Film Review: Donbass [CZ]

The film Donbas, directed by Sergej Loznica, takes us into the (un)ordinary life of the self-proclaimed People's Republic, which in the film resembles a planet of crime. It opens the door to a world of raw absurdity, in which we easily confuse documentary reality with surrealism.

Day of Ukraine 2023 - the second year of the festival of students of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague [CZ]

The second the Day of Ukraine in a row, organized mainly by students of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, took place on Friday, April 21, at the Hybernská Campus. As last year, the programme consisted of interesting cultural, linguistic and artistic contributions. There were also Ukrainian borscht and traditional sweets.

Part III. of the cycle “Ukrainians and Folk Culture in Ukraine”: Chata, pysanky and vyshyvanka. Material aspects of folk culture [CZ]

The paper provides an insight into the material folk culture in Ukraine, specifically introducing folk architecture, clothing and some examples of folk art.

"No one in the world does it as we do." Folk culture in Ukraine, Part II. Ethnographic groups or singular ethnicities? Poleshuks, Rusyns and other inhabitants of Ukraine [CZ]

This article characterizes the ethnographic groups in Ukraine, focusing on the Poleshuks from the Ukrainian-Belarusian-Polish borderlands and the Rusyns (Lemkos, Boykos and Hutsuls) from the Carpathian region, who are also considered a separate East Slavic nation. It briefly presents interesting facts about their culture, customs and folklore.

"Borshch runs through our veins." Ukrainians and Folk Culture in Ukraine, Part I. Concepts, contexts, ethnographic regions [CZ]

The article introduces the reader to the issue of folk culture as a phenomenon that develops primarily on a regional and local basis, characterizes Ukrainians and other inhabitants of Ukraine as a subject of study, defines and presents the ethnographic regionalization of the territory from a historical, geographical and dialectological point of view.

Film Review: На миг оглянуться... [CZ]

The film was made in 1984 by director Vyacheslav Kolegayev and comes from the Odessa Film Studio. There is no rhetoric of the great socialist movies typical for the previous period in this film anymore. The explicit meaning of the film is given by its nostalgia and the effort to break free from the life stereotype.

Czechs in the urban environment of southern Ukraine - part II [CZ]

The article continues exploring the presence of the Czech minority in Odessa in the 19th century. Besides the sphere of high culture, the brewing industry and education were other fields wherein Czechs in Odessa attracted attention of their contemporaries. Antonín Mikuláš Číla, a promoter of the “Sokol” movement and later a legionnaire commander, is highlighted as an example of an important Czech educator. The "Czecho-Slavic Tsarist Factory" owned by the Czech entrepreneur Josef Šediva, was a famous producer of musical instruments. During the Soviet era, the organized Czech compatriot life was interrupted, only to be restored in the 1990s in the already independent Ukraine. The history of the Czech minority in Odessa practically ended in 2015, when a collective migration of a significant part of Odessa Czechs to the Czech Republic (organized by the Czech state) took place.

Odessa film studios and their movie-making for children and youth in the ending era of the USSR [CZ]

A brief excursus on one of the oldest film studios in the world. A presentation and analysis of children's films in the ‘70s and ‘80s in the USSR.

Czechs in the urban environment of southern Ukraine - part I. [CZ]

Most 19th century Czech migrants to today’s Ukraine settled in the agriculturally potent western and southern regions. However, a large number of these migrants found employment also in the then developing urban centres. Odessa, now a port metropolis located in the southwestern part of Ukraine, was one of such cities wherein communities of Czech compatriots gradually established. The article considers the presence of the Czech minority in the city of Odessa, emphasizing a its communal and social life. The study also recalls probably the most important figure of Czech origin in the field of culture, the long-time chief conductor of the local city theatre orchestra and composer Josef Přibík.

Film Review: Asthenic Syndrome - Part II [CZ]

Meaning of symbolism in the film of Kira Muratova and comparisons to similar movies. A little look back at the film Asthenic Syndrome and an interpretation of its visual message.

Film Review: Asthenic Syndrome - Part I [CZ]

Bizarre film opus of the first lady of Ukrainian film Kira Muratova. The story of people tired of life, absurdity, apathy, and themselves.

Returns of Czech compatriots from Ukraine [CZ]

The text is based on field research provided by the author in the village of Bohemka and captures the history, life, and customs of Czech compatriots in this Ukrainian village. It contains the description of the “Bohemian” culture, which is influenced by both Czech traditions and the Ukrainian environment. The text clarifies the importance and role of expatriate associations in a foreign environment.