International Orthopaedic Conference: Advancements in Trauma and Arthroplasty

Published: February 1, 2024   

Friday, March 29 – Saturday, March 30, 2024

Join us for a comprehensive two-day conference for orthopedic surgeons interested in expanding their knowledge in trauma and arthroplasty. Our panel of speakers is composed of international, national, and regional experts in their respective fields. The conference will encompass a wide array of topics crucial to modern orthopedic practice, including amputations, upper and lower extremity injuries, complex fractures, total joint replacements and more. A dedicated segment will focus on discussing challenging cases that participants submit prior to the conference. A selection of surgeries will be live-streamed in English and Ukrainian with the operating surgeons available to answer questions.

Location:

Hosted by the First Medical Union of Lviv St. Panteleimon Hospital and Unbroken Rehabilitation Center in partnership with Razom for Ukraine

Located in the Clinical Municipal Communal Emergency Hospital Conference Hall at Ivan Mykolaichuk St, 9, Lviv, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine, 79000

 

Directors:

Dr. Craig Silverton, Orthopedic Surgeon at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI
Dr. Vasyl Rokyta, Head of Traumatology and Orthopedic Department First Medical Union of Lviv St. Panteleimon Hospital

Schedule:

  • Friday, March 29, 2024: Presentations with Clinical Case Discussions in the Afternoon
  • Saturday, March 30, 2024: Live Surgery with available Ukrainian translation

Arthroplasty Topics: 

  • Unicompartmental knee replacement update.
  • Extensile exposures during hip arthroplasty.
  • Unicompartmental versus High tibial osteotomy in the athlete.
  • Periprosthetic fractures; best options for stable fixation.

Trauma Topics:

To be announced

Speakers:

To be announced

Participants:

  • Ukrainian surgeons with a specialty or interest in orthopedic trauma or arthroplasty.
  • In-person maximum of 180 participants with an unlimited maximum of online participants.
  • The conference will be held in English with Ukrainian translation.

For in-person participants, registration includes: entry to conference presentations, case discussions, and conference space with the ability to ask questions during live surgery, refreshments, and lunch for the two conference days, certificate accreditation from Unbroken.

 

For virtual participants, registration includes: access to all presentations, case discussions, and access link to live surgeries. e-certificate for presentation and participation.

Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided by the conference for both days. Please book your own travel and accommodations to the conference, those will not be included.

Register Now

By enrolling for the conference, you hereby acknowledge and accept the following terms and conditions:

The organization reserves the right to modify the program, date, and/or venue of the conference at any time without prior notice. The organization is absolved of responsibility for any loss or damage arising from substitution, alteration, postponement, or cancellation of the event due to causes beyond its control. The organization retains the right and holds sole discretion to cancel any conference at any time in the event of unavoidable and unforeseeable circumstances. In the event of cancellation, the organization will make reasonable and suitable alternative arrangements, such as posting the cancellation on the official event website to inform those who have booked arrangements for the event.

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

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What to Read and See about Ukraine and Ukrainians in 2024

Published: January 18, 2024   

A Journey Through Ukrainian Literature

Explore a rich array of Ukrainian books already translated into English, supported by Razom. 

From Volodymyr Rafeyenko’s Mondegreen and his magical realism novel The Length of Days, exploring the annexation of Donetsk, to captivating works by other Ukrainian literary giants like Serhiy Zhadan, Andriy Kurkov, and Oksana Litsyshyna, as well as non-fiction accounts by Stanislav Aseyev, Serhiy Zhadan, and Andriy Kurkov. If you enjoyed “20 Days in Mariupol,” delve into the novel by its director, Mstyslav Chernov, titled The Dreamtime.

Olena Stiazhkina’s books.

Cecile the Lion Had To Die, a novel about the four Donetsk families and two generations, the last Soviet one and the first Ukrainian one. This book was Razom Book Club’s favorite read in 2021, which is why we extended a grant to publish it. This novel has already been taught in a few U.S. universities and received great marks by students and professors. Also, Olena’s diary of Russia’s 2014 take over of Donetsk was published for the first time in English. It was originally written in Russian, but the author decided not to publish it in the original language.

Pre-order copies of both books.

New Translations of Lesia Ukrainka

The modernist Ukrainian writer Lesia Ukrainka (pen name of Larysa Kosach-Kvitka) pioneered a new feminist literature at the forefront of European trends of the time. Born in 1871, her dramas, poetry and prose address concerns ranging from gender and race to feminism and environmentalism. 

Harvard University Press is publishing a new translation of Cassandra, a dramatic poem and a translation of Forest Song by Razom’s frequent collaborators Virlana Tkacz and Wanda Phipps  of Yara Arts. Cassandra has already played to great reviews in London in 2021, and Yara Arts staged Forest Song online during the Covid quarantine (available online).

