan culture to Europe from the territory of Ukraine,” another researcher, Michel Boulle, later confirmed this idea.
In his book “Freedom in the Ancient World,” published in New York in 1961, author Herbert Mueller said: “Scholars now consider Ukraine to be the most plausible homeland of the Indo-Europeans.”
The oldest site in Central and Eastern Europe and one of the largest in Europe is the Korolevska site, which is about 1 million years old [15]. It dates back to the Early Paleolithic period. The site was found on a 120-meterhigh hill in the upper Tisza basin, in the village of Korolevo in Zakarpattia. This is the oldest site in Eastern Europe, from which the initial settlement of this part of the European continent begins and the human history of Ukraine begins. In Korolevo, stone tools of primitive man were found - axes, scrapers, sharp points, incisors, choppers, knives. In a 12-meter layer of loam, 16 cultural layers with traces of material culture from several paleological epochs were found. The number of finds reaches about 100 thousand items. Among them are tools of CroMagnon, Neanderthal, and pithecanthropes. [1, 2, 3, 5, 6]
These finds date back to the Ashelian era, an archaeological culture of the early Paleolithic period, 1.7 million to 150 thousand years ago. And although the name comes from Saint-Achel, a suburb of Amiens on the Somme River in northern France, the archaeological finds in the Somme are much younger than the Royal ones.
In Soviet times, a crushed stone plant was built on the
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territory of the Koroleve archaeological site.
According to various sources, the Kyiv-Kyrylivka site dates back to 1925 thousand years.
In Kyiv, in Podil, near St. Cyril’s Church, fragments of a mammoth tusk were found. Further excava-
of these images. Scientists consider zoomorphic images as the personification of the three elements that surrounded primitive man: earth (mammoth), air (bird), and water (turtle).” [4, 8, 16].
www.youtube.com/ watch?v=4dZ55PflDqc
tions revealed several cultural layers.
“The upper cultural layer (excavation area of 600 m2) consisted of round layers (2 m in diameter, 5-10 cm thick) with the remains of hearths, flint tools (300 pieces), bones of cave bears, wolves, wolverines, and hyenas. These clusters (20 in number) were arranged in a nestlike pattern and were stretched out in a line.” They are believed to be the remains of the dwellings of people who settled here in the Paleolithic period.
“The Kyiv-Kyrylivka site immediately became known for its unique artwork - ornamented mammoth tusks. This is a fragment with an incised ornament in the form of lines and notches (something like the divisions on a ruler) and a fragment with an engraving. The composition is composed of zoomorphic images (in profile) of a mammoth, a bird with a long beak (stork or crane), and a turtle. .... There are many guesses and hypotheses about the meaning
“The fate of the Kirillov collection is also interesting. A small part of the finds was taken by French researchers and taken to France. Now it is stored in the Museum of Nation-
al Antiquities in Saint-Germain-enLaye.” [6, 10].
According to Tetiana Radievska, senior researcher at the StoneBronze Age Archaeology sector of the Research Department of Funds Preservation of the NMIU: “In the 1970s, employees of the NMIU funds T. H. Movsha and O. O. Yakubenko returned the depassported materials of the Cyril’s site for science using pre-war publications and old inventory numbers.” [6, 10].
The same cannot be said about the leader of violations of academic integrity, the aggressor country, Russia. During the Second World War, the collection was evacuated to Ufa, Russia. [17]. As is widely known, Russian “scientists” continue to present artifacts found in Ukraine as Russian finds.
We hope that through the efforts of the international scientific community, Ukraine will regain its history and culture.
Glory to Ukraine! List of sources
1. K. Kris Hirst, Molodova I (Ukraine), 03.2019, www.thoughtco.com/molodova-iukraine-paleolithic-site-171818
2. Demay L, P é an S, and PatouMathis M. in press.Mammoths used as food and building resources by Neanderthals: Zooarchaeological
study applied to layer 4, Molodova I (Ukraine).Quaternary International.
3. Meignen, L., J.-M. Genest, L. Koulakovsaia, and A. Sytnik. 2004. Koulichivka and its place in the MiddleUpper Paleolithic transition in eastern Europe. Chapter 4 inThe Early Upper Paleolithic Beyond Western Europe, P.J. Brantingham, S.L. Kuhn, and K. W. Kerry, eds. University of California Press, Berkeley.
4. T. M. Radiievska. Archaeology in the Scientific Work of Khvedir Vovk, Materials from His Research in the Collection of the National Museum of Ukraine.
UDC 902(091):069.5
5. L. Demay, P. M. Vasylev, L. V. Koulakovska, D. V. Stupak, P. S. Shydlovskyi, V. I. Belyaeva. Palaeolithic human societies during the upper pleniglacial period and their connections with the animal world according the evidence from archeological sites of Ukraine. 82 ISSN 2227-4952 (Print), ISSN 2708-6143 (Online). Археологія і давня історія України, 2020, вип. 4 (37)
6. Baye Joseph de, Volkov Theodore. Le G isem ent paleolithique d’Aphontova-Gora - Paris, 1899.
7. Yakovleva L. New Data on the Archaeological Collections of V. Khvoika from the Kyrylivska Site // ANT. Bulletin of Archaeology, Art, and Culture. – 2000, – No. 4-6. – P. 96.
8. S. A. Sorokina, T. M. Radiievska, O. M. Zavalna. Kyiv Archaeological Collections Under the Control of German Administration in the Field of Archaeology (1942–1945). UDC 069(1-4) + 94:902(477-25) + 930.25“1942/1943”
9. Pawlo Shydlovskyi, Dmytro Stupak.THE RESEARCH OF FLINT IMPLEMENTS ON KYRYLIVSKA SITE. У Д К 903.4(4-11+ 477.6)“632.5”
10. Tresors meconnus du Musee de l ’Homme. Dans le secret des objets et des mondes / Catherine Eveeds. / Museum National d ’Histoire Naturelle. - Paris, 1991. - 180 p.
11. Khvoiko V. V. The Stone Age of the Middle Dnieper Region // Proceedings of the XI Archaeological Congress. – Vol. 1. – Moscow, 1901. – P. 736-754.
12. Khvoiko V. V. The Kyiv-Kyrilivska Paleolithic Site and the Magdalenian Era Culture // Archaeological Chronicle of Southern Russia. – Vol. 1 (1903). – Kyiv, 1904. – P. 26-57.
13. Volkov F. K. The Art of the Magdalenian Era in Ukraine // Archaeological Chronicle of Southern Russia. – Vol. 1 (1903). – Kyiv, 1904. – P. 19-21.
14. Boriskovsky P. I. The Paleolithic of Ukraine // Materials and Research on Archaeology (MIA). – No. 40. –Moscow-Leningrad, 1953. – P. 160-174.
15. Larissa. Kulakovska, Vitaly Usik. Early Paleolithic of Korolevo site (Transcarpathia, Ukraine).
16. Pavlo Shydlovskyi. Study of the Flint Inventory of the Kyrylivska Site / Investigation of flint inventory of Kyrylivska site. December 2012. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.1202188
17. Nathalie Richard Volkov in France: Cultural Transfers in Anthropology and Prehistoric Archaeology at the End of the 19th Century.Le Mans Universit é . January 2012.
18. Oleksandr Naumenko. The Iskorost Site and its Place in the Stone Age of Ukraine: Historiographical, Typological and Technological Aspects. September 2022. Arheologia
By Denys Bohush, Kyiv Head of the international project «Cossack-Characternyk»
and the Academy of Characternykhood «The Power of the Earth,» neurophysiologist, and martial arts master.
The knowledge of the characternyks is based on sacred knowledge (Spas, characternyk science, etc.) that has existed for many years on the territory of modern Ukraine. The veduns (sorcerers), magi (sorcerers), characternyks, and magicians preserved knowledge in order to live happily in this territory and use limitless possibilities. But knowledge is not only preserved, but also improved and applied in various situations for different purposes.
This knowledge was obtained through historical findings, work with various sacred sources, and direct transmission from both teachers and the family line.
My lineage
I have an interesting Bohush lineage, which I began to research very closely after filming in the movie «Black Cossack» in 2010-2011. I realized that my family had many characternyks and sacred knowledge. It turned out that even in Soviet times, my grandfather, Denys Bohush, was engaged in research on paranormal human capabilities in special service
structures at the highest level. He not only collected this knowledge but also actively participated in the incredible developments of that time. He personally communicated with Tibetan monks, was in China, and directed the deciphering and then the implementation of the knowledge and achievements of the German Ahnenerbe Institute in the USSR.
After digging through a pile of special service archives and my own family archive, I came across such a layer of my ancestral knowledge that at first I didn’t even believe it was possible... I have already written a separate book about this. My research also reached my greatgreat-great-great-grandfather Ivan Bohush, who was a friend of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi.
There was also the chieftain of the Zaporizhian Army, Yakym Bohush, who was the last to defend the Kamian Sich, preserved part of the Cossack army and treasury, and took out the remains of Ivan Sirko. Then, in 1710, he founded the Oleshkiv Sich. He was a fierce opponent of Muscovy, so he was not included in textbooks about the Cossacks. His father was definitely a characternyk, because his nickname was Ulas Vidma (Ulas the Witch).
So I traveled to various interesting people who claimed to know the characternyk science and Spas, and learned a lot. But still, the main knowledge was in my family.
The main book I wrote on this topic is «Cossack-Characternyk or the Secret Science of Grandpa Arkhip,» which contains a large amount of knowledge about how characternyks were trained over the years from their very childhood. There are also my various seminars and lectures where you can gain knowledge of characternyks. Some interesting
things about the characternyk science are in this article.
Who are the characternyks?
«Characternyks, whom neither fire, nor water, nor saber, nor ordinary bullet, except for a silver one, could take. Such «characternyks» could unlock locks without keys, sail a boat on the floor as if on sea waves, cross rivers on felt or mats, take hot cores with their bare hands, see for several versts around them with the help of special «mirrors,» live on the river bottom, climb into and out of tightly tied or even sewn bags, «turn» into cats, turn people into bushes, riders into birds, climb into an ordinary bucket and swim in it under water for hundreds and thousands of versts.»
D. Yavornytskyi
The Cossack-characternyk is a Ukrainian national image of a heroperson who had deep knowledge and supernatural abilities. Such unique people were rare even among
the Cossacks of that time. These were people whom all adults feared, and all children secretly wanted to be like them! Cossack-characternyks are a real fact in the history of our people, and the techniques and training they developed and mastered are an invaluable treasure of Ukrainian culture, worthy of study and imitation. Characternyks are those who, in childhood, found some characteristic, peculiarity, or talent. And for at least two decades, they were brought up and forged by special exercises and knowledge, and as a result, a person could do what others could not even imagine. Both girls and boys became characternyks. Today, this knowledge is being revived, and there is more and more opportunity to train real characternyks if this is done from childhood to adulthood. Certain properties of characternyks are manifested in our warriors.
Cossack Mamay
«Though you look at me, you won’t guess! Where I come from and what I’m called, you don’t know anything! If anyone happens to be in the steppes, then he can guess my last name. But I don’t have just one
name, I have a whole lot of them! Mamay means «no one.» It is «no one» that we need for the transition to the unknown. Cossack Mamay is the ultimate formula for building the world of all our Ukrainian people. Images of Cossack Mamay hung in every house for centuries. He was a cherished amulet and passed down from generation to generation along with customs - exercises. Since Mamay is No One, he cannot be drawn, he cannot be named, and he cannot be understood. The great mystery lies in the fact that when contemplating the picture of Cossack Mamay, you need to imagine that there is neither him, nor a horse, nor a saber, nor a spear, nor an oak tree, nor a kobza, etc. Whoever can do this is ready to see the invisible world. This is what our ancestors did for centuries, and miraculously this tradition has been preserved to this day. For those who cannot do this, he will remain an amulet in the house.
Truth and Falsehood
Truth and falsehood constantly competed for who would rule the world. In other words, this is the
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struggle between good and evil. Everyone has a choice to be either with truth or with falsehood. If a person wants to be free, they must live their whole life with the truth, and then they will have freedom of choice and the opportunity to be in Vyriy (paradise). Being with the truth is not easy, because there are many different situations and events in life where it is not clear whether it is truth or falsehood. Truth can only be felt with a sincere heart. For the mind, falsehood is more often disguised as truth. You need to feel your own destiny yourself. It is important not to listen to people who can pass off falsehood as truth. You need to make your own choice, because this is your destiny.
Four directions of characternyk practices:
Power - achieving the strength of body and spirit in reality.
Roots - perception of one’s lineage and line of teachers.
Vision - achieving the vision of the aura (of plants, animals, people, entities) of different planes and realities, a clear state. Feeling the Power of the Earth.
Dreams - development in dreams from different worlds to Mamay.
Essence - awareness of one’s essence and mission.
Mamay’s MountainSeven Steps to Salvation
If you look closely, there is a swirling Sea of Grief in our universe. And in the middle of this troubled sea stands the great Mamay’s Mountain in the form of seven steps to salvation with Cossack Mamay at the top. If you exit the Sea of Grief, the sea of fears, anger, disappointment, and the vortex of events, then you are on the path to Mamay’s Salvation. But only a few with great thirst and will for salvation can get out of the Sea of Grief. But you can only jump out
of this damned sea with the help of Spas (Savior).
Spas of Radiance:
Spas of Radiance is the key to the invisible world. Once you have determined which side you are on and have skillfully and diligently worked with your body, you can begin to look into the invisible world. You must first learn to see the radiance around plants, animals, and people in this world, and then you will see other beings that live next to us, other dimensions and realities. Here it is important to see the boundaries of radiance and the boundaries of your own fantasies – what are the markers on this path. Awakening in Reality and perceiving the elements and the Power of the Earth are important skills at this level.
Spas of Dreams:
Your dreams can be useful in life. The techniques of working with dreams are called Snivo. The first important stage of Snivo is a trip to the «library,» and the last is the path to Mamay. All this is done with a Snivo horse, which must be well-fed, hardy, and fast. The path of Snivo levels: blind horse, horse with a cart, free horse, conscious horse, horse in a horse, above the herd, and together with Mamay.
