We present to you the pilot issue of the digital magazine “VATRA,” dedicated to Ukrainian culture and art. In this publication, we share historical facts, analyze current events, and predict future developments.

Кожного разу, коли ти проходиш через підземний перехід, щоразу, коли опиняєшся на вокзалі, ти не помічаєш найголовнішого – це людей, які тебе оточують. Люди з непевною долею сплять на землі практично під твоїми ногами… а ти просто проходиш повз них… 

Анастасія Корогодова – акторка, волонтерка та просто цікава особистість. Їй двадцять два, вона живе акторською діяльністю. Нещодавно Анастасія повернулася з Парижа, де навчалася в одній з найкращих акторських шкіл. Метою акторки є пошук творчих можливостей та успіху в Україні.
Ми вирішили запитати її про акторство, український театр, кіно та майбутнє українського мистецтва.

Ksenia Kharaman began her artistic career in Donetsk, a city that has left an indelible mark on her heart. However, turbulent events and hostilities forced her to leave her home. This is the story of the Ukrainian artist who became a volunteer and coordinator of the «Restoration of the Donetsk Region Stele» project.

Look, spoil tip! I said that after encountering each one on my way. They laughed because they were taking me home. The story of the first flight to her home region during the war, of joining a volunteer organisation and of pockets full of coal.

Olya is an exceptionally talented, multifaceted individual who shares her story of Ukrainian resistance to russian aggression. She actively volunteers by raising funds for the military, and writes poems that reflect her deep love for Ukraine. Olha’s creative pseudonym «krylata ryba» symbolizes her dreamy and creative nature, which strives to create beauty even in the most difficult times. Poetry is her personal therapy, helping her cope with pain and emotions, and restoring her inspiration to live and fight.

Volodymyr Krutevych originally from the town of Kremenets in the Ternopil region and he is 21 years old now. He has been volunteering since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The young man has made over 50 trips to the front line and has also visited most of the de-occupied territories in more than two years of war.
Despite numerous risks and dangers, he delivers the most essential items to military and civilians: food, medicine, clothes, equipment, etc. Volodymyr believes that we must withstand the enemy’s offensive and constantly help our defenders and Ukrainians in need.
The hero of our story brings back emotional photos that capture what he saw from each mission. We spoke with Volodymyr Krutevych about the “backstage” of volunteering, war photography, and the impact of the war on his morale in the home front.

Volodymyr Krutevych, a 21-year-old volunteer from Ternopil region, has made dozens of visits to the most dangerous areas of the front, where he delivers aid to Ukrainian defenders. The volunteer also takes care of civilian citizens in de-occupied territories and places close to the line of contact. From the first days of russian invasion, the young man has been capturing the moments he sees on camera: destroyed settlements, remnants of military equipment, explosion craters, emotions of war victims. His footage leaves no one indifferent. We talked with Volodymyr Krutevych about people who don’t leave their homes even despite mortal danger, the role of photography, and resisting harmful narratives spread by the enemy.

In Portugal resides 21-year-old Sophie, a Ukrainian volunteer who was forced to leave Kyiv due to the full-scale Russian invasion. Today, she is actively developing the Ukrainian community in Portugal, garnering resources to support the Ukrainian army. Together with her friends, Sophie has already raised over 18 million hryvnias (430k+ USD) to aid Ukraine and considers this just the beginning. In this article, we will learn about Sophie’s adaptation in Portugal, her life in the diaspora, as well as the development of Ukrainian business, creativity, and volunteering through the eyes of a young activist.

Sophie, who was forced to move to Portugal due to Russian aggression, has turned her daily life into a platform for supporting Ukrainian soldiers. In the second part of her interview for Truthful Reporting, she shares her volunteer journey and efforts to promote Ukrainian culture, from her initial events to successful fundraisers. Her meticulous planning and effective communication have helped raise over 18 million hryvnias (430k+ USD) in aid for Ukraine. Sophie shares her experiences, instructions for effective fundraising, and future plans, urging active support and cooperation to aid Ukraine.

Перші пісні Абіє почали з’являтись на Spotify у 2022-2023 роках. Багато людей вперше почули про Абіє під час Нацвідбору, захопившись її промовою та піснею, що торкалась історій жінок з досвідом сексуального насилля. Ми вирішили більше дізнатися про становлення Абіє як феміністки, її творчість та Нацвідбір.

У національному центрі «Український дім» у Києві відбулося відкриття виставки «І побачив я» фотографа Олександра Глядєлова.

Документальний фільм «Ілюзія тихої ночі» через особисті історії передає досвід життя українців під час війни. Стрічка формує багатошаровий портрет країни, де повсякденність існує поруч із реальністю бойових дій.