 

Yaroslav Trofimov

Immerse yourself in the riveting firsthand account of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine capturing the heroism and resilience of the Ukrainian people, as recounted by Yaroslav Trofimov, Wall Street Journal’s Chief Foreign Correspondent. The title, Our Enemies Will Vanish, comes from Ukraine’s national hymn.

Artem Chapaye

A stunning debut collection by Artem Chapaye, a Ukrainian writer currently defending his country in Kyiv. 

His collection, featuring the celebrated title story The Ukraine, published in the New Yorker in 2022, offers irreverent, tender, uncomfortable and inconvenient narratives.

Other Anticipated Books in 2024

Look forward to new translations of Andriy Kurkov’s novels, Artem Chech’s And Who are You?, Oksana Lutsyshyna’s Love Life, classics by Valerian Pidmohilny and Mike Iohanssen, and a sweeping Second World War novel depicting Kyiv under occupation by Oleksiy Nikitin.

A Journey Through Ukrainian Cinema

20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL

This powerful, award-winning documentary directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning Ukrainian journalist Mstyslav Chernov,  is one of the “musts” to watch and spread the word about. 

This year, “20 Days in Mariupol” made history for Ukraine by getting on the shortlist for the Academy Awards in two categories – International Feature and Documentary Feature.

 

Razom is proud to partner with 

FRONTLINE |  PBS in bringing this documentary to universities around the U.S. through our Ukraine on Campus program. 

If you are a student, professor, staff at a university and would like to participate, reach out to info@razomforukraine.org and stay tuned for announcements!

 

In the meantime, catch the film online and spread the word!

Watch:  20 Days in Mariupol (full documentary) | FRONTLINE and The Associated Press 

pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/20-days-in-mariupol

 For more updates and where to catch the film next, see

20daysinmariupol.com

IN THE REARVIEW

Another documentary that entered the Razom Cinema network is Polish/Ukrainian/French collaboration called “In The Rearview”. Behind this award-winning film is a small team of filmmakers who put their lives on hold to help Ukraine and ended up documenting the journey. “In The Rearview” is a collection of stories that director Maciek Hamela recorded during his volunteer rescue expeditions to evacuate people from different regions in Ukraine to safety. In the recent Q&A after the screening, producer Anna Palenchuk shared that she and her family had to leave Bucha around the same time as Maciek’s rescue missions. “I could’ve been one of his passengers”, said Anna. Razom supported the documentary during the OSCAR 2024 campaign as it is another Ukrainian story in the run for the nominations. 

 

Follow their social media channels for the latest on upcoming screenings: https://www.instagram.com/intherearview.film/

 

If you are interested in bringing this film to your community, give us a shout!

A RISING FURY

Razom had the pleasure to support the production of “A Rising Fury”, which is now a critically acclaimed and 96th Academy Award longlisted feature documentary about the Russo-Ukrainian War.  Directed/produced by Lesya Kalynska and Ruslan Batytskyi, produced by TJ Collins and Jonathan Borge Lie, the film reveals the true untold story of how the Russo-Ukrainian war began in 2014. It’s a story about love, revolution, deception, and war filmed for nearly 10 years through intimate verité material. The filmmaking  team has plans to make the documentary available to stream to the public in the U.S. and abroad in late spring 2024.

Mark your calendar – “A Rising Fury” will have a special screening in LA at TCL Chinese Theater on February 22, 2024 at 3:30PM and 7:00PM. For more information about the film and what’s next for the team, go to https://arisingfury.com/

RULE OF TWO WALLS

In Summer 2023, Razom provided a grant to the documentary team “Rule of Two Walls” to help bring their team and Ukrainian artists featured in the documentary to attend the World Premiere of the film at the Tribeca Film Festival. Since then, the documentary traveled across other prestigious film festivals and will screen in Australia at the Antenna Documentary Film Festival in February.

 

 Executive produced by Liev Schreiber, the film gives an insight into the lives of Ukrainian artists who create art as a defiant act in the face of aggression. 

 

Follow the film page on instagram https://www.instagram.com/ruleoftwowallsfilm/

KLONDIKE

After becoming the first Ukrainian filmmaker to receive the Sundance Award in World Cinema Dramatic Competition in 2022, Maryna Er Gorbach and her film “Klondike” collected various international awards and were Ukraine’s submission to the OSCARS 2022. This past Summer, “Klondike” had its U.S. theatrical release at the Angelika theater. Razom supported the film with a grant during its Oscars campaign.

You can now watch the film online!