The capabilities of the horse in Snivo depend on where you fall asleep and who helps you in this difficult journey.
Spas of State:
Spas of State are the states of the body and consciousness that can be entered and exited. There are seven basic states and 40 states of the great map of Spas reality.
The characternyk science makes it possible to study these states and apply them on the path to salvation. In the Spas of State, transformations of the body and transformations of the shadow are possible, which
makes one’s own life incredible and unusual in relation to others.
Spas of Will:
Every person in life must make ten choices. There is a river of life, and by entering it, you make the first choice. And there is no way back. The second choice is fate or will. That is, you must choose: either go with the flow and surrender to circumstances, or go with the spirit and strength, control your life and all events. Take responsibility.
The third choice is joining the truth. The fourth choice is to pass the rapids. The fifth choice is to get out of the stream. The sixth choice is the form of the spirit. The seventh choice is the concentration and dispersion of events.
The eighth choice is «the whirlpool or paradise of events.» It is important to create this «paradise» around you and transform everything into spirit and truth. The ninth choice is the center of tranquility. And it is important to get out of the stream not just anywhere, but into this very center of the paradise. The tenth choice is together with Mamay.
Spas of Mamay:
Salvation from this damned life and the cycle of diving into the Sea of Grief. The path to the universal source, to God, as they say in similar cases.
Mamay is the son of the universe, mother nature, and divine providence. And in the Ukrainian universe there is a path to freedom and salvation – and it concerns Mamay.
The highest step in the study of Spas and the characternyk science.
Radiance
Many layers of radiance are formed around all living beings. It can be seen.
Everything that lives glows. In humans, the radiance is the most com-
plex - luminosity, and in stone - the simplest. Animals and plants are in the middle.
By radiance, it is possible to determine the line between life and death, health and disease, past and future. Invisible beings also have radiance around them. They can also be in different states.
Characternyks are able to see and observe the radiance of visible and invisible beings, but this is their great secret.
Characternyks also have many layers of multicolored radiance around them, similar to an onion. And someone is also watching their radiance.
The biggest mystery:
who has been watching the characternyks since ancient times.
It is possible to make the transition from the visible to the invisible world and vice versa.
These skills are both given and trained. It is possible to see it yourself, but you cannot do without characternyk initiation.
It is best to contemplate the harmony of the world.
Practices for perceiving the invisible world
Snivo
There is Reality, and there is Snivo. Reality is our perceived world,
and Snivo is the fabric of dreams. We spend a lot of time in sleep, and this time should be used to study the characternyk science, because we waste sleep time in vain.
The most important rhythm in the life of a characternyk is the rhythm of sleep and wakefulness. When the sun rises, a large amount of light energy rises with it for the activity of all living beings. When the sun sets, the flow of activity energy disappears. It is useful to be active when the sun is in the sky, and to sleep when it is not. If you do the opposite, it is unnatural.
There are many levels of dreams, layered one on top of the other, like clothes in an onion. The outer layers, the first two levels, are the grinding of one’s own problems. Useful dreams begin with the third layer.
Blind horse. The outer level of Snivo is called «blind horse» or «body game.» Actions in it are caused by physical exertion, heavy food at
night, illnesses of the body, nervous tension, life problems, and various troubles. These problems are ground in such dreams, so you will not find anything useful here and you will not learn anything.
Horse with a cart. The middle level is called «horse with a cart» or «game of consciousness.» It is caused by unfulfilled desires, related dreams and problems, resentments and external attachments, psychological experiences, desires of loved ones and acquaintances. If desires are not realized in real life, then it strains the fabric of sleep, so they begin to be realized in a dream. This is also a level of Snivo that is not useful for development.
Free horse. The inner level of Snivo is called «free horse.» At this level, you are already freed from the bonds of Reality and can travel through Snivo, fly and learn. It is recommended to visit the characternyk academy and library during this Snivo. There are even deeper levels of Snivo, because the onion has many layers. But for the benefit of the matter, the mentioned three levels are enough.
There are also levels «conscious horse,» «horse in a horse,» «above the herd,» «together with Mamay,» etc.
Power for everything. For Snivo of the third level «free horse» and deeper levels, saved and collected life energy will be needed. The horse must be fed and watered, then it will be ready for long and dangerous journeys. Otherwise, sleep will only
become a rest after a busy day.
Snivo practices
Will and Fate
There is an ancient characternyk practice called «Will and Fate.» Will and fate are the basic tools of life, and you need to be in a certain state of self-sufficiency and omnipotence, with constant connection to the truth («touching the truth»), being a form of the spirit, and then you will be together with Mamay*.
How to explain this?
Every person in life must make ten choices.
There is a river of life, and by entering it, you make the first choice. And there is no way back.
The second choice is fate or will. That is, you must choose: either go with the flow and surrender to circumstances, or go with the spirit and strength, control your life and all events. Take responsibility. And this will be your choice.
The third choice is joining the truth. You must be with the truth. If you imagine that there is «truth» and «falsehood» (respectively, good and evil), then you must keep the truth as close to you as possible. And «falsehood» (evil, conflicts with the world and yourself) should be further away. What will be closer to you, and what will be further away - this is your choice.
The fourth choice is to pass the rapids. It is very important to go through certain trials in life. And life itself throws these trials at us for every taste and according to our different abilities. For the Cossacks, these were the rapids, which is why they were called Zaporizhzhya. And they had a saying: «A goat with trouble is like a fish with water» - the Cossacks were never afraid of obstacles and problems and always overcame them with dignity.
The fifth choice is to get out of the stream. You need to get out of the stream of events of the river of life. Everyone swims, but sometimes you have to get out of this stream and watch it for a while. You need to be able to stop so that the chaos, problems, and stupidity do not drag you into the stream. Periodic exit
from the stream can be in the form of meditations, some spiritual practices.
The sixth choice is the form of the spirit. It is impossible to control one’s life and movements in the stream if one cannot be a form for the spirit. Accordingly, you must be
empty in order to accept the spirit into yourself. When you are a form of the spirit, there are many more correct choices in your life. What is the form of the spirit? We live, and we have an internal dialogue. And it tells us: «This is good, and this is bad.» When we are a form of the spirit, we do not have an internal dialogue. When we stop it and let something higher into
The seventh choice is to be able to pass through walls, transform into animals, move freely in space and time, and control one’s shadow.
The eighth one is to know the laws of Snivo and win a total battle in a dream.
The ninth one is to be able to send mana and darkness and ward them off, to be able to cast spells and heal.
And the tenth choice is to be a patriot of Ukraine! To know and preserve the language and culture of our people, to defend the native land, without sparing one’s own life. To preserve the power of the primordial Cossack spirit.
Glorification of our lineage
We are descendants of the ancient Aryans, the warlike Scythians, the wise magicians of Rus’, the knights and heroes, glorified in the epics and legends of Rus’-Ukraine. Of Igor and Princess Olga, Svyato -
slav the Brave, Volodymyr the Great, Yaroslav the Wise, and the Savior Mamay.
Of the Cossack hetmans and chieftains, the defenders of our holy land. Of Baida Vyshnevetskyi, Petro Sahaidachnyi, Petro Doroshenko, Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, Ivans-Bohun, Vyhovskyi, Mazepa. Of Pylyp Orlyk, Pavlo Skoropadskyi, Ivan Sirko, Yakym Bohush, Kostya Hordienko. Of famous Ukrainians: King Daniel, Constantine Ostrozkyi, Petro Mohyla, Taras Shevchenko, Lesya Ukrainka, Oleksa Dovbush, Hryhoriy Skovoroda, Mykhailo Hrushevskyi, and others.
We remember our lineage. We know about the glorious Cossackscharacternyks. We remember our ancestors – heroes, great Ukrainians. We will be worthy of you! We will multiply the glory of our lineage. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!
International project
«COSSACKCHARACTERNYK»
The goal of the project is to raise the topic of the heroes of the Cossacks-characternyks, to launch an information campaign to the point where children in kindergarten would want to be like a Cossackcharacternyk, and not like Batman, Superman, musketeers, etc.
Project elements: books, documentaries and feature films, video clips, computer and mobile games, cartoons, presentations, shows, charity events, and tourist routes, etc. An important part of the project is the Academy of Characternykhood «The Power of the Earth.»
Official website of the project www.kh.org.ua
Phone 066-977-64-04
During the first months of the war, Logos Educational Holding established shelters for refugees in five of its schools. Some people who we provided with safe stay and food behaved in a very strange way. They spent most of their time just staring at one spot, taking breaks only for sleeping and eating. When anyone tried to talk to them, they would complain about harsh conditions, lack of care and not enough empathy from the staff. The more attention and support they got, the more they nagged, blamed, and expressed discontent.
This went on until one day our staff member suggested that the residents of the shelter cook pancakes for the personnel. They bought pans, utensils, groceries and announced a contest for the most delicious pancakes from the best hostess. And, oh my! Resentments and lamentations suddenly disappeared. The shelter dwellers were looking forward to the end of the week to feed the hungry and tired teachers, and then sit up late with a cup of tea and heart-to-heart talks. And the story didn’t end with pancakes. Women cooked borscht, stuffed cabbage, dumplings, etc. Men did not stay aside either. They formed a brigade to prepare the premises for the new school year. Landscape designer tidied up the surrounding territories. And the professional poet dedicated several poems to the Logos team.
During the war years more than 4,500 internally displaced persons lived in our shelters in different time. Some of them needed a place to stay just for a few days, some stayed longer, and 50 people were even trained at our Staff Academy and now work as teachers, accountants and office managers in the friendly Logos team.
This story made us understand that for a person there is nothing more disgusting than becoming a victim obsessed with self-pity and seeking sympathy from others. In order to help anyone who was broken by life circumstances, in order to bring them back their self-respect and self-confidence, we need to force them to take responsibility for other people, to become helpful, to create something useful for those around.
Joseph Brodsky once wrote: “Avoid attributing the victim status to yourself. No matter how miserable your situation is, try not to blame external forces: history, state, bosses, race, parents, Moon phase, childhood, untimely potty training – this can be a long list. The moment you place the blame on something else, you undermine your own determination to make a change and increase the vacuum of irresponsibility that demons and demagogues are so fond of filling, for a paralyzed will is no joy for angels. All in all, try to respect life not only for its charms, but also for its difficulties. They are the part of the game, and the good thing about them is that they are not a deception. Whenever you are in despair or on the verge of despair, when you are in trouble or in need, remember: this is life taking to you the only language it knows well”.
For myself, I have come up with three principles on how not to become a victim under any circumstances, and not to attract people in victim status.
Principle One: “By their fruits you will know them” – Jesus, “Sermon on the Mount”. The measure of a person’s worth is their product, and nothing else. It doesn’t matter what he or she says or what others say about them. The only thing that matters is the result.
Hownot
tobecome avictim
Principle Two: “Do what must be done and let it be what it has to be” – Marcus Aurelius, Solomon, Leo Tolstoy. Do what your conscience tells you to do, strive for what you see your purpose in. Don’t divine, don’t calculate, don’t try to be liked. Your only judge is you. Trust yourself, don’t be afraid to be the white crow, don’t aspire to join the herd. And even if there is no chance for success, just keep doing your job.
Principle Three: “God is not a chump, he sees everything” – taken from jail jargon, but the concept is right. Everything in this life has a price. Hard work, effort applied, time spent. Sleepless nights, bitterness of defeat, disappointment, lack of rest and fun. But you can try to get around it, wriggle out of it or get ahead at the expense of somebody else.
In this case, you will still have to pay the price, but it will be quite different – loss of self-respect, loss of honor. The free choice of currency does not exempt you from paying the bills.
Evgeny Sotnikov Ukraine Kyiv
Alla Zadneprovskaya:
«Each of us is the leader of our own life, which we shape with our dreams, actions, and faith.»
«You are your actions –there is no other you.»
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Our life is a journey composed of countless big and small choices, made consciously or unconsciously, each of which determines the quality, meaning, and essence of that life. It is these choices that have shaped me and allowed me to enjoy my path while fulfilling my true purpose: awakening the inner passion in people and helping them find the strength to walk the path of their authentic, vibrant life.
The Choice
I have always followed the path of my heart and, once I chose a direction, I never turned away.
At certain moments, my choices were almost prophetic. For instance, my first encounter with the role of a coach, which later became my profession (today, my professional portfolio includes over 17,000 coaching hours, more than 510 top executives and first-tier leaders, well-known brands, and the first coaching school in Ukraine), happened when I was still in the fifth grade. Along with a friend, we decided to help so-called «troubled» teenagers who were officially registered with the police.
I saw in these kids rebels, just like myself. Education came easily to me (I graduated school with a gold medal), but my «behavior» wasn’t as smooth. I was rebellious – I disagreed with teachers, often argued with them, defended classmates, encouraged them to skip lessons, and organized boycotts and protests.
I could manage both academic success and standing up for myself, even going directly to the school principal if needed. So, do you think the principal approved our project?
LeadershipThat CreatesMeaning
No. In fact, he said, “I’m sure they’ll teach you bad things.” But my friend and I were excellent students and athletes – we trained professionally in handball in a specialized sports class. That’s why we didn’t use to give up easily. If official permission wasn’t granted, we would take an alternative route. We made our project extracurricular and still took on the mentorship of these «troubled» teens.
We approached them directly, saying: “We are ready to help you with your studies and whatever else you need. We see that people here treat you as if you’re ‘problematic’ or difficult, but we think that’s nonsense. You’re not difficult; you’re just like us. We’re here to help and support you.”
And you won’t believe it – every single one of them agreed! One hundred percent of the boys (there were no girls in the group back then) said «yes.»
You could say, “Well, of course they agreed; you were girls, and that influenced their decision…” I don’t care. It doesn’t matter why they agreed; what matters is that they believed in us and, most importantly, in themselves.
