Issue 19 - Fighters

Issue 19 / 09.2022 

FIGHTERS 

1

www.sashazayats.com / @sashazayats

4 

https://guniaproject.com/

ttps://guniaproject.com/ 

5

Meet 

The Team 

Editor-in-Chief 

Fashion Editor 

Art Direction 

Marcel Schlutt @marcel_schlutt 

mschlutt@kaltblut-magazine.com 

Culture Editor 

Johanna Urbancik @johannaurbancik 

johannaurbancik@kaltblut-magazine.com 

Music Editor 

Nicola Phillips @nicphilf 

nphillips@kaltblut-magazine.com 

Fashion Editors 

Nico Sutor @nico_sutor_ 

nsutor@kaltblut-magazine.com 

Karl Slater @slaterkarl 

kslater@kaltblut-magazine.com 

Contributors 

Lina-Luisa Sittig 

Guillaume Sudre 

Oleksandr Mazur 

Lesha Berezovskiy 

Ruslan Pukshyn 

Julia Sonata 

Chris Knickerbocker 

Fleur Helluin 

Alina Coma 

Yaroslav Rashevskyi 

Livyj Bereh 

Jean Ayala 

Dmytro Komissarenko 

Tyhran Sohoian 

This issue is a timestamp; a dedication to the children of war. 

It's a dedication to every Ukrainian who has been fighting this 

senseless, brutal invasion for the last seven months. It's for every 

young person who's called Ukraine their home, but had to leave 

everything behind. 

It's also a dedication to the LGBTQIA+ community, who fighting 

a constant battle for equality. Furthermore, it's for Malte C., who 

died because of a hate crime at Münster's CSD. 

This issue is also for every Person of Colour, who has to endure 

aggressive acts of racism every day and still stands up to fight. 

KALTBLUT is dedicating this issue to everyone who fights against 

injustice, xenophobia, sexism, antisemitism and hate. 

*Johanna Urbancik 

Note From the Editors 

ON THE COVER 

Follow us 

www.kaltblut-magazine.com 

Instagram @kaltblut_magazine 

Twitter @KALTBLUTMAG 

Facebook @kaltblut.magazine 

Spotify 

Youtube 

Photography by Oleksandr Mazur 

www.alexandrmazur.com 

@mazur_sasha 

Model is Katrin @hvzhnnomg 

@omgmodelmanagement 

Make up by Hait Margarita 

@haitmargaritamuah 

KALTBLUT MAGAZINE is published by Marcel Schlutt and Naikee Simoneau 

KALTBLUT MAGAZINE I Anton-Saefkow-Strasse 2 I 10407 Berlin I Germany 

All Copyright at KALTBLUT. 

All of KALTBLUT´s contributors are responsible and retain the reproduction rights of their own words and images. 

Reproductions of any kind are prohibited without the permission of the magazine, editor and each contributor. 

6

P. 008 Varya Lushchyk 

P. 044 Gorsad Kyiv Interview 

P. 054 Iryna Maksymova 

P. 079 A Day in Kyiv Reportage 

P. 116 On The Ground 

P. 122 Lie Ning Interview 

P. 140 Vitsche Interview 

P. 166 Jean Claracq Interview 

P. 184 Ana B. Interview 

Interview 

Interview 

Art Focus 

7

VARYA 

USHCHYK 

interview

Interview by Johanna Urbancik 

All photos are provided by 

courtesy of Varya Lushchyk 

THROUGHOUT THE LAST COUPLE 

OF MONTHS, MANY UKRAINIANS 

HAVE STEPPED UP TO SUPPORT 

THEIR COMMUNITY IN ONE WAY 

OR ANOTHER – BE THAT BY 

COLLECTING DONATIONS, HELPING 

THE ELDERLY, OR REBUILDING 

HOUSES. 

WE’VE SPOKEN TO VARYA, A 

21-YEAR-OLD FROM KYIV. SHE’S 

BEEN WORKING AT ONE OF KYIV’S 

MOST BELOVED CAFÉS, LYPA, 

WHERE SHE ALSO ENDED UP 

VOLUNTEERING AT THE BEGINNING 

OF THE WAR. 

Varya and I caught up on Face- 

Time, where she showed me 

a beautiful sunset in Kyiv. We 

had a long conversation about 

the last couple of months, how 

she’s stepped up to do so much 

at such a young age and the 

stories she hears from the 

people in liberated villages.

10

How are you? 

Varya: Right now, I’m okay. I’m a bit more comfortable 

than before because it’s not that scary in Kyiv anymore. 

You’re so young! You’re getting your youth stolen by the 

pandemic and the war. 

Varya: That’s actually a joke of mine. I should be 

studying at university right now, but first, there was a 

pandemic and now a war. 