Apple TV

Prime video 

A BLIND GAME / ГРА В СЛІПОТУ

Ruslan Batytskyi with Anna Borysova  created powerful videos that documented Razom’s work and its impact on the ground in Ukraine. Their short documentary highlights the resilience and unbreakable spirit of sportsmen with disabilities – their undying motivation and belief in themselves. You can watch the full film on YouTube for free. 

A HOUSE MADE OF SPLINTERS

Another Razom supported film that made noise at the OSCARS 2023 after being nominated for Best Documentary Feature is the film directed by Simon Lereng Wilmont, co-produced by Ukrainian producers Darya Bassel and Vika Khomenko. The film follows the lives of children and the caregivers in an orphanage in Eastern Ukraine as the war in the region takes a heavy toll on families living nearby. 

Razom helped assure there is a strong Ukrainian representation at the Oscars by providing a travel grant for the producers and caregivers featured in the documentary. 

You can now watch the film on Apple TV

UKRAINIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL

If you didn’t get the chance to attend the film screenings during UCF this past fall, you are able to catch some of them on TAKFLIX – Ukraine’s first streaming service of all things Ukrainian Cinema. 

Feature Film:

Pamfir: https://www.takflix.com/en/films/pamfir

Short Films:

Liturgy of Anti-tanks Obstacles: When Ukrainian Artists Prepare for War | Liturgy of Anti-Tank Obstacles | The New Yorker Documentary

I Didn’t Want To Make A War Film: I Did Not Want to Make a War Film | The New Yorker Documentary

Call Me Anytime, I’m Not Leaving The House: https://www.pbs.org/pov/films/callmeanytimeimnotleavingthehouse/ 

Diaper Cake: https://www.takflix.com/en/films/diaper-cake

Golden Leggings: https://www.takflix.com/en/films/gkchp

FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM 

Join us for a special screening of Evgeny Afineevsky’s documentary “Freedom on Fire” at the United Nations on February 20, 2024 at 6:30PM. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for further announcements!

VESELKA – DOCUMENTARY

These dear friends of Razom are not only celebrating their 70th anniversary, but also the world premiere of documentary film “Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World” at Village East cinema.

VESELKA | Official Trailer (2024)

Join us on February 23, 2024 to support Veselka, their team, and their generational impact on the community.

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

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

 

Дивимось і  читаймо Українське Разом!

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

Razom Congratulates Ukrainian Films in the Running for the 2024 Oscars

Published: December 22, 2023   

Razom Congratulates Ukrainian Films in the Running for the 2024 Oscars

 

December 21st brought us the long awaited news of shortlisted films for the 2024 Oscars (Academy Awards). Razom is celebrating the incredible accomplishments of every Ukrainian story that became a contender for an Oscar, and those that went on to fill up the slots on the shortlist for the award. Over the years, Razom Cinema has supported films that amplify Ukrainian voices and center stories from Ukraine, and this year we congratulate all of our filmmakers not only on this accomplishment, but also for the impactful work that led to this point. 

SHORTLISTED FILMS

20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL

Trailer: 20 Days In Mariupol (trailer) | FRONTLINE

Synopsis: An AP team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggle to continue their work documenting atrocities of the Russian invasion. As the only international reporters who remain in the city, they capture what later become defining images of the war: dying children, mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital, and more. (20daysinmariupol.com)

 

“20 Days in Mariupol” is shortlisted for the Documentary Feature category as well as the International Feature category, where it represents Ukraine. Razom, along with other partners, has supported the film during its U.S. theatrical release, as well as helping bring the documentary to various communities around the U.S. This film is currently available to watch online (U.S. territory) on YouTube as well as PBS Frontline. 

IN THE REARVIEW

Trailer: IN THE REARVIEW Trailer | TIFF 2023

Synopsis: In the Rearview is an authentic, intimate observation of war as it unfolds, following multiple generations of Ukrainian civilians as they abruptly abandon their homes and rely on the help of director Maciek Hamela’s volunteer aid van to escape the life-threatening conflict. As he steers through minefields to leave Ukraine and tries to get through numerous military checkpoints, Hamela offers us a seat in his car, guiding the documentary from behind the wheel and behind the camera, crisscrossing the roads of Ukraine to transport uprooted refugees safely to Poland. The van traverses tens of thousands of kilometers and serves as a waiting room, hospital, shelter, and zone for confidences and confessions among compatriots thrown together by chance. (intherearview.eu)

 

“In the Rearview” is shortlisted for the Documentary Feature category. Razom provided a grant to the film team in order to support their screenings in key cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, which were part of the Oscar campaign. Keep an eye out for more screenings in the new year!