The results were incredible. This was my first manifestation of leadership and, as it turned out later, my first coaching experience. We listened to them, asked questions, spent time together. They improved their studies, and their lives turned
out well. Today, many of them are entrepreneurs, some are top managers. We succeeded. And that’s where, you could say, my coaching roots began.
And Then, Even More… ... (to be continued)
It was 2000s. I was 33 years old— successful and accomplished. I was a commercial director, the owner’s right hand, earning a good salary, with my own apartment, and spending vacations abroad. My monthly income was $2,000—a significant amount at the time, considering the average salary in Ukraine was 230 hryvnias, with an exchange rate of 5.5 hryvnias per dollar. A one-bedroom apartment could be bought for $10,000. With 13 years experience in business, my foundations were solid: status, money, respect, a deep understanding of business processes, and knowledge of how the business world operates. I was a wife and mother. And yet, I realized this wasn’t my path. I didn’t enjoy what I was doing, nor did I feel I was reaching my potential. I was meant for something else.
I made a drastic decision to change the way of my life. I left my position to become a salesperson at a training company, earning just $50 a month.
This was brutal—very brutal—for me.
I simply abandoned everything I had built over the years and entered the development field, which was virtually non-existent at the time. I had no idea what coaching was back then. But I was deeply interested in working with people, helping them, supporting them, and inspiring them to achieve great things.
That’s why I decided to take the risk—to leave behind my status, money, and expertise to start something entirely new.
But I had one key element: intention and direction. I wanted to help people become more aware, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically healthy, as well as successful and happy. That was my driving force. Why? Because I wanted to live among such people.
This vision aligned with my values—people, authenticity, love, service, and influence—and I realized that these values could fully manifest in this new path. I also understood that if I didn’t start at 33, it would become increasingly difficult to take the plunge with each passing year.
At the same time, I made another major life decision: to divorce and remarry. Like Baron Munchausen pulling himself out by his hair, I lifted myself up. Everything came together and aligned perfectly in my life.
A Challenging but Fascinating Time. Faith in myself, a sense of purpose, and the understanding that nothing is impossible helped me through this period. I believed we are only given tasks we are capable of accomplishing. Most importantly, the support of my loved ones—my husband and son—carried me through. Nearly a year and a half later, I founded my own company, Nordic, which I later rebranded as “Zhive Dilo” (Living Matter).
Another significant test for me and my business came in early 2009 when companies dramatically slashed their training budgets. Given that this was our core business area, we faced tough times.
Interestingly, in January 2009, our company won a European Union tender to conduct over ten business training sessions in Ukraine. There was a moment of panic in the office when we realized the training wouldn’t start until late February 2010.
My new husband calmly said, “Why are you worried? You have no choice but to survive!” We saw it as a sign—a good omen, a blessing—that our business was meant to thrive.
I love challenges and I embrace them because they help me become more self-aware and uncover new facets of my personality.
Throughout my life, I always choose what resonates with my heart. I never regret my decisions and fully embrace them because, at that moment, each decision is the best and only one possible.
Perhaps that’s why, when in 2022, a shell hit and nearly destroyed my
dream home in Bucha—a family sanctuary of happiness—I accepted it as a challenge and a sign to keep moving forward. Today, I’m rebuilding my life in my beloved Barcelona, where my family was when the devastating news reached us.
The beginning of Russian fullscale invasion and city bombings mobilized me to the fullest. I initiated two volunteer movements simultaneously: one for mutual support and urgent problem-solving to save lives, and the other professional—bringing together graduates of my coaching school, as well as Ukrainian coaches, psychologists, and psychotherapists, to provide mental, emotional, and psychological support to Ukrainians. I know that difficulties have been, are, and will continue to be part of life. But overcoming them is what makes me stronger—it tempers, develops, and transforms me for the better.
Leadership
A new era. New challenges. New concepts. New qualities. New leaders. Despite the ongoing bloody war, life goes on. Business, including Ukrainian businesses, is finding new opportunities for development, growth, and scaling.
For me, 2024 has been marked by resilience—the leader’s ability to maintain stability, common sense, productivity, and humanity despite any trials. It’s also about the capacity to swiftly find the most effective solutions for business growth under pressure. Most importantly, it’s about becoming the true heart of your team.
In spring I opened a women’s leadership forum with the theme “Quantum Leadership” and introduced my five principles of resilient and inspiring leadership.
Principle One: Inspiration Starts with the Leader
Throughout history, to “lit up” the team, leaders must first learn to “lit up” themselves. In the past, during peaceful and, as we now perceive them, relatively comfortable times, this idea could be overlooked. Today, during the war and total uncertainty,
the leader’s inspiration, confidence, and inner fire are paramount. In these critical times for businesses, teams scrutinize their leaders as if through a magnifying glass.
A leader’s qualities—ambition, perseverance, energy, confidence in their chosen path, courage, and decisiveness—are crucial for success. Equally vital is the ability to make risky decisions and take responsibility for the outcomes, not only for their own actions but also for their team’s, significantly increasing the level of risk.
Today, more than ever, a leader must engage their team in realizing their vision and “ignite” them with shared goals. This requires magnetic qualities: the ability to create a vision, live in alignment with values, embody humanity, sincerity, honesty, and faith—in oneself, one’s mission, and others.
Principle Two: Together with a Coach
Leaders operate under constant time pressure. Stress, environmental pressure, and other “joys” of modern life take a toll on the inner fire that inspires others. Here, a professional coach can provide vital support—a partner in achieving professional and personal goals, a like-minded ally in navigating change, a trainer for communication and life skills, a mirror, and a motivator when decisive action is needed. A coach is also unconditional support in moments of crisis, a partner in creating outstanding projects, and a beacon during storms. And we can continue this list…
I, myself—a coach, mentor, business owner, and trainer of coaches—regularly collaborate with other coaches. Why? Because I’m a human too. I need support, a fresh perspective, and the ability to achieve more and do meaningful work at a higher quality.
Principle Three: Relying on the Team Team interaction and synergy have become vital. No matter how
creative, strong, or energetic a leader is, they cannot manage the entire list of urgent tasks alone. They might succeed, but likely not within their deadline.
Thus, the concept of building a team as one of the most challenging yet promising organizational structures becomes crucial. As I’ve mentioned before, with synergy, 1+1 becomes significantly greater than 2, even more than 11. This synergistic effect of teamwork provides companies with a competitive edge.
This explains the growing interest in coaching within management. Coaching aligns with today’s business needs, enabling employees to self-motivate, develop, find optimal solutions for company goals, and take ownership of their implementation. Employee awareness is the key to organizational success today.
Principle Four: Maintaining Balance
The war has forever divided life into “before” and “after.” While Ukrainians and the global community work tirelessly towards victory—a goal that I strongly believe in —even post-victory, our lives will remain in the “after-war” phase. This comes with all the consequences of this immense challenge for each of us, for our beloved Ukraine, and for the world at large.
Currently, there is a crisis of internal paradigms not only among top leaders but across much of Ukraine’s population. The perception of reality has shifted. Business owners, executives, and top managers are seriously reflecting: Who am I? Where am I headed? Why? For what and for whom? What do I truly want?
They no longer wish to engage in work that doesn’t resonate or provide the returns they deserve. In this turbulence, one might think that top leaders would cling to their positions given the high turnover rates among executives today—but no. They are inspired not just by achieving success but also by the journey toward it.
Ninety percent of the requests I
receive from top leaders as a coach start with business challenges but ultimately evolve into programs focused on life balance.
Principle Five: Being the Heart
Today’s leaders not only create innovative environments, encourage initiative, and implement opportunities for growth. Inspired leaders create magnets for attracting true talent—not merely employees looking for jobs. A leader today is someone who “owns” the minds and hearts of their people. It’s no longer enough to be the brain and engine; a leader must also become the heart of their team and community.
As Henry Adams accurately said: «If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.»
In my view, in today’s fast-paced world, leadership is one of the most relevant yet ambiguous topics. Hundreds of thousands of books have been written on it, yet so-called “experts” on leadership still debate whether leaders are born or made.
I assert that both are true.
To me, every person is the leader of their own life, especially today. Each person is both the author of the script and the director and cast of actors. The quality of the performance, titled “My Life,” depends entirely on their leadership qualities.
Life today demands these qualities, leaving each individual with a choice: to be the leader of their life— or not.
Instead of an Epilogue
A leader is someone who guides people to a better place.
In times of great changes, the role of the individual becomes critical.
It is the decisions of those who are ready to take responsibility at defining moments—choosing a direction for development and progress—that matters the most. On a global scale, the future of humanity, our children, and grandchildren depends on those willing not only to drive change but also to care for and take maximum responsibility for our planet, Earth.
The world keeps moving, and
change is inevitable. Nothing can be preserved or brought back. We need to build resilience, overcome the fear of the new, and respond flexibly to change.
By developing emotional and adaptive intelligence and enhancing our adaptability, we increase our resilience.
After all, the word «crisis,» as is well known, is represented in Chinese by two characters: one means danger, the other—opportunity.
Leadership is responsibility multiplied by serving others.
Some qualities may be more pronounced than others, but a leader can face reality, acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses, and amplify themselves through the strengths of their followers.
My approach is learning through life, leveraging every situation, especially failures, setbacks, stagnation, crises, and more.
My principle: everything happens for me and because of me.
My inner calling is to scale freedom and happiness on Earth. That’s why my goal is to inspire 1 million people to embrace coaching, ultimately impacting 1 billion lives.
That’s why I have been teaching coaching for over 10 years, reaching nearly half a million people with this powerful methodology.
We cannot change the world, but
we can learn to be effective in a world of constant change. The key is to choose with your heart and act with your mind, relying on your values, believing in what you do, and loving what you believe in. I have long been convinced that happiness is not in the result; happiness is found along the way.
P.S. The SENS(meaning – in Ukrainian) (SERS) leadership model that I have created for a presentation at one of the forums this fall. It helps highlight the qualities and skills a leader needs to move forward.
Leadership Model SERS: Strategy, Energy, Reliability, Service.
Strategy
Without knowing why and where to move, we do not truly live.
A leader needs to possess and develop the following qualities and skills:
• Vision for the future
• Purposefulness
• Systematic thinking
• Structure
• Innovation Energy
The level of energy determines the level of leadership.
A leader needs to possess and develop the following qualities and skills:
• Resourcefulness
• Self-care
• Peace of mind
• Inspiration and enthusiasm
• Awareness
• Emotional intelligence (EQ)
• Motivation
Reliability
By allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and authentic, we become reliable.
A leader needs to possess and develop the following qualities and skills:
• Healthy self-esteem
• Adaptability
• Flexibility
• Growth of mindset
• Optimism
• Resilience Service
As we grow, we take more, but eventually, we feel the desire to give back.
A leader needs to possess and develop the following qualities and skills:
• Ethics and integrity
• Honesty
• Responsibility
• Tolerance
• Courtesy
• Humanity
• The ability to build meaningful relationships
• Teamwork
With fire in the heart, love in the soul, a reliable circle of close people, and an almost army of coaching graduates from the coaching school, I find the strength to make the impossible possible.
If we don’t act, we don’t live.
Dream big, believe in yourself and the Universe, trust people.
Live a vibrant life.
Remember, there are no good or bad people. People are different. Take action.
Get up when you fall and keep going.
Always act with love.
And be the leader of your own life.
Spain Barcelona
Canthisbechanged
My name is Margarita Sotnikova, and I lead an international company called «Planeta». Our slogan embodies our mission: helping people transform their lives for the better. In this article, I’ll share a few inspiring stories from our clients.
Over the past 15 years, tens of thousands of people from 28 countries have participated in our programs. Each story is unique—some resolved business challenges, while others restored harmony in their families. Every story touches me deeply, and I per-
sonally know many of the most remarkable ones.
One story, in particular, stands out. It’s impossible not to feel the impact of this profound transformation—a change that quite literally turned one man’s life around.
He was a successful entrepreneur
and the owner of a thriving business, but one act of betrayal destroyed everything. His trusted partners— those he had worked alongside for years—deceived him, leaving him with nothing. Overnight, he lost it all: his business, his income, and his stability. All he had left were memories of his once-prosperous life.
His reality became much more modest. He slept on friends’ floors and carried just two metro tokens in his pocket—enough to get to and from our office in Kyiv. Every morning, he woke up with a single goal: to survive and rebuild even a fragment of his former life.
That’s when he decided to trust us and enrolled in “Life Repair”—a program designed to restore inner strength and find new stability. It wasn’t easy at first. His self-belief was shattered, his hope barely flickered, and each day felt like a relentless struggle. But step by step, with every session, he began to notice changes.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight, but when it did, it was profound. He let go of his disappointments and grievances, regained his confidence, and rediscovered his life’s energy. Opportunities began to appear. Starting small but with determination, he rebuilt his path.
Today, this man owns a network of successful showrooms. He lives in Italy, runs his business, and enjoys the life he rebuilt from scratch. Whenever we speak, he thanks us for what he calls life-saving help. But we know the true hero of this story is him. We simply helped him rediscover his incredible potential.
This story is about overcoming deep crises and finding renewal. It’s
a reminder that even when it feels like everything is lost, the strength for a new chapter lies within us.
We’re not a consulting company that builds businesses. What we do is help people rebuild confidence in themselves, and they take care of the rest.
Another unforgettable story involves a married couple in their forties who had been dreaming of having a child for years. For 13 years, they tried everything—medical tests, countless consultations, and various treatments—but each attempt ended in disappointment. The miracle they longed for seemed impossible.
In their desperation and on the verge of giving up, they turned to us—not for medical help, but to try something new: our “Life Repair” program.
Their journey began with selfwork. They addressed internal barriers, resolved old grievances, and let go of years of accumulated stress. We helped them restore harmony in their relationship, find inner peace, and regain confidence. By releasing the fears that had held them back, they discovered new sources of joy.
Just months after completing the program, the unexpected happened—they learned they were expecting a child! The news was like a ray of light after years of darkness. The birth of their baby was a true miracle that we celebrated with them. I had the honor of attending their son’s christening, one of the most touching moments of my life.
