Svitlana Ramer, Author at Razom

#RazomRecommends: This June, stand with Ukraine through art, music, film, community action, and powerful storytelling. Explore resilience. Celebrate culture. Support justice.

16 May – 24 August 2025 | Ongoing | NYC
Village to Modern: Ukrainian Folk Art from the Vasyl and Maria Petryshyn Collection
The Ukrainian Museum’s newest exhibit traces the journey of traditional village crafts to modern artistry, showcasing the richness of Ukrainian visual culture.
🔗https://www.theukrainianmuseum.org/village-to-modern/

May 9 – June 22, 2025 | Ongoing | NYC
OPEN GROUP: Yuriy Biley, Pavlo Kovach, and Anton Varga

Presented at 601Artspace, this exhibition showcases the collective’s Venice Biennale 2024 project for the Polish Pavilion — a powerful exploration of displacement, identity, and collectivity in wartime.
🔗https://601artspace.org/OPEN-GROUP

29 May – 28 June 2025 | London, UK
The Reckoning
Based on testimonies collected by The Reckoning Project, this powerful stage production brings real stories of war crimes in Ukraine to life. Created by Dash Arts, written by Anastasiia Kosodii and Josephine Burton, and directed by Burton, the play amplifies Ukrainian voices and demands justice through art.
🔗 https://www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/the-reckoning/

June 2025 | Tour USA & Canada
Konotopska Vidma: A Witch Returns
This powerful reinterpretation of a Ukrainian classic reclaims the witch as a symbol of resistance and female power. Don’t miss this feminist theatrical sensation.
🔗 https://fca.ua/en/konotopska-vidma-world-en/

June 5 | NYC
A Time for Fun: A Concert Cabaret
A warm, witty cabaret by Vira Slywotzky and pianist David Sytkowski, fusing classical and popular tunes with Ukrainian soul.
🔗 https://www.razomforukraine.org/events/a-time-for-fun-a-concert-cabaret/

June 7 | NYC
All Ages Family Concert
Bring the whole family to this joyful musical experience exploring Ukrainian sounds and traditions.
🔗 https://www.razomforukraine.org/events/all-ages-family-concert/

June 11 | Kyiv, Ukraine

DOCU/PRO Talk: Ukrainian Docs as Cultural Diplomacy

At this DOCUDAYS event, Razom Cinema lead Polina Buchak shares how Ukrainian films like 20 Days in Mariupol reach U.S. audiences, build strategic partnerships, and shape global perceptions.
🔗 https://docudays.ua/industry-accreditation-2025/

June 14 | The Ukrainian Museum, NYC

A Voice for the Future: Lesia Ukrainka and Cassandra

Discover how Lesia Ukrainka’s timeless feminist and anti-imperial drama Cassandra is being brought to the stage today. Featuring a talk by scholar Dr. Tamara Hundorova and a panel with the upcoming production team.

🔗 https://bit.ly/43DYmd5

June 17 | DROM, NYC
Enver Izmaylov: Crimean Tatar Jazz Fusion
A rare U.S. performance by the world-renowned guitarist blending Crimean Tatar folk with jazz and improvisation.
🔗https://bit.ly/45wE3Ry

June 21 – November 2 | Lviv, Ukraine
The Stammering Circle at Jam Factory Art Center
A major international group exhibition exploring collective memory and interrupted cultural legacies — a highlight of the summer art season in Ukraine.
🔗 https://bit.ly/43TS7TR

June 25 | Sony Hall, NYC
Vopli Vidopliassova x Eugene Hütz (Gogol Bordello)
Ukrainian rock legends join forces with NYC’s punk gypsy icon Eugene Hütz for an electrifying concert.
🔗https://bit.ly/4dELfwW

June 26–29 | Carpathian Mountains, Ukraine

RUTA Annual Conference: Imagination, New Visions, and Connections

A vibrant gathering of Ukrainian scholars, creatives, and community builders exploring bold ideas, new visions, and cross-disciplinary connections.