OSCAR 2024 QUALIFIERS FROM RAZOM CINEMA

A RISING FURY

Trailer: “A Rising Fury” | Trailer | Stockholm International Film Festival 2022

Synopsis: “A RISING FURY” follows two hopeful Ukrainian idealists from the peaceful protest in Kyiv in 2013 to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Pavlo and Svitlana met and fell in love at the Maidan Revolution and were filmed nearly 10 years with several expeditions to the frontlines of the war. When Russia invaded Crimea and Donbas in 2014, Pavlo lost his family home and joined the Ukrainian military effort. To defend his nation, he engages in deadly firefights against former friends and a close military instructor who join Russian forces. As Svitlana transports food and medical supplies, both find themselves on the battle lines, protecting their land, democracy, and their relationship. This film reveals the true untold story of how the Russo-Ukrainian war began nearly 10 years ago. (arisingfury.com)

 

“A Rising Fury” recently had an incredible US theatrical release in NYC (watch a conversation between director Lesya Kalynska and Professor Timothy Snyder). This came after their successful festival run that started from Tribeca Film Festival in 2022. Razom is proud to have supported the making of this vital film that shines light and provides insight into the beginning of this nearly ten-year war while following the heroic journey of Pavlo.

SUNFLOWER FIELD

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/882754612

Synopsis: Under the shadowy threat of war, a young Ukrainian girl awaits a call from her father. As she waits, the day turns into night and she sinks into various dreamscapes from which she must find her way home. 

 

“Sunflower Field” just recently wrapped its festival journey – taking home the award for Best Short Animation from Oscar-qualifying Woodstock Film Festival. Razom provided support with community engagement where the filmmaker was also able to connect with several Ukrainian schools in different states to not only screen the animation, but also engage with Ukrainian children by inviting them to become part of the animation.

Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements on how to catch these films and more! In the meantime, we urge you to connect with your local theaters, art institutions, and other locations where you could potentially host a screening of one of these films (or reach out if you’re looking for more). Together, we can prove to cultural programmers that Ukrainian stories are necessary and that there is a large audience ready for them.


Дивимось Українське Разом!

Razom Culture 

Empowering Tomorrow’s (and Today’s) Leaders: A Recap of Our Ukraine on Campus Stipend Program at ASEEES 2023

Published: December 15, 2023   

Against the backdrop of academia,  in particular, Slavic and Eastern European Studies reckoning with the need to decolonize and decenter Russian narratives in higher education, Razom’s Ukraine on Campus stipend program helped bring  five students  to the 55th annual convention of the Association for Slavic, East European, & Eurasian Studies (ASEEES) in Philadelphia, from November 30 – December 3. The selected students came from different backgrounds, academic concentrations, and connections to Ukraine, but each leveraged their attendance at the Convention to bring new energy and ideas to efforts around progressing the study of Ukraine and creating sustainable opportunities for engaging with Ukraine across U.S. university campuses. 

 

In addition to stipends, Ukraine on Campus created spaces where attendees could build community, find overlap in their work, and coordinate ways in which they can collaborate in their studies and academic careers. On top of the extensive ASEEES schedule, the project hosted a number of Ukraine on Campus engagements and promoted specific segments of the ASEEES program to help give stipend recipients, local students, and interested academics the opportunity to connect as they take on decolonizing their fields and championing the study of Ukraine.

Decolonizing the Academic Landscape: Ukraine at ASEEES

 

The ASEEES Convention provided a platform for 37 academics, researchers, and professors from Ukrainian institutions to present their work. Many other academics from around the United States and the world also attended to discuss their research on Ukraine. With a staggering 220 panels, roundtables, and other events featuring or including Ukraine, attendees were immersed in a rich tapestry of Ukrainian academia, literature, and film. Programming about Ukraine and by Ukrainians saw incredible turnout, with attendees sitting on floors and standing in hallways outside of the conference rooms to hear and engage with Ukrainian voices.

Who They Are: Ukraine on Campus Stipend Recipients

 

Five students, across all degree levels, were selected as stipend recipients:

  • William Ronald Debnam, Columbia University, pursuing a PhD in Ukrainian Studies and instructor of Elementary Ukrainian
  • Anastasiia Pereverten, University of Wyoming, pursuing a B.A. in International Studies
  • Viktoriia Savchuk, University of Maryland, pursuing a PhD in Communications
  • Oleksii Shebanov, Brown University, pursuing an A.B. in Intellectual History & Slavic Studies
  • Iryna Tofan, New York University, pursuing an MA  in Museum Studies

 

Razom also supported local students in engaging with the ASEEES 2023 program and attending academics, researchers, and voices on Ukraine. Through our programming, students were able to connect one-on-one with experts and community leaders such as Emily Channell-Justice, Serhii Plokhy, Olena Lennon, Bishop Borys Gudziak, Volodymyr Sheiko, Halyna Hryn, Vitaly Chernetsky, Sophia Wilson, and many other academics from Ukraine and beyond. Viktoriia also presented during 3 panels and stipend recipients were often the first to ask questions and engage in discourse in and around the panel discussions.

