Ukrainian

While studying abroad in Ukraine, I grew accustomed to watching a TV show called Vidbir on Sunday evenings. The name, Vidbir, refers to “selection” in Ukrainian, which is appropriate as the show itself selects who will represent Ukraine at Eurovision, an annual Europe-wide pop-music contest. This year, the 2020 season of Vidbir featured many good […]

The Sniffer (Нюхач) is a Russian-language detective TV series, produced in Ukraine by the FILM.UA group. The series was originally released on November 11, 2013 on the Ukrainian channel ICTV. The series is about a man with an extraordinary sense of smell. Nicknamed “The Sniffer,” he uses his superhuman sense along with his vast knowledge […]

Servant of the People (Слуга народу) is a Ukrainian political satire comedy TV show, produced by Kvartal 95 Studio and directed by Alexey Kiryushchenko. The premier of the first season was released on November 16, 2015, on the Ukrainian TV channel 1 + 1. As if it was predicting a political phenomenon that will actually […]

A self-described “freak cabaret,” the Dakh Daughters is a Ukrainian music and theater group comprised of seven women who use dramatic make-up, old clothing, and innovative melodies to draw their audiences in. Their name derives from the Dakh Theater, which is closely tied to the group and often hosts concerts for them. The band formed […]

Dimitry Monatyk, known as “Monatik,” (often spelled with Latin letters) is a Ukrainian dancer and singer-songwriter that performs primarily in Russian, and occasionally in English and/or Ukrainian. Born in northwestern Ukrainian city of Lutsk, 1986, Monatik was a member of the Lutsk Breakdance Crew (DBS Crew) from 2000 until 2006. In 2003 he joined the […]

Один в Каное, translated from the Ukraine as “One in a Canoe” or “Alone in a Canoe” is a Ukrainian indie band originating in Lviv, Ukraine. In 2010 the band formed from 7-8 amateur musicians, none with any extensive formal musical education. After many members dropped out, only singer Irina Shvaydak and guitarist Ustim Pokhmursky […]

Korchma Taras Bulba (Корчма Тарас Булба) is a chain serving Ukrainian cuisine in an atmosphere rich in Ukrainian culture. They currently have locations in Moscow, Kyiv, and New York City. Korchma Taras Bulba was founded by Yury Beloyvan in Moscow in 1999. At the time, most dining in Moscow was either fast food or five-star. […]

The Laughing Pot (Горщик-cміхотун in Ukrainian, Горшок смехотун in Russian—though the Ukrainian cміхотун has also been translated into Russian in the name of the film as хохотун and насмешник) is a 1990 Ukrainian-made short animated film. It’s about eight minutes long. The film is wordless. The film tells the story of a very strange-looking clay pot made […]