🔗https://ruta-association.org/conference/imagination-new-visions-and-connections/

Together, we stand with Ukraine. 🇺🇦

Following the liberation of Kherson Oblast west of the Dnipro River in November 2022, the world has learned that the Russian grip is breakable. Local communities were saved from the cruel hands of the occupiers—but not from the relentless shelling launched by the Russian forces based on the temporarily occupied east bank. Due to the proximity of Russian positions just across the river, locals have as little as 40 seconds to hide, but often the missile arrives in the blink of an eye. Civilians are also not safe from drone attacks, the so-called “human safari,” recognized by the UN Commission as a crime against humanity. In addition to aerial attacks, people still have to deal with the aftermath of the Kakhovka Dam destruction caused by Russian forces in June 2023. While towns downstream were flooded—resulting in death toll and landscape devastation—those upstream faced serious water supply issues.

Mylove is located upstream of the drained Kakhovka reservoir. Submitted by Mylove Hromada.

Living with limited critical infrastructure is tough and demotivating, but despite all odds, Ukrainians do not give up. With support from Razom, Kherson region’s Hromadas keep the spirit of unity and continue to resist. While Russia aims to destroy Ukrainian cities, grassroots organizations in Dariivka and Bilozerka Hromadas create new opportunities for all community members, rebuild, and find ways to stay connected.

Volunteers who rebuild and strengthen unity

NGO Moya Khersonshchyna, in collaboration with local authorities, created Dobrobat, two volunteer groups formed in the Dariivka Hromada with a mission to mitigate the consequences of the invasion without external help. While retreating, the Russians took all the equipment with them — even the buckets, leaving the community without any means to take care of the Hromada. Over the course of six months, this initiative has helped 613 households across nine frontline towns and improved the quality of life for 2,021 residents and internally displaced people (IDPs). Razom provided a grant to equip the brigades with tractors, trailers, lawnmowers, and tools for providing rapid assistance to the community. They stabilize and repair homes after shelling, help households prepare for winter, fix roads, clean public spaces, and create places for community leisure.

Dobrobat volunteers building a public gazebo, restoring a damaged roof, and fixing water pumps. Submitted by NGO Moya Khersonshchyna.

“Thank you for your support, for not leaving me alone during a difficult time in Dariivka,” said Tetiana Chernetska, IDP, whose home was damaged as a result of an airstrike. “Thanks to the Dobrobat team for fixing our roof, boarding up the windows, and clearing the debris. It was a very hard time for us—my husband was in the hospital, and I couldn’t do anything on my own. I am truly grateful!”

Dobrobat brigades bring more than just tools—their arrival helps residents hold on to hope for the future and reminds them they are not left alone with their challenges. Moya Khersonshchyna plans to continue helping the residents as demand keeps rising. The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam posed a threat of severe water shortage in the Dariivka Hromada. Two-thirds of the impacted households requested reparation of the water supply network. Moya Hersonshchyna is looking to scale the project to reconstruct 10 wells and install water towers to benefit the community in the long run.

Light in the darkest hour

Power outages are a common occurrence across the country, as Russia is trying to disconnect Ukrainians from each other and provoke fear. Communities close to the front line spend days, sometimes weeks, without electricity. The NGO Kosmos Tabir found an innovative way to overcome challenging circumstances and provide locals with a means to not only keep their phones charged at all times, but also access public services whenever needed.

With the support of Razom, Kosmos Tabir initiated the installation of solar hybrid power systems at 18 administrative and public buildings across Tiahynka, Bilozerka, and Dariivka Hromadas, benefiting more than 10,000 civilians. This solution allows local city councils, resilience centers, schools, post offices, and hospitals to operate up to 8 hours during outages. The results of the project were immediately visible in Dariivka. Thanks to alternative energy, the city council was able to resume its work, and residents and IDPs finally received their pensions, financial support, and salaries.