Victory Reads: Olena Stiazhkina

 

Another highlight of the convention was the collaboration between Razom and the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI). Razom, in partnership with HURI, organized a compelling book talk featuring Olena Stiazhkina, attracting  a full auditorium and showcasing the appetite for engaging discussions around Ukrainian contemporary literature. Stiazhkina, whose recent book tour in NYC Razom proudly amplified, discussed her two forthcoming books to be published in English in 2024:Ukraine, War, Love and Cecil the Lion Had to Die, which was translated with the support of Razom Translates. 

Local Spotlight: University of Pennsylvania

 

The Ukraine on Campus team, advisors, and stipend recipients had the opportunity to visit the University of Pennsylvania and join the Ukrainian Student Association at Penn for Ukrainian Tea Time on campus. Ukrainian Tea Time, hosted by professor of Ukrainian language, Kseniia Power, was an opportunity for cross-campus engagement between Ukrainian language instructors, student leaders on their respective campuses, and young academics studying Ukraine and interested in engaging with ASEEES to decolonize the field. 

Ukraine on Campus: Stipends & Beyond

 

Razom’s Ukraine on Campus project was pleased to offer travel stipends to students who were interested in attending this year’s ASEEES Convention. Travel grants were available to partially offset the costs of Convention attendance. The project, which features a directory of 60+ Ukrainian student groups across U.S. university campuses, is a developing initiative focused on connecting students interested in championing Ukraine and mobilizing the resources they need to activate their campuses in support of a Ukrainian victory. Its goal is to engage student activism both on campus and beyond through conferences, event tours, and more.

 

To support initiatives such as Ukraine on Campus as well as all the work that Razom is doing to support a secure, prosperous and democratic Ukraine, please donate HERE.

Support Razom

Restoring Hope: Razom’s Co-Pilot Project Brings VNS Therapy to Ukraine

Published: November 30, 2023   

In the fight against epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, the Co-Pilot Project, an initiative under the auspices of Razom Health, has emerged as a beacon of hope for children in Ukraine. Through a generous grant from LivaNova, the leading producer of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) systems, Co-Pilot has brought this life-changing therapy to Ukraine, offering a lifeline to children whose seizures have proven resistant to conventional treatment methods.

 

The Power of VNS Therapy

VNS therapy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, involves implanting a small device called a neurostimulator under the skin, connected to the vagus nerve. This nerve, which runs from the brain to the abdomen, plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including seizure activity. The neurostimulator sends mild electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, helping to reduce seizure frequency and severity.

VNS is currently most commonly used for children who have partial seizures that do not respond to traditional interventions.

 

In Lviv, Ukraine, Mykhailo Lovga, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery  at the First Medical Union, has successfully implemented the VNS system, bringing relief to six epileptic children. The first two surgeries, for Oleksandra from Mykolaiv and Denys from Dnipro, have been resounding successes.

Denys, a 9-year-old boy, has battled epilepsy since the age of three. Despite numerous medications and brain surgery, his seizures persisted. VNS therapy has offered him a renewed chance to live a normal life. Within three weeks of the operation, Denys has experienced a significant reduction in seizure activity.

In Kyiv, Konstantin Kostiuk, MD, PHD, Chief of Neurosurgery at the Romodanov Neurosurgery Institute, has introduced VNS therapy to a 10-year-old boy named Roman. Roman’s epilepsy, characterized by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, has proven resistant to conventional treatments, including over ten anti-seizure medications and a ketogenic diet. VNS therapy represents another ray of hope for Roman, and the team is anticipating positive outcomes in the coming months.

The Co-Pilot Project’s success in implementing VNS therapy in Ukraine is a testament to the power of partnership and innovation. Working closely with local medical experts, Co-Pilot has ensured that these life-changing treatments reach the children who need them most.

Your support is crucial in enabling Co-Pilot to continue its work of providing life-changing medical care to children in Ukraine. Please consider donating to Razom and help us bring hope to those who need it most.

Together, we can make a difference.

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

Celebrating Ukrainian Culture: Highlights from the New York Ukrainian Cultural Festival

Published: November 22, 2023   

Celebrating Ukrainian Culture: Highlights from the New York Ukrainian Cultural Festival

 

This year’s inaugural festival, founded by Razom in partnership with Yara Arts, the Shevchenko Scientific Society and the Ukrainian Institute of America, took place from November 7 – 19 in New York City. It was dedicated to the memory of renowned Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina, who tragically lost her life this past June when Kramatorsk was attacked.