That’s right, you must’ve just turned 18 when the 

pandemic started. 

Varya: Yeah, and it was my second year at university. 

So, you’re still studying at university now? 

Varya: No, I dropped out of university because of 

COVID-19. I didn’t like studying online, it’s not the 

right thing for me. Before the war, I was working as an 

actress and a waitress in a café. I’m also a tattoo artist. 

I have many jobs. I’m slowly starting to get back into it 

because when the war started, I was volunteering a lot 

at the café where I was working. 

The café is called Lypa. We turned it into a shelter for 

people who needed it. The café is in a basement, so 

it was safer. Some people ended up living there. We 

were looking after them and also started cooking for 

the hospitals, old people and our military – basically for 

everyone who was in need. It was strange living at my 

place of work for three months. 

Wow, that’s incredible. 

But you know, when you’re here, you keep thinking 

whatever you do isn’t enough. I’m not in the military, 

I can’t make this city safe. I’m always thinking I’m not 

doing enough. 

I understand that. I think to a certain extent, everyone 

has that feeling of not doing enough. How are you 

dealing with the mental impact of what you’ve 

experienced and what your country is experiencing? Are 

you already starting to process it? 

Varya: There was a moment when I was thinking: 

enough! I broke my toe and could only walk with 

crutches. I was lying in my bed and I heard explosions 

and the air raid sirens. I couldn’t go to the shelter fast 

enough because of that broken toe and the crutches. So, 

I was just lying there, accepting whatever would happen. 

But, it’s slowly getting better. 

It’s summer now, the weather is still good, and we have 

beautiful sunsets. That’s kind of putting me in a good 

mood at the moment. 

What are the winters like in Kyiv? 

Varya: Winter in Kyiv is depressing. The days are really 

short, only six hours or so, there’s a lot of snow, and it’s 

freezing cold. I don’t like winter. I just really hope we 

will be able to heat our homes in the winter and the gas 

won’t be too expensive. 

I’m only starting to slowly make money again, and I 

can’t save anything because everything is so expensive. 

11

12

I completely understand you. I feel especially young 

people are the ones who are affected the most. So 

besides working, you’re also volunteering. What are the 

kind of things you're seeing or hearing when you speak 

to the people you help? 

Varya: At the beginning of the war, it wasn’t as scary 

as it is now. We were volunteering in villages in the 

Chernihiv Region. Those villages were all under Russian 

occupation. We rebuild houses that were destroyed 

and burned out and the people in those villages tell 

us horrible, scary stories. Many of those stories are of 

Russian soldiers living in their houses, threatening them 

with their guns and demanding them to cook for them. 

Other stories of Russian soldiers eating the dogs of old 

grandpas and grandmas. The stories range from killing 

to torture and animal abuse. 

That sounds absolutely barbaric. Would you say that the 

volunteers are mainly young people? 

Varya: In my group, we’re a group of friends. They’re 

all older than me, between 25 and 30. It’s mainly men, 

too. We became friends when we were living at the Lypa 

café. They’re like friends from a previous life. We formed 

this group and started by sending out humanitarian 

aid. Then we saw all the broken windows and decided 

to cover them with cling film. It was only the beginning 

of spring, which meant it was still cold. That’s when we 

decided we needed to do more. 

13

"THE OLD PEOPLE 

REALLY NEED HELP 

WITH THEIR HOUSES, 

BECAUSE WINTER 

IS COMING. 

RIGHT NOW, 

MANY OF THEM 

ARE LIVING 

IN THEIR 

CHICKEN COOPS 

OR BARNS." 

14

15

16

Varya: The people in most villages don’t need that much 

food, as they’re growing a lot of it by themselves. But 

they really need help with their houses, because winter 

is coming. Right now, many of them are living in their 

chicken coops or barns. 

It’s incredible what you and your friends are doing. Can 

you walk me through the process of what you’re doing 

with the donations you’re receiving and how you’re 

distributing the humanitarian aid? 

Varya: The money I receive comes from mainly 

Ukrainian people. In the beginning, we asked people 

from abroad to send food, and when the supermarkets 

reopened, we were buying most of the things there. 

Stuff for rebuilding the houses we buy from builders. 

It sounds like a real sense of community, like everyone’s 

working together. 

Varya: Yes! But you know, every time we go shopping, 

it’s getting harder. Everything’s getting more and more 

expensive, and we don’t know how to afford everything. 

Are you getting any support or assistance from the 

government? 

Varya: No. But, some people from the government come 

to take notes and inspect the damages in these villages. 

Right now, the government can’t send money. They have 

so much other stuff to do. And I do understand it, and 

I'm not mad at anyone in our government. 

And is that a common feeling among Ukrainians? 