This story is not just about the joy of parenthood—it’s about how internal work can free us from the burdens of the past and open the door to miracles. We’re not a medical center, but sometimes life offers gifts that go beyond explanation.
Another story worth sharing is about a married couple on the verge of divorce. Their relationship seemed beyond repair: constant arguments, misunderstandings, and disappointments had taken over their lives. Each of them was ready to walk away, convinced the love they once shared was gone forever.
When they came to us, their hope wasn’t for a miracle—it was for clarity. They wanted to understand what went wrong and, perhaps, part ways on better terms. From the outset, we made it clear: we’re not psychologists, and we don’t treat psychological traumas. Our role is to help people view their challenges from a fresh perspective and identify the root causes of their discord. From there, the rest happens naturally.
From the very first sessions, we guided them to communicate in a new way. They learned how to truly listen to each other—not to react, but to understand. Over time, they uncovered the unresolved issues that had built up over years, creating a chasm between them.
Step by step, as they let go of unspoken grievances, their relationship began to transform. Gradually, they didn’t just salvage their marriage—they made it stronger than ever. They found the strength to rediscover each other on a deeper level, rebuilding their bond with trust and respect.
Today, this couple lives in harmony. Each time they reflect on their journey, they express gratitude for the opportunity to heal. Their story is proof that sometimes, saving a relationship is as simple as identifying the real source of conflict and allowing love to flourish again.
We’re not psychologists diving into childhood traumas or unravel-
ing the past. We’re a community that helps people find new paths, restore balance, and regain the confidence to move forward—leaving the past behind.
We live in a world flooded with information, where it’s easy to feel lost and unsure of the way forward. Much of this noise is just opinion— unsuitable as a foundation for a reliable, universal methodology. True effectiveness comes from laws—unshakable principles that apply in every situation.
Take the law of gravity: drop a pen, and it falls. It works every time. The same is true in life. When we ignore fundamental laws, we end up relying on quick fixes—a patchwork of unstable solutions that inevitably collapses.
The “Life Repair” program brings people back to a foundation built on these laws. It helps them discard false beliefs—whether from socalled “authorities,” outdated education, or deep-seated prejudices—and empowers them to solve their problems.
The program begins with the Oxford Personality Analysis Test (http://www.planeta8d.com/test), which evaluates key traits such as communication skills, responsibility, activity, and perseverance. We also take into account each individual’s personal story and challenges to gain a full understanding of their situation. Based on this, we create a customized program tailored to their needs, which they work through with the guidance of a specialist. I look forward to welcoming you. Feel free to reach out at +1 (786) 3538805.
I am waiting for you to visit: +1 (786) 353-8805 Florida Miami
There are two types of motivation that drive immigrants to leave their home country. The first is the “Away from” motivation (escaping something negative), and the second is the “Toward” motivation (striving for a dream). My immigrant journey began with an “Away from” motivation.
ThreeLivesinOne:MyJourney fromPolandtoItaly
In the late 2000s, I went through a series of losses: I lost my job, my home, and my marriage. Justice was not served, and I was left in despair. At that point, I realized my only way forward was to start over in a new country. That’s how I found myself in Poland.
Rebuilding My Life from Scratch
Moving to Poland was my first step toward rebuilding my life. I had to rediscover who I was, redefine my identity, and find a new professional path. Previously, I had worked as a real estate agent, but in Poland, I transitioned into export management. Through hard work and persistence, I built a home, created a new social circle, made friends, and started a family.
During ten years, I had gone through all the stages of immigrant adaptation, from frustration to reaching a zone of comfort. Poland became my second home, but I knew it wasn’t the country of my dreams. My heart longed for Italy.
Falling in Love with Italy
My first trip to Italy left an indelible mark on my soul. The beauty of the country captivated me from the moment I arrived: the picturesque coastlines, majestic archi-
tecture, exquisite cuisine, and the Italians’ zest for life. What struck me the most was Italy’s unique atmosphere. It’s hard to put into words, but life here feels different – slower, richer, and more meaningful. The Italian way of savoring life, paying attention to small details, and finding harmony in everything, from art to daily routines, deeply resonated with me.
This passion ignited a new “Toward” motivation. I knew that Italy was the place where I wanted to live, dream, and build my future.
A New Beginning in Italy
Four years ago, I moved to Italy, leaving behind my comfort zone in Poland. It wasn’t an easy decision – I left behind a stable career, an established social circle, and a well-organized life. But I was determined to fulfill three of my biggest dreams:
1. To live by the sea.
2. To have a child.
3. To start a career in coaching. Now, looking back, I can say it was worth every sacrifice. Over these four years, I’ve built a new life from scratch yet again.
My Path in Coaching
For the past three years, I’ve been working as a professional coach. My clients come to me with a variety of goals: adapting to a new country, career growth, finding their purpose, changing professions, preparing for par-
enthood, and achieving work-life balance.
My mission is to help them gain confidence, overcome life’s crises, and achieve their goals without burnout or self-doubt. I work in five languages – Ukrainian, Russian, English, Italian, and Polish – and support clients from diverse backgrounds.
Three Lives in One
Reflecting on my journey, I feel as though I’ve lived three separate lives: one in my home country, one in Poland, and now one in Italy. Each chapter has brought its own challenges, achievements, and lessons.
For those of you who are also immigrants: do you feel like your life is divided into distinct chapters? And how are you creating the conditions for your goals and dreams to come true, even in a foreign land?
Be brave, keep moving forward, and may every new page of your life story be filled with meaning and joy.
Author: Oksana Vyhorii Italy
Ukrainiannewones technologies
Denys Krasnikov addressed a gap in current AI-driven translation technologies, which are primarily limited to content where emotional nuance is less critical.
His new AI-powered solution does more than just translate phrases—it also analyzes intonations, identifies on-screen emotions, and compiles this data into a new database to synthesize emotions in different languages with additional parameters.
This enables emotionally accurate translations that preserve the creator’s intent, making content more coherent and engaging across cultural differences.
«Emotions are experienced differently across cultures and generations, so capturing and conveying these feelings is essential for authentic storytelling. Moreover, emotional expression is not a fixed trait but a dynamic pattern
that varies across countries,» said Denys Krasnikov.
«Our technology allows translated content to deeply resonate with diverse audiences worldwide, reflecting different emotional interpretations. In the near future, AI-localized films will become even more immersive than the best human-actor translations available today.»
After the SMPTE Summit, Denys Krasnikov presented demonstrations of emotionally translated videos, highlighting the scalability of the technology across different languages.
This new solution builds upon the previous achievements of the team led by Alexander Konovalov, Yevgeny von Rubinberg, and Denys Krasnikov, including Vidby, an AI-powered video localization tool recognized as a YouTube-recommended technology for
Last week, Google Cloud Innovator and responsible AI technology researcher Denys Krasnikov presented a new AIpowered technological solution at the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) Summit. This innovation introduces a unique approach to video translation and dubbing, prioritizing emotional accuracy to ensure a more culturally adaptive and immersive viewing experience.
The presentation took place at the SMPTE Summit, the premier annual event for the Hollywood media industry, organized by SMPTE, the world’s leading standards organization. SMPTE plays a crucial role in developing technical approaches that ensure consistency, quality, and innovation in film, television, and digital media, shaping Hollywood’s adaptation to advancements such as artificial intelligence.
multilingual audio tracks, as well as a real-time voice translation solution for Google Meet and Zoom calls.
Beyond his scientific and business accomplishments, Denys Krasnikov announced a humanitarian initiative at the Star Independent Film Festival, an event organized by renowned Miamibased event producer Olena Yaremchuk.
This initiative offers free real-time translation services on Google Meet and Zoom to nonprofit organizations supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, showcasing the team’s commitment to addressing some of the most pressing global challenges today.
California Los Angeles
Thementalreset
Have you ever stopped wondering how much energy you gain during sleep, how much you spend throughout the day, and why it never seems enough to feel truly alive? Or why do some people manifest their desires with the ease of magicians while others exhaust themselves trying, only to get nowhere?
Welcome to the “Bright Mind” column – a space for those tired of simmering in the endless stew of worries, doubts, and scattered desires. My name is Julia Nicole Bright, and in this column, I’ll be sharing my experience as an energy practitioner, alongside insights from mental health research. Together, we’ll explore paths to deliberate joy, strengthened self-belief, and the understanding that positive thinking isn’t just abstract philosophy but a tangible key to well-being, success, vitality, confidence – and yes, happiness. Let’s uncover the uncharted dimensions of your potential because life’s true brightness doesn’t happen by accident – it’s cultivated with intention and practice.
The world today feels like a relentless race for success. We’ve become unwitting participants in a marathon to prove our worth, scale career ladders faster, and shine louder on social media. Smartphone screens flicker incessantly with others’ achievements, bombarding us with success stories, triumphant photos, and motivational
quotes: “Do more! Be better! Be more interesting!” But what happens when our energy runs dry, and the demand for “more” becomes the abyss of “I can’t anymore”, in front of which you find yourself and are terrified to think about the future? In this ceaseless hustle, we lose sight of what truly matters – the joy of authentic moments, inner harmony, and the energy that makes us feel truly alive. Often, we blame our fatigue on workload or lack of sleep, thinking a little rest will solve everything. But the truth is much deeper and far sneakier: we underestimate how much of our energy is being «unauthorizedly» drained.
This article alone can’t capture the full scope of the issue, of course. Besides, I do not want to reduce a huge layer of my valuable acquaintances to a list of solutions in the style of a short glam hit parade of ideas “10 Tips to Escape the Rat Race and Achieve Instant Well-being.”
First of all, I would like to give you some time to reflect a little on your current reality: What does it look like? What do you treasure most about it? What would you amplify? And what would you let go of forever? The more honest and detailed your reflections, the better you’ll position yourself to transform. This is where it all begins – when you decide to step off the hamster wheel and start something intentional. And secondly, let me also give
Do More! Do Better! Be More Interesting! But the real question is… to whom do you owe this debt?
you a little spoiler: solving your problems might not be as insurmountable as you think. Take it from someone who’s not only endured immense challenges, including clinical death, but who also rebuilt their life from absolute zero, finding stability, financial success, and healing from critical diagnoses along the way.
Take some time to contemplate this idea. Scan your reality dispassionately and without self-pity. Then picture yourself standing before an epic door. Beyond it lies a radiant light – powerful energy of our Universe that could reshape your life into something extraordinary, if only you learn how to work with it.
Your thoughts are the baby steps of awareness. They are your starting point, your place to pause, exhale, and embrace your authentic self. Choosing to step off the wheel isn’t surrender, it’s an art form. Choose yourself every day. But not through the lens of ego, but through the wisdom of unconditional love for your soul, which came into this world to experience life’s richness not just by fulfilling its desires, but through serving others too.
So, shall we press “reset” on your reality? Are you in?
Julia Nicole Bright Integrative Psychology Practitioner, Energy Practitioner, Researcher JuliaBright.TBC@gmail.com Tennessee
Thewaytothedream
My name is Maryana, I’m 33 years old, and I live in Dnipro, Ukraine. I’m a happy wife, the mother of a four-year-old son, and a person who has found herself in her favorite work. My hobby is videography, and it’s more than just a pastime. It’s a source of inspiration, joy, and, importantly, income.
I started creating photo projects with a deep meaning — the love of a woman for herself. For me, it’s more than just beautiful pictures. It’s an opportunity to help women rediscover their femininity, feel beautiful, special, and valued again.
In my experience, a single photo session can transform how a woman sees herself, awakening her inner strength and softness. I like to say that a photo session is like a visit to a psychologist. Through imagery, lighting, and details, you can not only see your beauty but also connect with your soul and true self.
Each of my projects is an invitation for women to remember how important it is to love and accept themselves, find harmony, and allow themselves to become the person they dream of being.
Currently, I am working on several projects related to human health — both physical and mental. For me, this is an incredible experience because my work allows me to be part of something bigger. Even just filming videos on these topics, I feel like I’m contributing to improving people’s lives. This motivates me to grow and develop in my profession.
In addition, for the past five years, I have been a partner with Incruises. This is more than a business — it’s an opportunity to travel the world, discover new horizons, and meet
like-minded people. Over the past two years, I’ve been on seven cruises, all of which were paid for by the company.
I believe that traveling is essential, even in such challenging times as we’re facing now in Ukraine. It’s not just about seeing the world — it’s a real reset, a way to regain strength, inspiration, and faith in life. We can’t put life on hold because none of us knows how much of that “later” we actually have. That’s why I choose to live fully, enjoy the moments, and explore new places and experiences. I travel a lot and never deny myself this joy because it helps me maintain balance and find stability, even in the hardest times. I genuinely want people who are emotionally unstable right now to allow themselves to
switch off, exhale, and simply give themselves a bit of joy.
Traveling is not a luxury; it’s selfcare. Even a small trip can be the moment when you truly feel alive. That’s why I encourage those living in Ukraine not to fear opening up to the world. It’s not an escape from reality; it’s a way to recharge and return to life with new emotions and resources. Allow yourself this, and you’ll see how your inner state transforms.
If you dream of traveling the world and doing it affordably, I’ll be happy to guide you. I’ll explain how you can start saving on travel and even build a successful business with this unique company.
Everything begins with the desire to change your life. Message me, and I’ll help you take your first step!
Ukraine Dnipro
Downshifting:SexualFantasy orResetButton?
Downshifting is like a sexual fantasy—dependent on the breadth of your imagination. Often, it feels much grander in your mind than in real life, delivering more vibrant emotions in your head than the sensations it provides after being lived out.
People embrace downshifting for various reasons. Some feel they’ve accomplished everything and want to dedicate the rest of their lives to themselves, free from societal conventions. Others are simply exhausted and crave a breather, far from the relentless race society imposes daily. A third group discovers a new dimension, realizing the impermanence of things and redirecting their focus toward a unique journey of self-discovery. The fourth group realizes that life doesn’t require much, choosing to live minimally to preserve the planet by shedding the excesses of modern civilization. Lastly, there are those who have found their dream location but see downshifting as the only way to live there permanently.