 

“We decided to hold a cultural festival in New York to preserve her memory and the cause she was passionate about, the New York Literary Festival that she founded. Amplifying Ukrainian voices and cultural diplomacy here in the States are core principles of Razom’s mission, which we wanted to advance with this initiative. In general, over a thousand people connected with the festival, many of whom were not Ukrainian,” shared Razom Board member, Maria Genkin.

 

Various cultural events took place in Manhattan during the festival that focused on Ukrainian literature, music and cinema.


“We included a diverse range of films, opening with ‘Dovbush’ and hosting a packed evening with a selection of short films, concluding with ‘Pamfir’ receiving a standing ovation,” explained Polina Buchak, film curator at Razom.

Four events were dedicated to Ukrainian poetry. Poets Alex Averbukh, Boris and Lyudmila Khersonsky, and Iya Kiva read their poetry in the original, while translators or actors read in English. In events produced by Yara Arts Group, poetry from the Executed Renaissance generation of writers, Victoria Amelina, and Serhiy Zhadan, was featured.

In addition, the New York Public Library hosted a meeting with Ukrainian writers. Andrii Kurkov, Oksana Lutsyshyna, and Olena Styazhkina presented their novels published in America this year to over a hundred readers who attended.

During the festival, the public discovered the music of Sergei Bortkiewicz. Musicians Anna Shelest, Pavlo Hintov, and Oleksandr Chaplynsky performed works by this little-known composer born in Kharkiv at the end of the 19th century. 

 

Throughout the festival, organizers raised funds for Amelina’s beloved “New York Literary Festival”. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped organize this extraordinary celebration of Ukrainian culture and to all who attended!

 

 

Stay tuned for more exciting events! To support Razom: https: razomforukraine.org/donate

Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future: Razom and the Holodomor90 Campaign

Published: November 13, 2023   

This year, as the global Ukrainian community marks the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, Razom for Ukraine, has joined with Holodomor90, “an anti-genocide campaign dedicated to raising awareness and commemorating” the man-made famine that killed an untold number of Ukrainians from 1932-1933.

Holodomor is the Ukrainian word for “death by hunger”. Millions of Ukrainians are estimated to have perished this way as a result of Soviet forced, agricultural collectivization policies endorsed and executed by the dictator Josef Stalin, intended to slowly and systematically starve people and eradicate a nation. 

Alongside a host of other mission-aligned partners based in North America, we are working on the stated objectives of raising awareness about this historical trauma so as to never forget, paying tribute to the victims and calling for official designation of the Holodomor as a genocide. 

The Holodomor90 campaign culminates on Holodomor Memorial Day (the annual day of remembrance, every fourth Friday in November). This year, on November 25th, activists and allies alike are urged to light candles – an action known as запали свічку – in memory of the victims. 

Here is how you, dear Razom supporter, can participate:

Sign the Petition for U.S. Genocide Designation

A petition on Change.org has been launched urging U.S. President Biden to issue a proclamation declaring the Holodomor a genocide. The goal is to obtain at least 25,000 signatures by Holodomor Memorial Day 2023. It would be a historic first for a U.S. president to bestow such a designation. 

Mykola Murskyj, Razom’s Director of Advocacy said, “As Ukraine faces aggression from the Kremlin once again, it is paramount that the United States officially acknowledges that the Holodomor was a genocide. This historical recognition is an essential step in preventing such atrocities from happening in the future.”

Write a Blog

The Holodomor90 campaign invites writers of various disciplines and perspectives to contribute to the Holodomor literary space by submitting blog posts. Areas of expertise include: Survivor Stories, Historical Analysis, Research Insights, Artistic Expression, Holodomor Educational Resources, Reflections and Commentary.

#ShineALight

The #ShineALight campaign encourages individuals and groups to post “selfie” images or videos to their social media during the month of November. In these videos, participants can share their thoughts on why it is important to recognize the Holodomor as a genocide and express their solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Purchase a Holodomor Sunflower Candle

The Sunflower Holodomor candle, created by Razom’s generous corporate partner Door County Candle Co., is now available on its website  www.doorcountycandle.com.The candle comes in a 16 oz. jar and features a sunflower yellow wax with a vanilla scent. It  stands as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity with those who suffered and 100% of the profits from the candle will be donated to Razom for Ukraine

Hold or Join a Candlelight Vigil 

On Saturday, November 25, 2023, candlelight vigils will be held worldwide to honor the victims of the Holodomor. Joining a vigil near you is a meaningful way to pay tribute to those who perished and to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian community.

Inspire the Future!