Varya: Younger people are supporting the government, 

and they understand what’s going on. The young people 

here are thankful for being alive, the government and 

the army. However, some old people in the villages 

don’t understand why the government isn’t helping them 

more. Sometimes they are waiting for someone from the 

top to visit them, or rather that Zelenskyy himself would 

end up helping them to rebuild their houses. 

But, again, whenever we have conversations with older 

people and explain, that this isn’t possible because 

too much is going on – they understand. Everyone, in 

general, seems to be kind and supportive at the moment. 

Yes, I think that sense of support and sticking together is 

something we’ve all seen and admired from Ukrainians 

over the last couple of months. Are you from Kyiv? 

Varya: Yes. 

So, you grew up speaking Ukrainian? 

Varya: Yes, and no. I was speaking Russian with my 

family, and Ukrainian at school. For a long time, I could 

write only in Ukrainian and made loads of mistakes in 

Russian. But then I grew up and started reading Russian 

literature, and now I can speak both languages fluently. 

You know, these are really two different languages. 

Ukrainians can understand Russian, but Russians do 

not understand Ukrainian at all. Myself, I don’t want to 

speak Russian anymore, except with my grandma. She 

isn't Ukrainian, so she doesn’t speak the language – but 

she's trying! 

What does your life look like right now? You’ve 

mentioned earlier that everything is feeling a bit more 

normal, and you’re starting to go back to work. 

Varya: Life in Kyiv feels like it’s back to normal – 

Summer here is really cool and there are even some 

parties and events. On the other hand, you still have 

people collecting money for the army -- the war is 

always present. Sometimes, it’s the air raid sirens, and 

sometimes, when I come back home in the morning, I 

ask myself what the fuck I’m doing; this isn’t the time for 

partying. 

It always comes back to what we were talking about 

in the beginning, whatever you do, it’s not enough. 

You keep on moving, buying more stuff, volunteering 

whenever you can. I also have a lot of responsibility, 

because I’m receiving the money for the donations on 

my bank account. 

So, I need to constantly check everything. Generally, a 

lot of the organization is on me. 

None of those things are as scary as checking the news, 

though. 

Do you still check the news a lot? 

Varya: Of course, of course. I am subscribed to more 

than ten news organizations on Telegram. I’m always 

checking what’s going on. Because, even if it’s quiet in 

Kyiv, there are explosions and attacks in other cities that 

we need to know about. 

How are you dealing with your mental health? 

Varya: As for me, I feel that, right now, I need help. But 

I'm putting this in the back of my head, because I have 

to stay focused right now. It’s raining a lot in Kyiv right 

now, and sometimes there are thunderstorms. You see a 

lot of people looking for shelter when they hear thunder, 

because they think they’re being shelled again. You 

notice how similar thunder sounds to explosions. 

The people that stayed in Ukraine, they will have this 

problem for a long time. And the people abroad will 

have this feeling of not doing enough, and not having a 

home anymore.. 

If there’s one thing you could tell the people around the 

world, what would it be? 

Varya: Sometimes when I look at the stories people post 

from abroad, I get a little jealous, because I can’t enjoy 

my life like that, I can’t party. I would ask the world 

please not to forget that we have a war here. I can sit 

outside now only because of the Ukrainian army. 

I remember the day when in there were a lot of protests 

in Europe in support of Ukraine. I was looking through 

my Instagram and saw all the posts, and it was so 

comforting to see that a lot of people are still thinking 

about us. We are not lost. 

People haven’t forgotten about us, 

and they care! I think my main message 

would be to please not forget about us. 

17

18

19

If you want to donate to Varya and 

her friends, you can do so via the 

following links. 

Ukrainians can donate via Varya’s 

Monobank link here, and internationals 

can donate to this PayPal account: 

zamai_georgia@protonmail.com 

You can also follow her on Instagram 

@varyalushchyk, where she posts 

regular updates. 

20

21

22 

Sustainable CBD brand from Berlin

wwwsophiensaele.com 

23

FRACTALE 

A new TTSWTRS 

collection inspired 

by the fractal 

process in nature 

Ukrainian brand TTSWTRS has released their first collection since 

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The collection took longer to 

launch because of the war but the brand carries on exploring the planet 

and nature. Presenting FRACTALE — a collection focused on the 

phenomenon of similarity and duplication, a process that symbolizes 

the continuation of life. 

24

25

TTSWTRS considers the theory and 

properties of self-similar structures that 

form a fractal — a set consisting of similar 

parts. For the team, a fractal is a symbol 

of life, renewal, regeneration, and new 

beginnings. Anna Osmekhina, Svitlana Snizhko, 

and Nina Korobeynikova collaborated on this 

collection. 

