Dare to Ukraine | Kharkiv: Living and surviving near the Russian border

Explore Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city and discover what life is like in Kharkiv during war. In the fifth episode of “Dare to Ukraine,” we explore Kharkiv, a city that embodies resilience and creativity in the face of adversity. Kharkiv is renowned for its diverse architecture and vibrant arts scene. Despite enduring severe damage and remaining under the constant horror of Russia’s war, Kharkiv’s spirit remains unbroken, with its community determined to keep the city alive through art, innovation, and unity. Join our host, Masha Lavrova, as she explores the multifaceted character of Kharkiv — from the haunting history of Slovo House to the dynamic energy of the Yermilov Center and Nafta Theater. Discover local culinary gems and hear powerful stories of resilience that define this extraordinary city. 00:00 Introduction to Kharkiv 01:44 Derzhprom building and the impact of war on the city 02:46 Cafe Makers: Coffee, community, and resilience 10:30 Kharkiv metro: Life that moved underground 16:23 Wartime theater scene in Kharkiv 23:00 Exploring street art 25:54 Slovo House: One of the darkest chapters in Ukrainian cultural history 28:46 Sense of Safety: Contemporary art during war 36:23 Dare to Ukraine challenge 37:10 Spontaneous Ukrainian cuisine 45:10 Conclusion and next steps Ep. 1:    • Dare to Ukraine | Lviv, the ultimate first...   Ep. 2:    • Dare to Ukraine | Escaping war in the Carp...   Ep. 3:    • Dare to Ukraine | Odesa: Summer by the sea...   Ep. 4:    • Dare to Ukraine | Kyiv, the heart of count...   Team: Executive producer & story editor: Toma Istomina Director: Tetiana Koronkova Host & scriptwriter: Masha Lavrova Line producer: Valeriia Snopkova Camera persons: Olena Zashko, Max Pavlun. Video editor: Vladyslav Samusenko. Motion designer: Dana Loboda …………………………………………. This episode is supported by Promova, a Ukrainian-founded language learning platform. With 15 million downloads, Promova addresses common language-learning challenges through engaging, bite-sized lessons that fit into busy lives. Offering real-life vocabulary, short videos, books, and AI-powered speaking practice, it’s tailored to each user’s goals and learning style. Start your language journey with Promova and save up to 50% with a Premium subscription: https://bit.ly/3YUpVhi …………………………………………. Places & people in this episode: Mariia Kabanets — Instagram: @masha.kabanets Dmytro Kabanets — Instagram: @dimakabanets Artem Vusyk — Instagram: @scissor_vus Gamlet Zinkivskyi — Instagram: @gamletzinkivskyi Mykyta Virchenko — Instagram: @virchenko.mykyta Makers — Instagram: @makerscoffeeshop Yermilov Center — https://yermilovcentre.org/ Trypichcha — Instagram: @3pich.ua Nafta Theater — Instagram: @teatr.nafta …………………………………………. Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membershi... Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced reporting from Ukraine to the world. Subscribe to our channel for more independent reporting from Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent E-store: https://store.kyivindependent.com/ …………………………………………. Additional footage: Getty Images Wikimedia Commons Youtube channel: Blog 360 Ukraїner #Kharkiv #Ukraine #UkraineTravel #KharkivTravel #KharkivGuide