NGO Kosmos Tabir representatives delivering solar panels and inverters to Dariivka, Bilozeka, and Tyahynka Hromadas. Photo by Kosmos Tabir.

Kosmos Tabir is training electricians to install and upkeep the systems, enabling villages to manage them independently. Since volunteers’ cargo vans are often targets of Russian drones, in many instances, having locals take care of panels is a safer and smarter strategy. Kosmos Tabir is in regular contact with electricians to assist with any questions and is planning to hold a workshop for technicians, emergency service workers, and volunteers to teach solar system maintenance skills.

A get-together place for all

NGO Lymanetska Diia has created a Center for Civil Activities in Lymanets, Dariivka Hromada, which offers a variety of services for residents, IDPs, and youth. Some come here to use the computers and printers, others to get assistance with documents, and the rest—to participate in the workshops and spend time with friends. The center was created thanks to a grant provided by Razom.

Zinaida Ivanenko, 72, was forced to leave her home because of Russian aggression and moved to Lymanets. She arrived with nothing but bare essentials. Her daughter is far away and her son serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“It was hard to get in touch and communicate with them [my children]. I was left completely alone,” Ivanenko said. “I want to sincerely thank those who opened the community center. There, they taught me how to call my children via messengers—now I can at least see them on the screen. They also explained what kind of support IDPs can receive and helped me apply for it. They photocopied and scanned all the documents I needed. It’s also very nice that I now have a place to spend my free time and talk to others my age. I especially appreciated when medical professionals came and explained what services are available at our clinic. The staff at the center always treated me warmly and kindly.”

Center for Civil Activities hosts workshops and assists senior residents. Photo by NGO Lymanetska Diia.

Nataliia Olefir, a 69-year-old retired primary school teacher, Lymanets local, could not afford to install internet at home or purchase a computer. When the digital literacy center opened in the Lymanets Starostat, she became a regular visitor.

“The sessions are interesting and meaningful: training, expert talks, computer skills lessons, and free internet access. But, most importantly, it’s a place for connection—with people and like-minded individuals,” Olefir said.

The biggest hurdle for the project is air raids. Luckily, the center has the necessary equipment to continue sessions in the underground shelter.

Bringing warmth to those who need it most

Bilozerka Center for Regional Development ensures that the community’s vulnerable population stays warm and comfortable during the cold months, as many are unable to leave their homes for various reasons. Due to constant shelling, residents live without electricity, gas, or water for weeks. With the support of Razom, the Bilozerka Center for Regional Development provided winter kits to 150 people, who were unable to afford basic items themselves—individuals with disabilities and limited mobility, and elderly citizens living alone.

Residents received winter kits consisting of a set of linens, an electric blanket, a pillow, incontinence products, a lamp, and wet wipes. Photo by Bilozerka Center for Regional Development.

Stefaniia Bonchkovska is a person with limited mobility, originally from the village of Pravdyne, where she had lived for over seventy years. Her home was partially burned as a result of the invasion, so her family was forced to move into another house. Due to intensified shelling and destruction, they eventually relocated to Bilozerka, where friends offered them a place to stay, and she now lives there with her daughter and grandson.

“I want to thank the Bilozerka Center for Regional Development for calling us, asking about our needs, and providing both food and non-food assistance,” Bonchkovska said. “I am also deeply grateful to the charitable organization Razom for the winter kit, which has been a great support for me. The most valuable item for me is the electric blanket—it keeps me warm during this cold season. Thank you so much! May God protect you.”

Thanks to you, Razom Relief continues to support grassroots organizations in Kherson Oblast, helping war-affected towns regain the ability to function independently and nurture unity within their communities. Your support enables us to keep working toward restoring dignity and comfort to Ukrainians who have been deprived of it.

Author: Svitlana Ramer

Razom Recommends: June Events

Living and Dreaming Amid Constant Danger: How Razom Supports Kherson Oblast Communities