For the color palette of the FRACTALE collection, 

Anna Osmekhina — the founder of TTSWTRS 

— drew inspiration from the icy shades of gray, 

graphite, and white characteristically found on 

strict Icelandic landscapes. 

"Iceland, this incredible country, has become 

my inspiration — as the mirror of nature and its 

genius, with its perfect combination of colors 

and the beauty of fractality in every detail” 

says Anna Osmekhina. 

In addition to grayscale colors, the items of the 

collection feature a unique design of various 

textures that represents the abundance of surfaces 

in nature. The 

collection is created with eco-friendly 

materials, and includes a hoodie with slits, mesh 

dress, knitted tops and bodysuits, bicycle shorts 

and bodysuits with layers. 

The whole collection is a large-scale 

fractal which, like a puzzle, consists of units. With 

the FRACTALE collection, TTSWTRS shows that 

all things on Earth are similar to each other, and 

intertwine as parts of one organism. This brings 

an understanding: life on the planet can be maintained, 

cherished and restored, and on the other 

hand — can be subject to self-destruction. 

The collection serves as a reminder to dedicate 

ourselves and all our actions to life and recovery, 

instead of destruction. 

Everything is fractals. 

You can get acquainted with FRACTALE online, 

as well as in TTSWTRS offline stores in Kyiv and 

Odessa. 

Follow @ttswtrs 

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

Pants: NYCTO 

Top: custom vintage 

Photography by Guillaume Sudre / @guillaume_sdr 

Model is Andréa B signed at Mademoiselle Agency / @andybyfive 

Stylist is Camille Loizillon / www.camilleloizillon.net / @camilo_izi 

Make up by Maude Gobet / @modimagine 

37

38 

left 

Earrings and Bag: r.l.ehouse 

Dress: vintage 

right 

Dress: vintage

39

40

Top: vintage 


Panty: H&M 

41

42

left 


Bra: vintage 

Skirt: Céline Shen 

right 

Top: Marianna Ladreyt 

43

44 

Interview by Lina-Luisa Sittig 

In conversation with 

Gorsad Kyiv: Maria, 

Victor and Julian!

Gorsad Kyiv 

45

Young, unfiltered and in a moment of authentic 

aloofness—with this strong visual language, the 

artist collective Gorsad Kyiv gives Kyiv's youth 

culture a platform. Maria, Victor and Julian, who 

Materialistic 

have known each other for over ten years, capture 

moments through their photographs that stand for 

the intrepidity of youth. 

In a conversation with KALTBLUT, the artists 

describe how the war affects their work and how 

they are able to continue their work fruitfully 

despite the extremely difficult conditions.

47

Is it possible for you to work and 

push your projects forward in 

the current situation? If so, what 

restrictions do you face in your 

artwork due to the war? 

Gorsad: Of course, we face many 

organizational problems and not 

only, but we try not to pay attention 

to it. Now in Ukraine we do not 

have commercial orders, as before 

the war. There is the possibility 

to engage solely in creative 

photography and to take part in 

exhibitions in other countries to 

support Ukraine. 

You work mainly with very young 

people. The other aspect of your 

art is to capture their moods in a 

very unfiltered and authentic way. 

How challenging is it these days to 

maintain this focus in your visual 

language? 

Gorsad: Everything's turned upside 

down now. But at the same time, 

people have become very open and 

willing to cooperate, which gives 

the opportunity and the strength to 

keep experimenting in their work. 

How exactly does a Gorsad 

photoshoot work? Who takes on 

which role throughout the creative 

process? 

Gorsad: Everyone contributes 

roughly equally, over the long 

time we've been working together, 

we've been constantly changing our 

creative roles. 

49

50

Your works include minors posing 

with (fake) weapons and these 

photos are posted next to images 

that can be associated with a sexual 

context. 

What is the motive behind this, and 

can you relate to the fact that it can 

be seen critically? 

Gorsad: These photos come from 

different series and have a totally 

different semantics content. 

Sure, if these photos are combined, 

for instance, on Instagram, then the 

viewer can think of anything… 

What is the most remarkable aspect 

of working with very young people? 

Gorsad: They are sincere and very 

open, it is more interesting to work 

with them than with professional 

models. 

With age, many people lose their 

authenticity, and this is very felt when 

working with them. Of course, that 

doesn't apply to everybody, but in a 

lot of cases it's felt. 

Lately, you cooperated with Werush 

Skateboards. Are there any further 

projects planned which bring together 

urban youth culture and your art? 

Gorsad: Yes, it is always interesting to 

do such projects. We planned to do a 

similar collaboration with another US 

skateboarding brand, but since the 

start of the war in Ukraine, everything 

had to be postponed for a while. 

52

Follow Gorsad Kyiv on Instagram @grsdkyiv to keep up with their latest artworks. 