Of course, there are sixth, seventh, and even eighth types of downshifters, but they’re less common. This story, however, isn’t about them.
It’s about me—or rather, my experience.
I found myself to be a non-systemic, classificationdefying downshifter-dreamer. My reasons for escaping civilization lay somewhere in the middle of the downshifting decision-making spectrum. Later, analyzing my journey, I realized there was some logic to my behavior.
Under the influence of spiritual practices or perhaps good karma, I simultaneously recognized the futility of chasing society-imposed goals that didn’t bring me happiness. I felt an intense desire to abandon harmful, ecologically damaging attributes of “successful living” and began searching for my true self.
In practical terms, this manifested in simple and, at first glance, perhaps foolish decisions:
- I resigned from a well-paying position as CEO of a large company where I spent most of my time on tasks that didn’t bring me joy.
- I gave up my expensive car, knowing its emissions
undermined the hope of a healthy environment for my children.
- I stopped splurging on trendy gadgets and obsessing over overpriced designer clothes.
- I started focusing more on spiritual practices and found joy in business consulting, helping businesses and people transform their lives.
I was born in Kharkiv, a city at the confluence of two rivers that, by my birth, had been reduced to polluted streams by local industries. Perhaps my childhood memories of these “stinky rivers” sparked my yearning to live by the sea.
When my family and I first visited Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, I felt I had found my dream. Eternal summer, great ecology, and an almost perfect climate—it was paradise.
I realized we toil all year just to spend a few weeks in
places like this, only to return to the grind and repeat the cycle. So, I decided to break the loop and move to paradise permanently. And we did.
Being a creative person, I let my well-developed imagination run wild, painting vivid pictures of our carefree Canary life: morning runs along the ocean with daily swims, surfing, hiking, yachting, fishing, meditating, and yoga on the beach.
Realistically, I knew I needed purpose and bought a stake in a real estate group, preparing for new sensations.
There were family walks with our dogs along the Atlantic coast after morning meditations. There were ocean swims and tennis sessions. We had breakfasts in our garden year-round, enjoying smoothies made from local mangoes or avocados and yogurt topped with passion fruit from our own yard. Evening traditions included tea on the terrace with oolong bouquets and tropical frangipani we planted ourselves.
Life on the island was wonderful. Our garden bloomed with colors year-round—roses, African daisies, limes, oranges, and more. The local market was a vegetarian’s paradise, offering eco-friendly, fresh produce all year long. The people were cheerful and laid-back, though their “tranquilo & mañana” approach to life required adjustment.
My office was by the ocean, a five-minute scooter ride from home. I traded expensive business suits for shorts, T-shirts, and sneakers. And I was happy.
My occasional social media posts reassured me I had made the right decision. But deep inside, a feeling of unfulfilled purpose began to grow. My daily spiritual practices only fueled it.
It became clear that my previous life and business experience weren’t meant to be shelved. I realized I wasn’t ready to hang up my sword and surrender. I craved meaningful challenges, and I decided to return.
Living on the island changed me profoundly. I had harmonized with myself and learned not to lose that balance in life’s hustle. I stopped caring about others’ opinions, continued avoiding luxury cars, embraced ecofriendly transport (except planes), and became intentional about decluttering my life.
Most importantly, downshifting and reflecting on my journey led me to Mind Fu, a concept of conscious management. This approach transforms how businesses operate, making them more efficient and their people happier.
After all, isn’t that what we live for—to be happy?
When I first started, I was struck by how overwhelmed entrepreneurs were. They spend time on details that bring no strategic value. Why handle routine tasks if you can entrust them to someone who will do them faster, more efficiently, and with better quality? Once, one of my clients, a New York entrepreneur, admitted: “I hired you to offload my workload, but I got so much more. You’re not just an assistant; you’re my right hand.” This phrase perfectly describes what we do. We delve deep into businesses, becoming part of the team, and sometimes even its critical link.
One of the biggest challenges when working with clients from different countries is culture. Americans are used to speed. They want tasks solved “here and now.” Europeans prefer long-term strategies and sustainability. Asian entrepreneurs pay special attention to details that might seem insignificant. My job is not only to account for these differences but also to work in a way that makes cli-
The millennial generation is not just another group replacing the millennials. These are people who grew up in the context of globalization, high speed, and endless change. We have learned to adapt faster than ever before. We live in a world where artificial intelligence is a tool, not a replacement. Where borders between countries disappear, and work becomes an integral part of life. Personal assistants of the millennial generation are not just helpers. They are strategic partners who know how to work with modern business.
ents feel comfortable. It’s not always easy, but that’s the art of being a personal assistant.
Working with clients from Miami, Seattle, New York, Sacramento, Pennsylvania, and Washington, I cover four U.S. time zones. But my day doesn’t end there: my list also includes Frankfurt, Kyiv, Paris, and Singapore, adding four more time zones. Altogether, eight time zones, sometimes more, considering seasonal clock changes. To stay effective under such conditions, I plan each day in advance. For example, early in the morning, I work with European clients, in the afternoon — with the U.S. East Coast, and in the evening finish tasks for Singapore or the West Coast. At the same time, I make room for personal life, even if it means starting my day at 6 AM and ending it at 1 AM. I’ve learned not only to manage tasks but also to maintain energy levels to remain at peak productivity throughout the day.
Recently, one of my clients asked me to organize the hiring process for his startup. Instead of simply posting job ads, I delved into the specifics of his business, understood the corporate culture, and proposed a strategy to find specialists who not only had the necessary skills but also shared
the company’s values. We conducted several rounds of interviews, including test assignments, and ultimately built a team that started delivering results within the first month. This example shows that an assistant is not just an executor but someone who helps a business achieve its goals.
We live in an era where artificial intelligence can automate hundreds of processes, but it cannot replace humans. An algorithm won’t sense when a client needs more than just a completed task. It won’t hear fatigue in a voice or offer inspiration when needed. I am convinced that the main strength of a personal assistant is human qualities. These are empathy, responsibility, and the ability to be there when it’s most needed.
Today, managing a business no longer requires huge offices and hundreds of employees. One of my clients, a clothing brand owner, works without an office. His entire team is distributed across different countries, and I coordinate everything from my apartment. This is a new work format that is becoming the norm. We hold regular meetings, use cloud platforms, and manage tasks through messengers. And most importantly, we create the feeling that the team is in one place, even when it’s not.
The millennial generation breaks stereotypes. We show that success does not depend on where you are. The main thing is flexibility, responsibility, and the ability to take the initiative. I know that my work changes lives. Not only for my clients but also for their employees, families, and partners. This is a huge responsibility, but also immense satisfaction.
A personal assistant of the millennial generation is not just someone who performs tasks. It is someone who helps a business grow, solves problems, and becomes a person you can rely on. We don’t just work. We build a new world where trust and humanity are the main values.
Ukraine Kyiv
StudyinginLondon
Why did I choose this specialty to get an education in the UK? Who influenced the choice and how?
My choice was made many years ago here in Ukraine, my first and main specialty is a lawyer, obtained at the National Law University named after Yaroslav Mudriy (National Law Academy), Kharkiv, Ukraine. Since 2003, my professional path as a lawyer began to support corporate financial transactions and subsequently represent the interests of the employers in judicial bodies. One of the impetuses for receiving a second (new) education, based on the general system of English or US law system arose in me during the period of cooperation with European banks within the support of large corporate transactions. While I was choosing a country of study, the main choice was made because of the UK location is close to Ukraine. At the same time, not the least role was played my childhood dream to receive an education in London, because I do remember the phrase from school «London is the capital of Great Britain» was engraved in my memory.
Why did you choose this particular university? Who influenced the choice and how?
My choice was stopped at BPP University, Law School and the Graduate Diploma in Law program, honestly, on the advice of an educational agency in Kyiv, which took into account my wish - a quick transformation of my Ukrainian diploma of «lawyer», taking into account
the existing work experience in Ukraine - this is called «professional/experienced student» - into a similar diploma in England and Wales. At the same time, before that I read a lot of information about universities in the UK and the USA, in particular the conditions for entering these universities. The preparatory period takes quite a lot of time, so my advice to everyone who is thinking about obtaining higher education abroad is to do it as early as possible - immediately after graduating from school in Ukraine, or immediately after graduating from a university in Ukraine, or as a 3-4th year student. At the same time, I advise you at first take preparatory courses offered by various colleges or universities - since the education system and approaches to it, for example, in England, are significantly different from Ukraine. And it will also help you better survive the adaptation period - because no matter how much you know English, it is not your native language. In addition, the so-called «culture shock» is a country with its own traditions, customs and unspoken rules that you will encounter in the first 3 months of permanent residence.
How many years have you been in England? Your story?
I moved to London in September 2016, before the begining of my main studies at the university. Since my university did not provide a dormitory/college for living like other universities, and my desire to live in a separate apartment also played a role - that’s exactly what hap-
pened. I will briefly talk about finding housing - for me it was quite easy, because before moving I already knew London well and imagined where I wanted to live and how much it would cost. You can rent housing in England only through a real estate agency. For example, I looked at my apartment online via Skype. The general rental conditions are as follows: You pay a 2-month payment/ deposit for an apartment/room, agency services - from 10 percent of the cost of monthly rent for an apartment/ room, plus additional costs for paying for utilities, which can be included in the rent or paid by you independently based on meter readings. There is a nuance with paying local tax «council tax» - a mandatory tax on real estate when renting, which you as a student do not have to pay, so pay attention to the terms of the contract that you do not pay it, and this is the owner’s/agency’s obligation. Otherwise, there may be surprises in a year in the form of an invoice for payment of this tax.
My plans after graduation? Where would you like to work? (country, industry, company)
To obtain a full legal education in England and Wales, before obtaining a license - inclusion in a special register of lawyers – it’s needed 2 years of special «work-out» in a law firm - it is called here «Training Contract». Obtaining a license was the main goal, with the subsequent possibility of working in this legal system - England.
Differences between English and Ukrainian education; reality of a British university from expectations
English education begins at school, where its foundations are actually laid, so when entering higher education institutions, British students have a complete idea of what awaits them at university. For our students, this is a complete surprise, because in Ukraine, even with the reform of the education system, our system is significantly
different from European or English universities. For example, in Ukraine, studies are quite long - instead of 3 years, as is customary throughout the world, our students continue to study for 4 or 5 years to become a specialist in a certain field. The following awaits you, so get ready to learn everything at once: complete independence in learning, a fairly large amount of material for mandatory reading, skills in preparing and presenting yourself and your project/work, a special approach to writing «term» papers - research, without using other people’s thoughts and phrases (plagiarism), which is taken very seriously, up to and including expulsion from the university, mandatory preparation for practical classes.
How did studying in the UK in general and at a British university in particular affect you? What traditions, manners, preferences did you learn?
Since I am a fairly mature person and this is not my first visit to this country and city, I will not say that studying itself had a strong impact on me. However, I believe that a person learns all his life, so living in England, I learned to present myself better, since in Ukraine they do not teach this at all; to combine completely different areas of my life; acquired a new hobby and habit of playing any active sport with friends every week, starting with tennis and running. Trying to understand football (I don’t really like it at all), but this is part of the British mentality)
If you really want to learn something, and it is not necessarily just new subjects at university or improving an already chosen specialty, you will definitely find it in the UK. And also make a lot of friends and acquaintances from all over the world, so go ahead and you won’t regret it!
PS. This article was written after my arrival from London and at the request of the agency, which asked to share my practical experience. As of today, I have made some adjustments taking into account the time that has passed since the article and the subsequent experience gained.
I returned to Ukraine (why this happened is a question for another discussion) and received an work offer from the largest financial organization, where I worked for more than 5 years, gaining a vast experience in various courts of foreign jurisdictions
Author Yevgenia Smirnova England London
Stolen Ukrainian Childhood
But on February 24, 2022, our reality shattered. At exactly 5:30 a.m., we woke up to alarming sounds — the war had begun. At first, it felt like a nightmare: explosions in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol. Soon, those loud sounds reached Dnipro. Our house was filled with panic. We tried not to show our fear to one another, but I could see the worry in my parents’ eyes. The news was all the same: the war was taking over cities and towns, people were fleeing their homes, seeking shelter.
The first days were the hardest. We stayed inside with the curtains closed, listening to the news and waiting. Nights were especially terrifying — every sound felt like a threat. School was canceled, and our teachers contacted us by phone, but studying was no longer a priority. The most important thing was figuring out what to do next.
When suspicions of a possible
attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant arose, my parents decided we had to leave. We packed in a hurry: documents, a few clothes, photos — only what we could carry. We left for the village of Luhy in western Ukraine, where we had a summer house. It was calmer there, but the sense of safety never fully returned. We knew the war was close, and it was only a matter of time before it caught up with us again.
In Luhy, I missed my home and my friends, who suddenly seemed so far away. We tried to stay together as a family, but the feeling of loss and uncertainty followed us every day. After several months, my parents decided to return to Dnipro, hoping that things had improved. But the war didn’t leave. The constant tension, news of new destruction and losses made life unbearable.
When we heard about the “U4U” program, which allowed refugees
My life in Novooleksandrivka before the war was filled with warmth and comfort. We lived in a private house with my family, where every morning started with the smell of my mom’s pancakes, and evenings ended with quiet family conversations. We had neighbors we had known all our lives, friends with whom we shared joys and troubles. Sixth grade was in full swing: lessons, tests, and plans for summer vacations. Everything felt so familiar and safe.
to move to the USA, it felt like our only chance for a future. We knew that returning to Ukraine would be difficult, if not impossible. We understood that even if we returned, nothing would be the same. Most of our friends and relatives had moved to other countries, and we might never see them again. Those who stayed were living in a new reality, where old habits and joys no longer mattered.
Miami welcomed us with bright sunshine and a new life. Everything seemed foreign: the language, the culture, even the food. I am just starting to learn English, and the first days were tough. I couldn’t express my thoughts and felt disconnected from the world. But with the support of my family and local volunteers, we began to adjust. Two years later, I understand the language better, although it’s still hard at times. I miss my home, my friends, and those days when life was simple and happy. Miami has become our new home, but my heart will always belong to Ukraine, even though it has changed forever.