By participating in the #ShineALight movement, attending candlelight vigils, and supporting other Holodomor awareness initiatives, we can collectively honor the memory of those lost during the Holodomor and ensure that their stories are not forgotten. Together, we can illuminate this dark chapter in history and inspire a brighter future for Ukraine.

Razom and Partners Welcome Delegation from the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations

Published: November 8, 2023   

Header image: Delegation with Senator Chuck Grassley 

Razom, in cooperation with Nova Ukraine, HTX4UKRAINE and MedGlobal, recently hosted a delegation of distinguished religious leaders from the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) for advocacy programming in Washington, D.C. and Houston, Texas. 

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) was established in 1996 as an interdenominational institution, aiming to unite the efforts of various denominations to focus on the spiritual revival of Ukraine, coordination of interconfessional dialogue in Ukraine and abroad, participation in a legislative process on church-state issues, and the implementation of comprehensive charitable actions. It is one of the largest nonprofits in Ukraine and represents over 95% of religious communities in Ukraine, including Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities.

During their visit, the delegation engaged in a series of meetings with U.S. government officials, church counterparts, local communities, and media outlets, while also attending a range of public events. 

The delegation shared information and perspectives on the state of religious freedoms in Ukraine and highlighted Russia’s disinformation efforts. They also exchanged insights with their U.S. counterparts, shedding light on how Ukrainian religious communities have responded to Russia’s invasion and the profound impact of Russia’s aggression on religious life within Ukraine. 

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Highlights included:

  • An interfaith panel with the Atlantic Council at the US Institute for Peace, moderated by Marie Yovanovitch, former Ambassador to Ukraine, followed by a USIP private roundtable.
  • A meeting at the State Department with Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain
  • A panel discussion at Hudson Institute moderated by Nina Shea
  • Meeting with USAID, Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova, Senator Chuck Grassley, the Heritage Foundation, ADAMS Center, the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry and more
  • A meeting with Commissioner Eric Ueland and Ex. Dir. Erin Singshinsuk at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
  • A trip to the White House for a meeting with Kelly Razzouk, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Democracy
  • A conversation with the American Jewish Committee, hosted by the Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston
  • A special Ukraine Gratitude Dinner in Houston hosted by Ecclesia Houston Christian Community, featuring Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

 

The visit highlighted the unity and diversity of Ukrainian religious communities in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion, and gave the leaders a chance to spread their message to a wider audience through interviews with the press. 

Press coverage highlights include:

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our partners and friends for engaging with the UCCRO delegation last week and helping us organize this trip!

Razom Supports the Publication of Olena Stiazhkina’s Novel and Forthcoming U.S. Book Tour

Published: November 3, 2023   

Razom has recently supported the publication of Olena Stiazhkina’s novel “Cecil The Lion Had to Die” by Harvard University Press’s HURI Books.

In this novel, Stiazhkina follows the fate of four families as the world around them undergoes radical transformations when the Soviet Union unexpectedly implodes, independent Ukraine emerges, and neo imperial Russia begins its war by occupying Ukraine’s Crimea and parts of the Donbas. Stiazhkina shows how new identities are forged based on distant and recent decisions people make when faced with the situation of a stark choice. Just as Stiazhkina’s own decision to transition to writing in Ukrainian as part of her civic stance—performed between the covers of this book that begins in Russian and ends in Ukrainian—the choices that the members of the four families make, take them in vastly different directions, presenting an image of the Donbas that is multifaceted and nuanced. A tour de force of stylistic registers and intertwining stories, ironic voices and sincere discoveries, this novel is a must read for those who seek to more deeply understand Ukrainians from the Donbas, and how history and local identity have shaped the current war with Russia.

A historian by training, Olena Stiazhkina is a prolific Ukrainian writer and journalist with numerous scholarly publications and eleven books of fiction. Until the occupation of the city of Donetsk, she taught Slavic history at Vasyl Stus National University in Donetsk (1993–2015) and then at Mariupol State University (2015–2016). Her scholarly interests focus on women’s history, life in the Soviet Union, and the history of the Donbas. Since 2016, she has served as the senior research fellow at the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Her works of fiction comprise collections of short stories, novels, and detective stories (under the pen name Olena Iurska). Having written almost exclusively in Russian before, Stiazhkina has been transitioning to writing in Ukrainian following Russia’s 2014 aggression against Ukraine .  


The novel will be published by Harvard University Press in their Havard Library of Ukrainian Literature in the beginning of 2024. Advance copies of “Cecil the Lion had to Die” and “Ukraine War/Love: A Donetsk Diary” will be available at the November  events listed below.

 

Razom is proud to be coordinating this book tour in partnership with other organizations.