All photos are provided by courtesy of Gorsad Kyiv.

54

ART 

SHE WILL WIN 

Art is supposed to be personal – to the viewer and the artist. Iryna Maksymova's 

work accomplishes that in a beautiful way. The Ukrainian artist's story line, the 

colours and characters seem simple, but reflext the deepest parts of her inner 

feelings. Every piece is a voice, a manifesto and a call to action. 

The female silhouettes, which present in many of her artworks, are a powerful 

symbol with their male and feminine characteristis. The animals she paints are 

given a voice they don't usually have. Her work is a statement for Feminism and 

ecology and against sexism and any cruelty towards humans or animals. Some 

might say that these themes have always been on everyone’s lips, but why 

should you stay silent? 

Maksymova's practice has power to influence people and to make them reflect 

not only on the visual part, but also on the idea and concept that might motivate 

to change and be changed. 

Unline many other artists, she doesnt believe in creative process or motivation. 

She believes in hard work and not waiting for things to fall into your lap. "Hard 

and continuous work will bring experience, confidence, opportunities, more ideas 

and even more work," she says. 

Do not miss Iryna's solow show "she will win" at Circle Culture Gallery Berlin 

Gipsstraße 11, 10119 Berlin, Germany. Till November 4th 2022 

@circleculture.galleries // www.circleculture-gallery.com 

Follow Iryna @maksymova.art // www.maksymova.art 

IRYNA 

MAKSYMOVA 

55

56

57

58

59

T 

IRYNA 

MAKSYMOVA 

60

61

62

"Hello. My name is Alexander Mazur. 

I am a fashion photographer, 

originally from Ukraine. 

I used to live in Kyiv, but as a result of 

the war, I was forced to return to my 

small town of Kamenskoye, where I 

was born and grew up until I was 20 

years old. I walked a lot around my 

native city, visited places that 

reminded me of my childhood. 

I passed by the pool, where I swam 

during my time at school. I wanted 

to go inside. There was a sign on 

the door stating that it is temporarily 

closed and it is not clear when it will 

reopen. My curiosity to know how 

much had changed led me to knock 

on the door and try to get in. To my 

delight, the guard opened the door. 

I told him that I swam in this pool 

when I was little, and that I would 

very much like to see how much it had 

changed. I managed to negotiate and 

they let me inside. When I got inside, 

I saw that it was empty and shabby. It 

upset me a little, but inspired me a lot. 

At this moment, I realized that I wanted 

to shoot in it. The image that came 

to my mind was in the likeness of 

"amphibian human" – but more 

understandable to the viewer. 

I wanted to do something unusual, to 

convey the form, geometry, 

atmosphere and dramaturgy that was 

in my soul. 

SWIMMING 

Photography by Oleksandr Mazur 

www.alexandrmazur.com 

@mazur_sasha 

Model is Katrin @hvzhnnomg 

@omgmodelmanagement 

Make up by Hait Margarita 

@haitmargaritamuah 

Stylist - Olga Chernyshova 

@oneblueberrynight 

turtleneck - Mango 

gloves - Accessories 

jumpsuit - Reserved 

swimsuit - Esmara 

cap - b_mod_ 

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

THE VELVET 

CREEPERS 

LIKE WEIMAR CABARET ON ACID 

SENSUAL - SEDUCTIVE - SURREAL 

WHEN: 4. + 5. 11.22 

DOORS: 7 PM / SHOW 8 PM 

Photo by @andreykezzyn 

74

Join THE VELVET CREEPERS for their Cabaret of 

the 2020s and enjoy grandiose entertainment with 

a queer twist. An explosive mix of Kabarett of the 

1920s and Berlin Club Culture of the 2020s. 

TICKETS HERE 

Invoke the spirit of your darkest and most thrilling 

dreams. A dash of glitter, the smell of perfume and 

tobacco, bodies dripping latex and a gender bending 

reveal. 

Imagine stumbling into a 1920s Berlin salon and getting 

catapulted into a 2020s nightclub with a BANG. 

The Queens of Dark Cabaret LILLY MORTIS, FIFI 

FANTÔME, and DUNJA von K are back with special 

guests. 

Burlesque - Acrobatics - Cabaret - Performance Art - 

Queerlesque 

BERLIN'S LEGENDARY 

BURLESQUE AND CIRCUS TRIO 

The Berlin-based Performance Trio brings together 

the very best of Circus, Cabaret, and Burlesque with 

Glamour and Female Empowerment. 

 

With their unique dark aesthetic they stand for 

grandiose entertainment. 