Arina Kuchyna Florida Miami
According to a recent study by the American agency MarketingCharts, 77% of movie lovers prefer watching films at home (with 38% of respondents exclusively choosing online viewing and 39% partially preferring it). Only 6% of those surveyed stated that they strictly prefer theaters for watching new films.
The shift toward prioritizing online viewing was clearly recognized 10 years ago by Olena Yaremchuk, the founder of the Star Independent International Online Film Festival.
In 2014, as Ukraine underwent significant internal transformations, becoming an undisputed independent player on the global stage, the need arose for new projects showcasing Ukraine’s inclusion in the global cultural and informational landscape.
Olena Yaremchuk and her team responded by launching the first-ever Star Independent Online Film Festival, allowing participants from around the world to showcase their creative works in eight categories—ranging from music videos to full-length feature films.
The festival’s audience has always been international, as any internet user worldwide can watch competing films simply by registering on the project’s social media platforms.
From the very beginning, the festival’s Organizing Committee successfully engaged internationally recognized figures from the film industry to serve on the jury.
For the festival’s anniversary edition, the competition entries will be judged by an esteemed panel, including:
These prominent cultural figures have made significant
contributions to the global cultural space.
For instance:
• Natalia Bahmut, through her program «We Sing in Ukrainian», broadcast in Sacramento, promotes Ukrainian music across the United States.
• Tetiana Logush, who has been the president of the literary competition «Coronation of the Word» for 25 years, continues to discover young Ukrainian talents, whose works often later become film scripts.
Although some jury members remain unchanged, over the past 10 years, each edition of the festival has been chaired by a new distinguished figure in the film industry—someone who sees independent films as the driving force of cinema.
This year, the head of the star-studded jury is French actor, stuntman, and composer Steven Manas, best known for his role in the globally acclaimed American series «Ted Lasso,» which topped the charts on Apple TV+.
However, many traditions of «Star Independent» remain constant. This includes offline events held in various cities worldwide—from Kyiv to Barcelona.
For the third consecutive year, the festival’s Organizing Committee has chosen Miami as its main screening location. For the first time, we are witnessing a historic event— a film festival in America dedicated to Ukrainian culture.
Traditionally, Chicago and New York have been considered the main centers of the Ukrainian diaspora, but for three days (September 20–22), Miami has become the new cultural hub of Ukrainian identity.
A Shift in Mission
The festival has not only changed locations, but since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, its mission has evolved as well.
• In the early years, the primary goal of the festival was to introduce new projects and emerging talents to Ukrainian and international audiences.
• Now, the core of the festival program consists of works by Ukrainian filmmakers, and its conceptual events are focused on promoting Ukrainian culture to a broader audience, particularly American festival guests.
Opening Concert & Cultural Resistance
The 10th «Star Independent» kicked off with a grand concert featuring Ukrainian artists living in Miami. This new wave of performers unites young talents with those who emigrated long ago but continue fighting to preserve Ukrainian identity and culture. Their art is a manifesto of resistance against the Russian occupiers’ attempts to erase Ukraine’s heritage.
Premiere Screening: «Bucha»
The first screening of the festival also focuses on resisting destruction.
The film «Bucha» by director Stanislav Tiunov—known in the music industry as the founder of the successful projects Kazaky and The Hardkiss—has become one of the most anticipated Ukrainian film premieres of 2024.
American festival guests were among the first in the world to watch this powerful film.
«Star Independent» as a Hub for Collaboration
The «Star Independent» festival remains an effective
platform for professional collaboration:
• In the music sector, it connects young artists with music video directors.
• At the film labs, new formats of cooperation in modern cinema are discussed, including the intersection of literature and filmmaking.
A notable example of these collaborative processes is Taras Tomenko’s film «The House of Words», which won the 9th edition of the festival.
A large number of partner organizations joined the anniversary edition of the festival, sharing the Organizing Committee’s commitment to developing and promoting Ukrainian culture in the U.S. and globally.
A special role in this year’s festival belongs to its general partner, Yaryna Levytska, and her community organization «Ukrainian Spirit by Yaryna Levytska» from Orlando, which actively supports cultural projects in the U.S. and Canada.
The founder of the festival, Olena Yaremchuk, and its director, Volodymyr Koshovyi, express their deep gratitude to Krystyna Laukien, the president of the Power of Goodness Foundation in Miami, who has organized major events in Miami to support Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
The Organizing Committee also acknowledges the participation of:
• «Florida UA», which regularly organizes festivals to promote Ukrainian culture
• «Svitanok», led by president Kateryna Tesliuk
Each of these organizations plays a vital role in preserving and developing Ukrainian culture in the U.S.
The Star Independent festival has always been supported by Vidby, a company that utilizes artificial intelligence to translate new film productions into 75 languages and dialects.
Thanks to Alexander Konovalov and Denys Krasnikov, Vidby continuously introduces festival participants and guests to cutting-edge technologies in film and AI, main-
Vidby & AI Innovations in Film
taining its leading position in Hollywood.
Hollywood Recognition & Award Ceremony
The Organizing Committee hopes that the winners of this year’s festival will gain recognition in Hollywood.
The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony and the Final Press Conference, both taking place on September 24 in Kyiv, supported by «Planeta», whose president, Margaryta Sotnikova, is dedicated to nurturing young talents in Ukraine and the U.S.
The International Legal Consulting Group «Yaremchuk & Partners», which specializes in intellectual property protection and operates in Kyiv and Miami, has been the general partner of the festival since its inception, continuously providing legal support and protection for young talents.
A Celebration of Ukrainian Cinema & Culture
There is no doubt that the anniversary edition of the Star Independent International Online Film Festival has introduced new names and delivered unforgettable experiences to a broad international audience, whose interest in Ukrainian cultural products continues to grow.
The event opened with the screening of the film «Bucha».
• Children’s screenings included the film «The Taste of Freedom», directed by Oleksandr, as part of a special celebration at the Vocal Art Studio Children’s Creative Center.
• Children received prizes, participated in a charity auction in support of the Ukrainian Children’s Fund U4UA. org, and watched the film «Let’s Dance», followed by a discussion with director Oleksandr Berezan.
The closing ceremony featured a screening of the Ukrainian folk film «The Black Cossack», followed by a traditional awards ceremony alongside a concert featuring Ukrainian singers and musicians, including: Serhiy Kovalevskyi, Suzanna Ingladan, Tatyana Bryantseva, Violinist Kostya Violin, The Malhivska Sisters, Oleksandr Ivanov, Tanya Melamed
Charity Gala for Ukraine
An extraordinary charity event, in partnership with the «Power of Goodness» Foundation, gathered American elites in support of the fund’s mission to build the «Together» rehabilitation center.
The event, led by Krystyna Laukien, raised funds and awareness for Ukraine’s ongoing humanitarian efforts.
At the start of the war, we were just as confused as everyone else. We began helping by transporting humanitarian aid to the military at the front. A few months later, we realized that we could contribute in the way we do best—by creating video works that convey important ideas to viewers and spread worldwide. We began to understand that even creativity in such times must be thoughtful and beneficial to society.
Through these videos, we helped raise donations for charitable foundations that support the Ukrainian Armed Forces as well as veterans who have suffered amputations.
One of our first projects was called «Ukraine Has Grown Up.» The idea for this video came to us in May 2022, when we realized that our lives would never be the same again. That the whole country had been forced to grow up in a very short time under the metallic roar of war. This idea became the foundation of our project.
Socially responsible creativity
This concept has become even more relevant for our video production company, Luminance, since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And this is exactly what our creativity has become over the past three years.
www.luminance.video/roboty/ukraine-has-grown-up
Then came collaborations with various foundations, both large and small social projects. In particular, in 2024, we conducted a social campaign that we are proud of— “Manifesto of the Strong,” aimed at supporting and raising funds for prosthetics for veterans with amputations.
In this video, our main hero was veteran Oleksandr Chayka. A former choreographer and acrobat, he lost his
leg in Donetsk region. The Future for Ukraine Foundation helped Oleksandr receive a modern prosthetic leg and supported him during his rehabilitation. Now, he has opened his own acrobatics school for children, where he teaches them not just tricks, but how to achieve goals through hard work and overcome challenges.
We were deeply moved by Oleksandr’s story and his will to live. In our short film, we showed the viewer the
journey of a soldier from injury to returning to normal life, and the trials that must be overcome.
The premiere of this video took place in a cinema, where, after the screening, a panel discussion was held with representatives of Ukrainian businesses. The topic discussed was the systemic reintegration of veterans into society.
This video was seen by people in various countries around the world. With its help, funds were raised for high-quality prosthetics for veterans with severe amputations.
www.luminance.video/roboty/manifest-silnih
These and many other similar topics have become part of our reality, something we face every day. And we, Ukrainians, will never be the same as before. Our worldview and thoughts have changed.
This is what we convey to the world through our socially responsible creativity.
Antonina Sotnikova and Denys Stehnii, founders of the video production company Luminance. Ukraine Kyiv youtu.be/X7jdyoNGh8I
Greg Romenski, a Ukrainian-born producer based in Brooklyn, New York, has made significant strides in television production, particularly with his innovative series titled «Immimentary.» This series delves into the personal narratives of modern-day immigrants, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into their challenges and triumphs.Romenski, originally a musician, transitioned into television production with notable success. He gained recognition for his talk show «Medcast Plus,» which provides a platform for doctors and healthcare professionals to share advice and healthrelated tips. This program earned him a B Free Award from BRIC in the B Healthy: Outstanding Program Feature/Segment category.
The Brooklyn Home Reporter
Building on his experiences as an immigrant, Romenski created and trademarked the term «Immimentary,» blending «immigrant» and «documentary» to define a new genre focused on immigrant stories. The inaugural episode premiered at the BRIC «B Free Awards» on April 19, 2018, receiving enthusiastic applause.
Blasting News
Each episode of «Immimentary» highlights the unique journey of an immigrant, shedding light on their personal experiences, struggles, and contributions to society. For instance, the debut episode featured a pharmacist from Pakistan who transitioned into senior care in the United States, emphasizing the resilience and adaptability of immigrants.
Romenski’s dedication to storytelling extends beyond «Immimentary.» He has been actively involved in BRIC Arts Media, a creative hub in Brooklyn, where he continues to produce content that resonates with diverse audi-
Immimentary Brooklyn House Reporter
ences. His commitment to highlighting immigrant experiences contributes to a broader understanding and empathy within multiethnic communities.Through «Immimentary,» Greg Romenski not only shares compelling stories but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the diverse tapestry of immigrant experiences in modern society.
Greg Romenski, an award-winning producer based in Brooklyn, New York, has made significant contributions to documentary filmmaking through his innovative series titled «Immimentary.» The term «Immimentary,» a fusion of «immigrant» and «documentary,» was officially trademarked by Romenski in March 2018 to describe his unique approach to storytelling that focuses on the personal narratives of immigrants from diverse backgrounds. «Conclusion,» allowing viewers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the immigrant experience. Through «Immimentary,» Greg Romenski aims to foster empathy and understanding by sharing the unique journeys of immigrants, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and connected society.
Recently Greg record on his immimentary YouTube channel story of Anton Levkun. Anton Levkun, a distinguished Ukrainian karate master, has significantly impacted the martial arts community through his exceptional skills, coaching, and record-setting achievements. Levkun is a strong advocate for youth participation in sports, emphasizing the importance of physical activity in combating negative influences such as substance abuse and inactivity. He encourages young individuals to set goals, engage in regular training, and pursue excellence in their chosen disciplines.
Hello.HowamI?
To be honest, I’m still in the denial phase.
I’ve already cycled through anger, bargaining, and depression. Even acceptance—at least when it comes to material losses. But losing people? That’s a different kind of wound, one that refuses to heal easily.
What’s hardest, though, is accepting my own weakness.
Admitting that I am small, fragile, powerless—a person who couldn’t withstand the trial of war. It broke me down to molecules.
I’m ashamed to admit this, but I still cling to a quiet hope: to find someone who will listen. Someone strong enough to bear the weight of all I want to say. Someone who won’t turn away from the tears, the hysteria lodged beneath my ribs—the kind of tears that still keep me awake at night.
You probably wouldn’t guess this about me, though. Not from my social media pages, anyway. There, I’m all smiles—a piano, children, laughter, dancing. It’s a curated gallery of joy.
But one day, on my way home from lessons, it struck me:
There’s nothing more important than moments of joy. It’s like a magical elixir—so simple yet maddeningly elusive. Like Schr ö dinger’s cat, or maybe Schr ö dinger’s joy.
How do you find joy in the depths of despair, though? Without numbing yourself with adrenaline or alcohol?
For me, the answer is children.
Children—mischievous, unruly, and bursting with curiosity. Poking at piano keys with complete abandon,
creating chaos that somehow feels like freedom.
And in the middle of that whirlwind, something emerges. A sense of life. A sense of purpose. A sense of joy. I won’t wrap this up with a neat conclusion or a moral. I’m even wary of phrases like, “The meaning of life is in children.” Because it’s not.
The meaning, I think, is in the reminder they give us: that joy is worth seeking, even when it seems impossible.
One day, I stepped out into the quiet streets of my little Czech town and was overwhelmed by a bittersweet coziness. Do you remember, as a child, the joy of running into a familiar courtyard where everything felt safe and warm?
The trauma of war does something to you—it makes you believe you need permission to live.
As if someone bigger, wiser, and more important has to come and tell you, “You’re not to blame. None of this was your fault. You have the right to think about yourself and your life.”
That realization felt more significant than all the logistics—medicine, insurance, social programs, or documents in the Czech Republic.
Because when your heart carries that permission to live, everything else becomes surmountable.