  • NOVEMBER 8th BOSTON

Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, 6:00 pm

Pritsak Memorial Library at HURI, 34 Kirkland Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 9th DARTMOUTH 

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 10th YALE

Henry R. Luce Hall LUCE, 203 34 Hillhouse Avenue New Haven,  CT

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 11th NEW YORK

Ukrainian Institute of America, 7:00 pm

The Forest Surrounds Poets event by Yara Arts dedicated to Victoria Amelina

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 13th NEW YORK

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), 6:30 pm

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 14th MARYLAND

NAVAL ACADEMY

  • NOVEMBER 15th DC

Georgetown University

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 16TH DC

Ukraine House, 6:00 pm

Washington, 2134 Kalorama Rd NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 17th NEW YORK

NYU Jordan Center, 5 pm

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 18th SEATTLE

Third Place Books, Ravenna, 7:00 pm

Olena Stiazhkina and Translator Dominique Hoffman

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 20th San Diego

UCSD, 10:00 am

Huerta Vera Cruz Room, Student Center

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 25th Philadelphia

Ukrainian League of Philadelphia, 800 N 23rd St at 7PM

  • NOVEMBER 27th Princeton 

144 Louis A. Simpson International Building, 12 pm

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 29th Penn State

157 Burrowers, Penn State, 4:00 pm

INFO HERE

  • NOVEMBER 30th Philadelphia

ASEEES Conference

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Floor: 5th Floor, Salon C

INFO HERE

Razom’s Ukraine on Campus Project Supports Student Activism Across the Country

Published: November 3, 2023   

(Uliana Storoshchuk / Ukraine Action Summit) 

Pictured, right to left: Svitlana Kukharuk, Ukraine on Campus stipend awardee, Vitalii Svichinskyi, Razom in Ukraine, Oleksa Martiniouk, Ukraine on Campus

Hailing from universities across California, Florida, Iowa, New York, and Wyoming, the first cohort of Ukraine on Campus stipend awardees brought their unique stories and impactful advocacy to the halls of Congress recently. Razom for Ukraine, through the Ukraine on Campus project, was able to support five students in offsetting the cost of attending the third Ukraine Action Summit, which took place October 22-24, 2023. 


The Summit, organized by the American Coalition of Ukraine, of which Razom is a founding member , consisted of panel discussions, collaborative advocacy training, and Congressional meetings on Capitol Hill. The three day event offered students, and constituents at-large, an opportunity to engage with their Congressional Representatives and Senators and develop sustainable relationships with their offices in advancing continued and unwavering support and aid for Ukraine. Student awardees brought their unique perspectives, academic expertise, and personal connections to Ukraine as they sat down with members of Congress and their staff to present legislative remedies to the greatest challenges facing Ukraine and her allies today.

(Uliana Storoshchuk / Ukraine Action Summit) Pictured, left to right: Solomiya Kovalenko (Iowa State University), Svitlana Kukharuk (Bard College), Pournima Narayanan (Stanford University), Oleksandra Nelson (University of Florida), Anastasiia Pereverten (University of Wyoming)

This semester’s cohort of UAS stipend awardees included students from across the country, each displaying highly unique, yet very impactful leadership in championing Ukraine on their campuses and in their local communities. Solomiya Kovalenko, a student at Iowa State University, co-hosts a podcast about Ukraine on the local radio station in Ames, Iowa, in addition to her work with the Ukrainian club there. Svitlana Kukharuk, studying human rights at Bard College, launched the Ukrainian Solidarity Club focused on social, cultural, and activist outreach,after serving as an on-campus ambassador with the Lubetzky Foundation’s Global Democracy Ambassador Scholarship program. Pournima Narayanan, engages students at Stanford and beyond through her work with the Ukraine Support Alliance at Stanford and SUSTA, and makes an impact in the community through TeleHelp Ukraine and Brave Generation‘s MentorUkraine program. Oleksandra Nelson, president of the Ukrainian Student Association at the University of Florida, leads efforts to fundraise, educate, and advocate both on campus and in the Gainesville city community. Anastasiia Pereverten, working on an advocacy-related capstone project for the Honors College at the University of Wyoming after an internship with the New Lines Institute, has championed Ukraine in her small college town with everything from rallies and fundraisers to movie screenings and stickers. 

 

Ukraine on Campus, already a database of 50+ Ukrainian student groups across American university campuses, is a developing project focused on connecting students interested in championing Ukraine and mobilizing the resources they need to activate their campuses in support of a Ukrainian victory. Its goal is to engage student activism both on campus and beyond through conferences, event tours, and more.

Like with the Ukraine Action Summit, Ukraine on Campus will offer a number of travel stipends for students to attend the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Convention this November-December. This year’s theme is decolonization, which is vital to the study of Ukraine.