The contemporary circus and cabaret trio 

combine vintage glamour and female* power and 

are bringing back the Weimar Varieté with a modern 

twist. They are most famous for their surreal 

aesthetic and queer topics. They are at home on 

theatre stages as well as immersive dinner show. The 

trio was founded in 2018 by Fifi Fantôme (aerial artist 

and contemporary dancer), Dunja von K (hula hoop 

artist and cabaret performer) and Lilly Mortis (Singer 

and Burlesque Artist). 

The Velvet Creepers have been producing their regular 

queer-feminist Varieté Show in Berlin and have 

graced many stages at theatres and performance 

festivals across Germany. Further productions were 

realized in collaboration with Cabaret Bizarre, House 

of Lunacy, Weisse Maus, Bad Bruises, ... 

Their performances for corporate events include 

Amazon, Adjust, Zalando, Flight Center, FunFairFilms. 

Follow via @thevelvetcreepers 

www.thevelvetcreepers.com 

Photo by @paikov 

75

Photo by @andreykezzyn 

76 

FIFI FANTÔME 

Canada's Queen of Dark Burlesque 

She is flamboyant and hilarious, eccentric and mysterious. With her larger 

than life dance moves, famed story lines and strange imagination The 

Canadian Queen of Dark Cabaret brings you into her world. She is an 

international multi-skilled Circus, Theater and Burlesque Performer. 

Her specialties include Aerial Hoop, Contemporary Dance, Hat Juggling, 

Clowning and Burlesque. 

She truly captivates the audience with her passionate moves and highly 

emotional performance as well as her breath-taking acrobatics. Fifi is a 

Shapeshifter, a sensual dark glamazon, who may surprise you as gender 

bending Clown. Expect the unexpected, when entering the world of Fifi 

Fantôme; it’s like letting your dreams seep into reality 

@fififantome

DUNJA VON K 

Queen of Hula Hoops Dark, 

captivating, engaging, surreal and sexy 

are the best words to describe Dunja 

von K. She holds two Guinness World 

Records and is without a doubt Berlin's 

Queen of Hula Hoop. 

The internationally acclaimed Hoop 

Artist and Cabaret Performer will leave 

you speechless with her breath taking 

skill set and extraordinary storytelling. 

Her work incorporates a multiplicity of 

genres and has been described as 

surreal, alternative, and avant-garde. 

Her shows are bursting with energy and 

will leave you gasping for more. Each 

and every performance however has 

multiple facets and takes the audience 

on a journey into their own minds 

@dunjavonk 

Surreal Sinsation, Burlesque Singer! 

Singing Sin-sation, Surreal Enchantress, Dark Cabaret Diva. 

With her silky voice and dark humour, the Queen of Cabaret 

Noir lures you into her sublime fantasy. Lilly Mortis is a burlesque 

artist, compère, and jazz singer, who combines the 

glamour of Weimar Berlin with twisted expressionist aesthetics 

in lavish costumes and avant-garde narratives. 

With charm and ease she incorporates modern feminist topics 

into her fabulousshows. Her shows are a play of light and 

shadow, enchanting and disturbing. 

@lilly_mortis 

LILLY MORTIS 

77

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LESHA BEREZOVSKIY 

A 

DAY 

IN 

KYIV 

For many of us, life in a war zone is unimaginable. 

That’s why we asked Kyiv-based photographer 

Lesha Berezovskiy to show us, what a new-normal 

day in the Ukrainian capital looks like. 

78

Vova 

@vova.rancher 

79

Lesha sent us loads of stunning photos of his friends and wife, Agata, whose 

story you can listen back to on Spotify. He also sent us photos from the 

destroyed Russian tanks that were put on display in the centre of Kyiv ahead of 

the country’s Independence Day on 24th of August. 

Lesha has documented his experiences from the beginning of the invasion via 

several mediums, such as his column at Switzerland’s Republik Magazin. 

Follow Lesha on Instagram via @lewa_kartowa to keep up with his work. 

80

left: Agata 

@agafya38_ 

81

82 

Dima and Marisha 

with their dog Semen 

@d.tsey 

@kraciviti

83

84

Zhenya Trifonova @firmkick 

She also doing a nice hand sculpted jewelry 

@decline.th 

85

Sevilya 

@sevilianarimanqizi 

86

87

88

Kira 

@kira_protsenko 

89

90 

Agata @agafya38_ 

wearing @uuavelosport t-shirt. 

"A small label I'm doing with my friends. From these 

t-shirts we donate 50% profits to our volunteer friends."

