In Solidarity with Ukraine: cultural activists from Hungary and Brazil visited Ukraine

PEN Ukraine hosted a delegation of cultural activists and journalists from Brazil within the program In Solidarity with Ukraine, supported by Prague Civil Society Centre and the International Renaissance Foundation. Information partner: Espreso TV Channel.

The delegation included Hungarian writer Dénes Krusovszky, professor of media law Dr. Gábor Polyák, journalist and editor Márton Jankovics. From the Brazilian part, journalists Sylvia Colombo and Lucas Figueiredo came to visit Ukraine.

Throughout the week, the delegates got acquainted with Ukrainian culture and visited key sightseeing attractions of Kyiv – St. Sophia’s Cathedral, St. Michael’s Cathedral, and Maidan Nezalezhnosti. They also met cultural activists and journalists and visited the office of Truth Hounds, an NGO focused on documenting and investigating war crimes and had a talk with the Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Tamila Tasheva at the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Day one of the program ended at the concert of DvaTry folk band.

"Kyiv is a wonderful European city. Today, the Ukrainian people understand what Europe means, what European values mean, better than those who watch the war from afar, often with indifference," says Dr. Gábor Polyák, professor of media law.

Hungarian poet and writer Dénes Krusovszky was also impressed by the capital city of Ukraine.

"Kyiv was impressive, the cultural diversity, the intellectual buzz in the city could not be suppressed even by the air raids. Although it is not easy to maintain the semblance of a normal life under these circumstances," says he.

During the next few days, guests from Hungary and Brazil eyewitnessed the consequences of Russian aggression. They visited children’s hospital Okhmatdyt, targeted by a Russian missile on July 8, 2024, went to towns of Bucha, Irpin, and Borodyanka in the Kyiv region and to the liberated village of Yahidne in the Chernihiv region that represents the brutality of Russian crimes. The occupiers detained over 300 local citizens under the unbearable conditions of the village school’s basement.

"I think what impressed me the most was how strong the will to live and the desire for freedom are among the people in this region. The invaders practically razed these settlements to the ground, but the locals have already rebuilt many things and filled them with life," says Hungarian writer Dénes Krusovszky.

Within the visit, the delegates took part in two public conversations at PEN Ukraine Space in Kyiv. Brazilian journalists talked over common experiences of Ukraine and countries of South America with Ukrainian writer Maryna Hrymych. Hungarian authors’ conversation about intersection points of Hungary and Ukraine was moderated by scholar Kateryna Zarembo.  

On the last day of their visit, the participants of the program attended the meeting with war correspondents at Zbirka bookshop. Stas Kozljuk and Mykhailo Palinchak gave them an idea of Ukrainian journalists’ work at the war.

"I was mostly impressed by the resilience, commintment, creativity and kindness of all the people we met during our trip. It was a true inspiration to have conversations with them and see how tirelessly and bravely they work to keep their country in a terribly difficult situation," says Hungarian journalist, culture editor at 24.hu Márton Jankovics.

Upon returning home, the participants of delegations become ambassadors of Ukraine by covering the war and Ukrainian culture in their articles, projects and public speeches.

"After the solidarity trip, we will work even harder to ensure that no one can close their eyes to the horrors committed by the Russians and that everyone can see the enormous struggle of the Ukrainian people for the survival of the Ukrainian nation, for the survival of Ukrainian culture," says professor of media law Dr. Gábor Polyák.

Brazilian journalist Lucas Figueiredo is planning to continue covering the situation in Ukraine for his audience at home.

"Witnessing the atrocities of war firsthand will allow me to convey the situation in Ukraine with greater depth and nuance. As international media coverage diminishes, I return to Brazil resolute in my mission to share the message that the war is far from over," says he.

Photos: Valentyna Naumenko, Artem Galkin