Author Yulianna Lukina Czech Republic
#ArtForPeace-
when art is stronger than words. An interview with the artist Irina Fedorenko
Iryna Fedorenko is one of the most famous and successful contemporary Ukrainian artists, she creates her works under the pseudonym SEMIRA. Irina was born in Mariupol, lived and worked in Kiev for many years. Iryna is known not only as an artist, but also as a professional art expert and organizer of the International Festival of Contemporary Art «TRACES», for many years she has been presenting in different countries not only her creativity, but also the works of many Ukrainian artists, so the Festival exhibitions were recently fashionable to be seen in Munich, Germany, in Cannes, France, in Brussels, Belgium.
After a forced move from Ukraine in the spring of 2022 Iryna lives with her son and mother in Munich. A few months after the start of the war, it became clear that Irina’s family had lost everything they had in Mariupol and
had nowhere to go back to Ukraine. In order to avoid stress, Irina constantly vaporizes her emotions. This is how the series of works «Children of War» came into being. These are multifarious emotions expressed by means of children’s faces. But these paintings are not only about children’s experiences, these paintings are about the feelings of all people who are experiencing war, and at times about the feelings and emotions of the same people at different moments.
The main idea is to show the value of human life and to call for peace. The paintings in this series have already been shown in over 50 exhibitions in galleries and museums around the world, notably in the European Parliament and at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The soul of the artist is embedded in each work, it can be seen in the eyes of every child.
in the eyes of every child in the paintings. Part of her works Iryna donated to the charitable projects and helps people who suffered in Ukraine.
The Italian Institute of Culture published a catalog of Irina’s paintings, which included included most of the works created in 2022, and the director of the Istituto
The director of the Institute placed one of the paintings from the series «Children of War» on the cover of his book about Ukraine.
Now one of the paintings from this series can also be seen on the 50 Euro bill of the 2025 German regional pennies. The official event will be announced in the near future and collectors will be able to get the opportunity to enrich their collections with this interesting bill.
«My project is a reflexion on the theme «Children of War», as a con-
sequence of military aggression in Ukraine, through the images of children to show the feelings, emotions and experiences of a particular person or the whole humanity.
The war scattered emotions to the limits, children’s faces are honest and direct, in each image each of us can recognize himself at that or another moment, because each of us always remains a child. Art can often convey more than a thousand words. My mission, as an artist and as a human being, is not to let the world forget about what happened in my hometown Mariupol and in Ukraine in general,» the artist says.
- What are you working on now and what do you find inspiration in?
- I am currently working on the continuation of the «SPIRITS» series, I love the subject and often delve into the study of good and evil, I do not name these paintings so as not to lim-
it the viewer in their interaction with painting, I feel that my aim is to create them, and then they become separate entities and collide with the public. One of these works is in the collection of the highest Catholic clergy, and last night I received the keys from the church as a token of appreciation for my work. I am also preparing a special portrait for the opening of an important art project in one of my favorite Ukrainian museums. This painting is going to be the centerpiece of the exhibition, and it is a great responsibility. I am also working on the idea of special works for the event, which is being created by my friend and where I will reveal the issues of human growth and development, this presentation will take place in the spring. To make a long story short, I do some very creative and spontaneous works from time to time, a true artist, on the one hand, can create ideas for a long time, and on the other hand, at times, is absolutely spontaneous and cannot control his creative flow.
- Let’s turn to the question of inspiration - where do you get it?
- The mood is a special condition, every person seeks his or her own, for me it is to spend time with friends, relatives, travel, watch movies. I can also say that sometimes it is something quite unconventional for other people, for example, recently I visited CERN in Switzerland, be-
cause I had long wanted to see and learn more about the Large Hadron Collider. I love physics and the depth of the unknown, about what matter and energy are, we know so little about it and going deeper into the knowledge of the universe is a never-ending motivation.
- Where did your path as an artist begin?
- Johnny Depp. I’ve already told you a lot about him, he’s unbelievable, I learned to paint portraits based on him, I was interested in depth, not just the exterior. I try in my portraits to convey the soul of a person, his emotions, feelings, my portraits are more than similar. I like to look at people’s eyes, I can sense the smallest changes in mood, I can even read their thoughts, little snickers tell me more about people’s moods than they tell me about themselves. It is very important for us to control our facial expressions when we react to something, but all this leaves its traces and the mate can tell us more about a person.
- What are you dreaming about?
- Peace. About people growing up and understanding the value of life and how lucky we are to be here, to be a part of this world, to see the laughter of our children, to embrace our loved ones, to see the changing of the sun, to feel the wind on the sea, to enjoy our favorite music, to give others good emotions, love and much, much more.
Alona Yaremchuk (spell it correctly) #IrynaFedorenko #SEMIRA Germany, Munich
YuliiaStelmakh:FromLaw toArtandInspiration
Her name is Yuliia Stelmakh, born and raised in the heart of Ukraine—Kyiv. Before the war, she was a professional lawyer, graduating from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and working in banking institutions as well as the National Bank of Ukraine. Yet, in 2015, painting captivated her heart, steering Yuliia’s life onto a radically new path.
In 2017, Yuliia completed a figurative painting course at the Modern Art Research Institute of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts under the guidance of renowned Ukrainian artist Andrii Bludov. It was then that her powerful artistic journey began. Yuliia participated in numerous group exhibitions, including at the National Bank of Ukraine.
A significant influence on Yuliia’s art came from her mentor, Oleksandr Onishchenko, celebrated for his mastery of black canvas. His unique approach helped Yuliia uncover the depth of her artistic vision and encouraged her to experiment with various techniques and themes.
In 2022, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Yuliia was forced to leave her homeland. After spending a month in Europe, she relocated to the United States, where she began a new chapter of her life. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new environment, Yuliia continued painting, finding strength and inspiration in her art. She volunteered at the
Torpedo Art Factory in Alexandria, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. This vibrant community of American artists became a crucial step in her integration into a new culture.
Today, Yuliia has created approximately 300 works, many of which grace private collections in the United States, Greece, Moldova, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, and other countries worldwide. Her art is distinguished by its emotional depth, vivid palette, and delicate sense of space.
Yuliia has also stayed connected to her legal career. She currently works at an American law firm and plans to further her education by earning a Master of Laws degree in the United States. “In my life, art is both law and painting—each complements and balances the other,” Yuliia says.
Beyond her creative pursuits, Yuliia actively shares her artistic expertise. She conducts painting workshops for women in Washington, D.C., and has developed her own unique teaching system that incorporates fundamental principles of fine art. Under her guidance, anyone can create their own painting in just three hours. Her workshops not only open new creative horizons for participants but also help them discover inner harmony through art.
Yuliia Stelmakh’s story inspires many. It shows how, despite change, loss, and challenges, one can find new meaning and continue to grow. Her example proves that art and resilience have no boundaries.
Columbia Washington
Iwas born in the wonderful city of Zaporozhye. I started singing at the age of three, and from the age of four, the charming girl was invited to all city song contests. There I received my first prize in my life. But music alone was not enough for me, and my parents sent me to a figure skating school. Since then, sports and music have always been present in my life. At the age of five, I entered a music studio and began to sing in a children’s choir. At six, I became a soloist in a children’s choir. It was a success! A year later, I was accepted to a music school in the piano class. At the same time, I changed figure skating for handball, to the surprise of my loved ones. There was a lot of lyricism in figure skating, but I wanted a tough sport game, and a fragile girl decided on such a desperate step. The next decisive step in my life was a physics and mathematics school. Then my soul was in complete harmony: school for breakfast, music for lunch, training for dinner, and homework before bed. Whenever I had a free minute, I devoted it to my favorite activity: I staged plays and amateur concerts at school, where I performed songs of my own composition. At the age of 11, two important events happened in my life at once: handball was replaced by cycling, and I was invited to sing in the folk choir «Yablonka». Since then, I fell in love with folk songs and enjoy performing them at my concerts to this day. Five years later, I graduated from high school, music school, and had a cycling category. With this baggage, I entered adulthood. At 16, I was invited to work in a restaurant, where I fully understood all the joys and sorrows of my profession. But my first work experience only strengthened my will and desire to work further. I wanted to get on the big stage, and I went to a competition for young performers in Donetsk. It was there that I met a person who played a huge role in my creative life... The jury of the competition included a wonderful Singer, Composer, Poet - Alexander Tishchenko (performer of the song
Hello!IamNatanika.
Singer, author of words, music, actress, presenter.
«Prima Ballerina» which, without exaggeration, the whole country sang). Alexander was strict with young vocalists, but generously shared with them the secrets of his craft. His master classes became a school for me for life! After participating in the competition, I received an offer to work in the vocal duet «Chorna Perlyna» - it was a professional project with original songs. The creative father of the duet was the wonderful musician Alexander Zhuravlev. The best composers, poets, arrangers of Zaporozhye worked with our duet. At the festival «Chervona Ruta» (then it was held in Sevastopol), the young
duet became a diploma winner. Here I met the leader of the cult group «Viy» - Dima Dobry-Vecher. At the festival, he invited me to work as part of his group. This meeting marked the beginning of my Kiev period. In Kiev, I had to learn a lot all over again... I am infinitely grateful to the wonderful SINGER and excellent TEACHER Lina Prokhorova, who became my Kyiv vocal teacher. In Kiev, I had another fateful meeting with Alexander Tishchenko. «Viy» recorded its next album at his studio, where I met the MASTER again. From that day on, I began to work at his studio on a regular basis, recording backing vocals for
many singers. But the day came when the idea of creating my solo project appeared. Alexander suggested performing his song «Only about Love». I put my whole soul into the amazing music and lyrics of this song. «You know, no one has ever sung my songs better than you!» - these words of Alexander Tishchenko became the most important words in my creative life. I cherish them to this day! This is how
the singer NATANIKA appeared. The next song recorded was «Together Forever» - it also gave the name to my first album. The music was written by the wonderful musician and composer Alexander Chukalenko (Baron), the lyrics by the famous Ukrainian singer Oksana Khozhai. The next step was recording the album «I’m Not Like Everyone Else», which included songs written for me by Alexander Tishchenko. And then I met the composer and poet Alexey Malakhov. He wrote a song for me - I really liked it, then a second one, I liked it too, then there was a third, fourth, fifth... We got so carried away that we recorded an entire album! And called it «I’m Losing Weight from You». We continue to cooperate now, and to date a new music album has already been released, also consisting of songs written for me by Alexey Malakhov. It is called «Living Beautifully». There were many creative plans ahead, but everything changed in February 2022... The war began. In the summer, the phone rang and I was invited to come to Germany with a charity concert for Ukrainian refugees. Since then, I have been in Germany and continue to perform for Ukrainians. It is especially pleasant that many German residents come to the concerts, who have already fallen in love with Ukrainian songs! Here, in Germany, I remembered another of my childhood hobbies - risowing, and began to devote her free time to it. As a result, an exhibition of my paintings was held, then another one, and the famous German store «MALEN NACH ZAHLEN» offered its customers my paintings for painting «by
numbers». I will not hide - it was flattering and pleasant! I really hope that after our victory, I will return home, to Ukraine, where I will continue to sing, paint and give people a Holiday!
NATANIKA • I am fond of photography, I take pictures of everything. • I love to cook. The best Ukrainian borscht is «borscht from Natanika». • I hate stores. I get lost and try for a long time to remember why I came. • I follow the latest mobile communications, fashionable devices and automotive innovations. Hello to my physics and mathematics school! • I have no idols. There are just favorite musicians, singers and actors. • I do not want to be like any of them. I am used to being myself. • I love animals. I have a black cat and a red squirrel registered with me. • I prefer a sporty or elegant style of clothing. I buy what I like, not what is fashionable. • Favorite colors: white, blue, green. • My home is a place where I relax. Therefore, it should be quiet and green. Oh! And a huge bathroom! Stay with me! Always yours, Natanika The creative portfolio of the singer NATANIKA includes three music albums: “Together Forever”, “I Am Not Like Everyone Else”, “I Am Losing Weight Because of You”. Songwriters Alexander Tishchenko and Alexey Malakhov. Videos: “Rain”, directed by Igor Kostromskoy, “Paparazzi”, directed by Alexander Syutkin, “I Am Losing Weight Because of You”, directed by Alexander Syutkin, “Tears in the Rain”, directed by Philipp Knyazev, “Let’s Decide!” directed by Dmitry Mukhin/Ekaterina Osinskaya.
Ukraine Kyiv
NataliaNasybulina
Artist, mechanical engineer, teacher Honored Artist of Ukraine
Natalia Nasybulina is a famous Ukrainian artist with a wide range of creativity, art curator, public figure.
On the creative path of Natalia Olegovna there are about 200 exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad.
Natalia’s creative and public activities are incredibly multifaceted: she is an icon painter, creative designer, author and director of international projects and exclusive performances, a diploma holder of all-Ukrainian, international art and design competitions and festivals. She works in the field of easel and monumental painting, decorative and applied and theatrical art, a master of portraiture, a master of spatial compositions and optical illusions, the author of a new technique of artistic design using various materials, mechanisms and electrical devices. Thus, the artist realizes her knowledge and skills as a mechanical engineer (by first education), complementing, expanding and transforming works of art into a new direction in art.
The artist is also the founder of the creative direction «Body-Fashion-Art», where extremely unusual costumes are created: mechanical, electrical, costumes - transformers. Very often these costumes seem to turn into body painting, and then the whole image amazes with its harmony and unreal monolithicity.
Since 2001, such costumes have been presented at various festivals in Europe. They have repeatedly been awarded diplomas at fantasy film festivals in Brussels.
Full member (academician) of the Academy of Arts and Sciences of Ukraine
Holder of the twelve-pointed gold star «Credo» - the world order «Cultural Diplomacy» - the order of St. Righteous Anna, II degree, - the order «For the preservation of national traditions»
Member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine
Public figure
In 2017, she founded the School of Painting and Design, where she conducts master classes for adults and children.
Her own teaching methodology works wonders: releasing artistic talent here and now, an obvious positive arttherapeutic effect, improving emotional well-being and self-esteem. People who first held a brush in their hands, paint a finished picture the first time. Many people who dreamed of drawing in childhood get the opportunity to really realize their dream beautifully and competently, from the point of view of an art academic school. It seems impossible, but it happens every time at Natalia Nasybulina’s author’s master classes.