91

Sweet 

dreams 

mad 

world 

Photographer: Ruslan Pukshyn @ruslanpukshyn 

Model & styling: Yasha Zhylin @yasha.zhylin 

92

93

left: underwear - H&M 

belts - Elena Burenina 

cuff - Alan Crocetti 

ring - It's Clay 

right: jaket - vintage, stylist property 

scarf - Elena Burenina 

shoes - Zara 

pendant - Sasha Gorbachenko 

95

left: bodysuit - Elena Burenina 

shorts - Vozianov 

right: cuff & chain - Zhylin 


96

left: scarf, bag & bracelet - Elena Burenina 


right: underwear - Puma 

cuff, bracelet - Zhylin 

99

jaket - vintage, stylist property 

pants - Elena Burenina 

underwear - Karl Lagerfeld 


shoes - Zara 

belt - vintage, stylist property 

101

left: underwear - H&M 

belts - Elena Burenina 


ring - It's Clay 

right: jeans - Cheap Monday 

cuff & chain - Zhylin 


102

103

WHOLE 

FESTIVAL 

2022 

104 

A PHOTO REVIEW

RECLAIMING 

After three years of waiting, 

WHOLE - United Queer 

Festival has finally returned to 

Ferropolis, a rusting city of iron 

located on a peninsula 

1 hour and a half drive outside 

of Berlin in Germany. After the 

2020 edition was cancelled 

due to COVID, it was unsure 

whether WHOLE was able to 

continue for another edition. 

Through crowdfunding and 

donations, their community 

exceeded the target amount 

needed to cover financial 

losses and ensured its fourth 

edition, took place from 

August 26 to August 28 this 

year. 4999 visitors came to 

WHOLE this year, keeping the 

festival’s intimate vibe. 

QUEER 

Follow @whole.festival 

Photography by 

@don.victor.luque 

@herr_phillips 

@bigbusinessmonkey 

@spyrosrent 

SPACE 

105

For its musical program, WHOLE invited over 

30 crews, with 102 artists scattered over a 

dystopian cyberpunk influenced Crane Stage, 

their signature floating-in-the-water - Beach 

Stage, a 24-hour Forest Floor, a pillowparadise 

Ambient Stage and a Performance 

Stage in the forest. This year WHOLE united 

Berlin’s queer electronic music scene with 

15 international collectives and celebrated 

them in their use of dance as a tool for 

socio-political movement, each in various ways 

in their own countries. 

Amongst the international collectives were 

those from the UK, Uganda, Colombia, 

Brazil, Portugal, United States, Hungary, Poland, 

Greece, Taiwan, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. 

New on this year’s line-up were ‘T4T luv NRG’, 

the US-based label run by Octo Octa and Eris 

Drew, London’s ‘Adonis’, Bogota’s ‘Bulto’, 

Kampala’s ‘ANTI-MASS’ and Berlin’s ‘Bring down 

the Walls’, ‘Floorgasm’, ‘Mala Junta’ and ‘Radiant 

Love’. 

QUEER ELECTRONIC MUSIC SCENE 

106

For this year’s cultural 

program, WHOLE hosted 

4 talks, 13 performances, 2 

film festivals, 1 hybrid 

expanded cinema program, 

5 art installations and 34 

workshops, with an 

extensive awareness team, 

creating a space where play, 

freedom, harm 

reduction, politics and 

education blend together. 

The extensive program 

could be found in this 

year’s new ‘WHOLE’ app, 

which featured a map of 

the festival, a timetable, a 

list of artists, crews 

and their background 

information as well as 

performances, talks, 

workshops and activities. 

The app also included a page with 

live updates, FAQ, information about 

health & safety, a forum allowing 

visitors to ask any questions to the 

team and towards each other, as 

well as an SOS-button that visitors 

could use to call the aid tent in case 

of emergency. 

Uniting the global queer electronic 

music scene offers opportunity 

to exchange and to learn from 

each other, but also to reflect on 

socio-political topics within the 

community. To facilitate these discussions, 

WHOLE hosted talks about 

topics such as ‘Climate Change and 

Post-Growth Raving’, and organized 

a community discussion and Q&A 

called ‘Let’s Talk About Sex & Drugs’. 

The special workshop tent that 

was added to the festival this year 

focused on radical presence and 

grounding. Many of the workshops 

were hosted by Pfaueninsel, a group 

of 10 queer bodyworkers, massage 

therapists, performing artists & 

community facilitators. 

107

108

109

‘The workshops offer space & 

affirming opportunities for folks who are 

most marginalized. They invite guests to 

build community, rest, learn, connect, 

support each other, play and get high on 

oxytocin.’ the founders of WHOLE say. 

Some of the workshops included: Queer 

Men* of color, Radical Healing, Gay Ass 

Yoga, Genital Renaming, Touching 

Tenderness and QBIPOC journaling. 

New at WHOLE this year was the FLINTA 

Play Space. An intentional play space for 

female identifying, lesbian, inter, non-binary, 

trans and agender people. Berlin-based 

‘Les Sans-Culottes’ was 

behind the organization of the play 

space. Amongst the collective are artists, 

performers, sex educators, a doctor, a DJ 

and a writer. 

