04/06/2025
Wild Colors, True Stories: Ukrainian Naïve Art & Memory
Friday, April 11 | 5:00–7:00 PM | HQ 132
Organized by Ukraine House at Yale, the Ukrainian Program, the Slavic Department, and the European Studies Council, this special event brings together art, history, and technology to explore how Ukrainian artists and scholars are using creativity to preserve cultural identity in the face of war.
Event Highlights:
Virtual Reality Tour of Polina Rayko’s House-Museum
Step inside the vibrant, hand-painted world of Polina Rayko, a self-taught Ukrainian artist whose home became her life’s masterpiece. Using VR headsets, guests will experience the breathtaking folk murals of this one-of-a-kind house-museum—a testament to resilience and artistic expression in the face of hardship.
Conversation: The Role of Art in War & Memory
Featuring Nataliia Bondarenko (UNC Chapel Hill) and Yuliia Sytnyk (Ukrainian artist and cultural organizer), this conversation will explore how art reclaims marginalized narratives and amplifies overlooked voices during conflict. Yuliia Sytnyk, who fled the war after surviving occupation in Kherson, will share her personal journey and the enduring strength of Ukrainian artistic life.
Hands-On Painting Workshop with Yuliia Sytnyk
Under Yuliia’s guidance, participants will create their own artwork, connecting with Ukrainian culture through personal expression.
At a time when Ukraine is fighting not only for its territory but also for its cultural survival, this event highlights the power of art as a tool for memory, resistance, and healing. Art sustains identity, documents history, and empowers communities. Join us in celebrating Ukrainian creativity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of its people.
Free and open to the public. All materials provided.