In our difficult time, the master helps people to be happy in their creative impulse for at least some time. Gradually get rid of stress and traumatic state. Everyone who comes to art master classes goes home with their own finished paintings. And what could be better for an artist - to see the happy eyes of students, their unique emotions, and to know that a person has acquired a new skill, confidence in their abilities, and even helped their health a little!
Currently, many Ukrainians live abroad.
And to continue to touch creativity and create their own paintings - online classes are held.
All the master’s works are distinguished by special harmony and spirituality: whether it is a still life, a portrait, an icon or a bas-relief. Everything is done with great love and gratitude for the opportunity to create and bring joy to people!
The sacred direction (icon painting) in the work of Natalia Nasybulina is a separate, but very soulful theme. This is the need of the artist’s soul! As in each of her creative directions, she brought something new, while preserving the canonical provisions of icon painting.
She has a blessing for icon painting. The master’s icons are created in the author’s technique, using volumetric multi-level painting, microsculpture and relief miniature, decorated with natural stones, corals and pearls. The author’s icons are in Orthodox churches in Europe and Ukraine, in private collections in Europe and America, as well as in the Administration of the President of Ukraine.
As a public figure and art curator, Natalia Olehivna was the official representative for cultural exchange of the city of Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region in the King-
dom of Belgium: 2004 - 2014. At that time, many exhibitions of Ukrainian artists (including children’s thematic exhibitions) were held at various levels: from exhibitions in the European Parliament, in the city halls of various Belgian cities, at international forums and other prestigious art venues in Belgium and Ukraine.
The incredible diversity of Natalia Nasybulina’s work is impressive. With equal ease, the artist creates miniatures that need to be viewed under a magnifying glass, large basreliefs, sculptures, monumental multiplanar compositions with elements of engineering structures and electrical equipment, multilayered classi-
cal paintings, or modern works with new materials and in 3D technology. Transforming costumes with unique mechanisms and special effects for multimedia performances.
A creative combination of costumes, mechanisms, illumination, painting and imitations. Incompatible things are combined in a strange way, and create unique phenomena in art. And always in all works - skill and harmony.
Currently, the artist lives and works in the Kingdom of Belgium, helping Ukrainians get rid of stress and improve their well-being through miraculous painting master classes.
The artist plans a series of exhibitions in the European Parliament and in various cities in Belgium and Europe. We hope that her paintings about Ukraine will become an important cultural event.
The works are in the Berlin museum MAUERMUSEUM - MUSEUM HAUS, in the Kharkiv Art Museum, in the museum of the National Historical and Cultural Reserve «Hetman’s Capital», in the office of the European Parliament (Brussels), in state institutions of Belgium, as well as in private collections in Ukraine, Europe and America.
Yulia Nasybulina - a young and promising artist in the second generation - has a rare gift to create works of art in different styles, techniques, genres and directions and is rapidly gaining popularity.
Yulia Nasybulina is a painter, portraitist, author of creative installations, sculptor, costume designer and stage decorator, as well as an interior, exterior and landscape designer, and a photographer. She works in the field of easel and monumental painting, decorative and applied arts.
A graduate of international art and design competitions and festivals. More than 50 exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad on her creative path.
Yulia Nasybulina is the founder and head of a children’s drawing and art development school in the Kingdom of Belgium.
And also a lawyer by first education.
The artistic development of children is now a priority. And it is very important for the artist to pass on her experience. To creatively and creatively develop future stars and geniuses who will soon build our society and the future of our civilization.
Ms. Yulia has been featured in many publications, such as: «DOMUS design»,
«DECOR», «Ukrainian artists», «Golden fund of the nation», and other glossy publications, is the author of many articles in printed publications in Ukraine and Belgium.
Holder of the twelve-pointed gold star «Credo», holder of the world order «Cultural Diplomacy»
Currently lives and works in the Kingdom of Belgium.
Yulia Nasybulina’s works are in the MAUERMUSEUM - MUSEUM HAUS Museum (Berlin, Germany), in the Kharkiv Art Museum, in the Ukrainian Consulate (Berlin), in the Ukrainian Consulate and Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium, as well as in private collections in Europe and America.
It all began with a frog. A majolica frog, the size of a loaf of bread, created by Anya Stasenko and Slava Leontyev 25 years ago. The young graphic artists wanted to create something new in ceramic sculpture. It was a new field and a new experience that inspired the Kharkiv natives to explore new forms and content. Literally! Continuing to experiment with materials and imagery, Slava and Anya arrived at their unique sculptural form – amusing little porcelain animals. There’s something deeply metaphorical in their creation. A lump of clay is taken, and thanks to the fusion of male and female creative energy, life is breathed into it. Indeed, Anya and Slava’s sculptures continue their lives in another space, in another world, where they bring joy with their presence.
In this artistic (and family) tandem, Slava directly sculpts the fragile porcelain figures, and Anya paints them. Anya’s paintings are essentially stories about different characters and the events that happen to them. The artists work on each piece for weeks, sometimes months, so there aren’t many of these family-made worlds where the porcelain masterpieces end up. As a rule, the Kharkiv artists create their works on commission. But if a new character appears unexpectedly, there’s always someone who wants to «tame» it. So, organizing an exhibition of their work is quite a challenge for the creative team. Only once in their hometown did they manage to
gather all available sculptures into an exhibition to delight the people of Kharkiv.
But thanks to the internet, they manage to delight a huge number of admirers of beauty. People write to Anya and Slava from all over the world, at the very least, to express their admiration for their talent. Even reading comments on social media under posts featuring the artists’ works brings joy – you realize how many kind, sincere, and passionate people there are! Among them were Americans Brendan Bellomo and Aniela Sidorska. They literally fell in love with the unique porcelain animals, fish, insects, mollusks, amphibians, and magical fauna they saw online, and offered the Ukrainian artists a joint animation project based on their creations.
However, the project development was interrupted by the Russian aggression in February 2022. Living in Kharkiv, Anya and Slava found themselves in a zone of shelling, in a zone of danger, in a zone of resilience that simply shocked the world! Brendan, a professional filmmaker, who was constantly in touch and worried about his partners and all Ukrainians in general, when he realized that Slava and Anya had decided to stay in Kharkiv, carefully suggested that they film what was happening to them and around them, to document it.
Perhaps the decision to stay home was subconsciously made even before the full-scale war. They already felt its approach in 2014 when they left Crimea. The fabulously beautiful peninsula had been the artists’ love since childhood; they visited it every year and worked there for long periods. So, when the opportunity arose to settle in Crimea, they created a space not only for themselves but also for their many friends – with a garden, a workshop, and a wonderful atmosphere. And all this beauty, all this comfort, filled with harmony and creative energy, had to be abandoned. Anya and Slava could not continue to live in their own home under the occupation of a regime they found abhorrent.
They returned to their native Kharkiv, where they and their friends began to think about how to prepare for the impending war. Slava, who had never served in the army, focused on marksmanship and achieved some success. And in the first days of the full-scale war, he began to train territorial defense fighters. According to the artist, «working as an instructor was inevitable for me.»
The story is undoubtedly epic – a sculptor, a creator, takes up weapons of killing and destruction to defend his right to life and creativity. And the story is not just real, it’s happening in real time. When Brendan Bellomo suggested that Slava and Anya film their daily life, essentially the story of normal people caught in an abnormal situation, the Kharkiv residents were somewhat embarrassed. Primarily because they had never dealt with video filming before, and both are perfectionists by nature. But when they began to discuss the process with their American partners, they agreed that Brendan’s idea was important and necessary.
Someone had to film Anya and Slava, and so they invited Andriy to join the creative team. He was an artist, a friend of the creative couple, and a father of two charming girls from whom he was forced to separate because of the war. Andriy became not just a cameraman, but a full-fledged hero of the documentary, which its creators called «Porcelain War.» A talented artist, like his colleagues, who had not previously engaged in video filming, turned out to be such a talented cameraman that the footage he shot for the first time in his life was included in the film. Moreover, on February 16th, Andriy Stefanov was nominated for an ASC (American Society of Cinema-
tographers) Award, which is given to less than 1% of the most experienced cinematographers worldwide.
«Porcelain War» has many heroes – besides the three main characters, there’s Frodo, Anya and Slava’s fourlegged pet; the fighters of the «Saigon» unit (during training and in combat), who had peaceful professions before the war; nature; the city and its inhabitants; the characters from Anya’s drawings, brought to life through animation; and a charming dragon with camouflage painting that made it onto the film’s poster.
It’s hard to imagine the process of creating a film when parts of the film crew work on different continents, in different time zones, in different realities. But the incredible energy that united them produced a phenomenal result. «Porcelain War,» the documentary debut of two directors – Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev – received about 50 international awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, America’s most prestigious independent film festival, and was shortlisted for an Oscar.
«Run, don’t walk, to the cinema to see the beautiful and emotionally stunning ‘Porcelain War’!!!», Chris Columbus, one of the most successful Hollywood directors and producers, urged his followers.
Presenting the film, which reveals culture as a source of resilience and a form of resistance, Anya and Slava sometimes leave their Kharkiv home accompanied by several porcelain animals they created. Their owners entrust their treasures to the creators’ care. The camouflage dragon also found its home. It’s in Ukraine, and its wonderful owner donated a significant sum to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
But the Armed Forces of Ukraine need not only material assistance but also moral support from progressive people all over the world. This support must be converted into a victory for the forces of Good, so that Ukrainian artists, builders, teachers, musicians, managers, designers, and farmers can return to their occupations, their families, their lives. It will never be the same, but it WILL BE! As new porcelain sculptures by Anya Stasenko and Slava Leontyev will continue to appear, adorning the world!
Author Oksana Osher
California Los Angeles youtu.be/JPxIHYUXeEk?si=F6wCe9D6PJty-wp9
Over these past three years, my life has been filled with emotions I hadn’t experienced in the previous ten. It has been divided into BEFORE and AFTER.
Delicious!
BEFORE – I was the owner of an agency specializing in monitoring and analyzing the film industry. All Warner Bros., Sony, and Disney films in Ukraine passed through our analytical data. I traveled to film festivals, including Cannes. I also had a hobby—I loved cooking, not just simple dishes but restaurant-level cuisine. During the COVID period, I even completed two training courses at a culinary academy led by a MasterChef judge. AFTER – I changed three coun -
tries. My husband and I were in Turkey when we heard the news of the war. Every year, we traveled there for sports training camps. I was with my granddaughter, with only a suitcase packed for a two-week vacation—returning was not an option. I went to Tajikistan, then Uzbekistan, where my husband had a contract job. Now, I live in Bulgaria.
Hello, my name is Oksana, and I am from Kyiv. And do you know what saved me from losing my mind, from falling into despair with -
out my usual rhythm of life? My hobby. I started a culinary blog and have already gained 12,000 followers. I completed two more training programs in a culinary academy, focusing on pastry and world cuisines. And this year, I fulfilled a dream— I traveled to the renowned French culinary academy Le Cordon Bleu. This is where famous chefs train
before earning Michelin stars. It was just a one-week course, but I know I will return, whether for three or six months of training.
You might ask, Do you want to be a chef? My answer: rather, I want to have my own establishment. But I am going through all the steps to understand every aspect of the culinary world from within. I am also learning new languages because I respect the countries I have lived in. Knowing a few phrases, understanding, and responding in their native language—it matters to me. I imagine if they lived in Ukraine without knowing our language or culture, and I wouldn’t want to do the same to them.
Did I ever dream of this life? Did I know where I would end up? Probably not. The picture in my mind was different. No, I am not complaining—I have not lost my home or loved ones because of the war. But I have lost a part of my familiar
life, a part of myself that remained in the BEFORE. Yet, everything that fate has sent my way has shaped me into someone new—more thoughtful, composed, and motivated. And now, I can’t stop.
I know this magazine will be published after all the New Year’s celebrations and just before Valentine’s Day, so I’d love to share a delicious recipe with you.
At Le Cordon Bleu, I had the opportunity to make macarons alongside a French chef, and now I invite you to my masterclass on how to make them yourself. I’ll reveal all the tricks, secrets, and techniques!
If you love beautiful and delicious food as much as I do, I’d be happy to connect with you. Visit my Instagram page @sjuzzi_kitchen, where I share my knowledge and teach others.
Basque Cheesecake Recipe:
• Add 3 eggs, 120g of sugar, and 250ml of cream to 450-500g of cream cheese and blend until smooth using an immersion blender.
• Add lemon zest and 16g of wheat flour, then blend again.
• Line a cheesecake mold with three layers of parchment paper, ensuring the edges are covered.
• Place the mold on a baking tray and pour in the cheesecake mixture.
• Bake for 35 minutes at 240°C in convection mode.
• The cheesecake should have a souffl é -like texture when done. The crust’s color depends on your preference.
• Let it cool before serving. Enjoy! Sincerely, director of Cinema Analytics Oksana Kondrashova Uzbekistan www.instagram.com/sjuzzi_kitchen?i gsh=MWwzYTYzNGxycHU2dw==
Sharing Experience and Creativity Through Teaching
As a mentor, I believe my role is not just to demonstrate techniques but to inspire. Every professional who wants to grow has the potential for creativity, and I aim to help them discover their uniqueness. That’s
My goal is not only to create style and beauty for every client but also to share my knowledge, shape new perspectives on the profession, and give people the opportunity to grow and create independently. It’s not just about working with hair—it’s about understanding the depth of the process behind every decision. My philosophy combines skill, creativity, and a personalized approach, and I strive to pass this on to the next generation of stylists—those who want to work with passion and truly connect with each client.
why it’s important for me to create an environment where students feel valued and learn to approach every situation creatively—even when faced with a challenging client or an unconventional task.
I am ready to share my knowledge, provide support, inspire, and help
those who choose the path of a stylist because I believe that creativity has no limits. Every client and every student is an opportunity to create something new and inspiring.
Natalia Sivko: Stylist-colorist and mentor instagram.com/sivko_nataliia 3054345769