Some of the noteworthy performances at 

the performance stage this year included 

Berlin Strippers Collective, which aim is 

to destigmatize and educate on stripping 

and sex work as well as Drag Syndrome, 

the world’s first professional drag company 

for queens and kings with Down’s 

Syndrome. Planningtorock also enchanted 

the audience with an otherworldly live 

performance. 

APPY 

110

Pop icons of queers were celebrated with 

Projekt Gestalten b2b Deepneue closing off their 

set, dancing in crown and dress at the Crane 

Stage on Saturday evening with Beyoncé’s ‘ 

Flawless’. Some of the more eclectic and 

noteworthy gigs were those of Darlkom, Nsasi and 

Authentically Plastic, from Kampala, Uganda’s 

‘ANTI-MASS’. Through sound the collective aims 

to reclaim space for minorities in an increasingly 

regressive social climate. 

Boris, who was attending as guest, filled in last 

minute for D.Tiffany - who unfortunately had to 

cancel being sick - at the Crane Stage with his 

signature sound. BASHKKA closed the beach 

stage with an energetic set on Saturday night 

where earlier, Kiddy Smile had everyone rolling on 

sensuous basslines despite the brief but intense 

rainstorm. Another unique set was delivered by 

Cocktail d’Amore related new comer Carly Zeng 

who ended her set with a slow-paced 

Happy Hardcore track. The Chicago based ‘Rumors’ 

closed the Forest Stage ending with a couple 

of Punta songs, a traditional Afro-indigenous 

genre originated by the Garifuna people on the 

Caribbean island of Saint Vincent. 

WHOLE 

111

112

113

INTIMATE 

114 

VIBE

Design: @cozcon 

Empowerment Festival für 

Trans* Jugend (13-18 Jahre) 

28–30 Oktober 2022 

115

ON THE 

GROUND 

WITH JANA + SARAH 

ASHTON-CIRILLO 

I had a long conversation with Jana, who I came across on Twitter a couple of weeks after the invasion started. Jana had been interviewed by someone 

where she talked about having to flee the Russian Army for a second time now. Jana is from Syria. She moved to Ukraine to study medicine with the desire 

to live life like any other young person, away from war. Now, Jana is in Germany, which is the third country she’s lived in since she left Syria. Though 

happy she escaped missiles and rockets yet again, she’s living in uncertainty. Her biggest dream is to become a doctor, however, the German education 

system is incredibly strict and the only option for her would be to start from scratch again. Read my interview with Jana, or scan the QR code to listen to 

the audio interview. 


“Some 

international 

students went 

back to continue 

their studies 

in their home 

countries. But 

what about me, 

where will 

I go back to?” 

116

Can you tell me a little bit about your 

journey? 

Jana: I'm originally from Syria. So, I 

lived and studied in Syria when the war 

started. Soon after, I decided to leave and 

continue my studies somewhere else. First, 

I went to Lebanon because you can just go 

there as a Syrian national. I continued my 

studies there for a while, and then applied 

to a university in Ukraine. They accepted 

me, so I got a student visa and moved 

there. 

How long were you in Ukraine before you 

had to flee? 

Jana: I have been staying in Ukraine for 

four years. Everything was fine there until 

this war started. 

When did you decide to leave Ukraine? 

Jana: I left Ukraine on my own when I 

realised that no one was coming to rescue 

us. 

I lived in Sumy, right by the Russian 

border. When the invasion began, we 

heard rumours that the Red Cross would 

send busses to evacuate us, so we packed 

everything – but no one ever came. Many 

of my friends and people I knew started 

to leave by themselves by sharing a taxi. 

That’s what I then decided to do, too. 

How long was your journey? 

Jana: I spent two or three days on the 

road until I got to the Polish border. I 

stayed in Poland for a night and then took 

a train to Berlin. 

How's everything going now? Are you 

studying at university again? 

Jana: My life is not easy at all at this 

moment. I'm still at my university, I didn't 

drop out. And that’s mainly because it 

isn’t easy to transfer from one university to 

another, especially in the European Union. 

It’s either super expensive, or I have to 

start from the beginning again. Those 

aren’t viable options for me. 

I was wondering if you could tell me a 

little bit about your treatment in Germany. 

As you might have heard, there is a lot 

of criticism that Europeans are accepting 

Ukrainians with open arms, but aren’t that 

welcoming towards other refugees. 

Jana: I can talk as a Syrian person only 

because I don't know about others. For 

me, they didn't treat me badly. I felt that 

I was treated almost the same. I think 

everything is quite similar. But I know that 

Africans get treated very different. 

In terms of everything you've experienced, 

fleeing one war to another. How are 

you coping? Or are you suppressing 

everything? 

Jana: I'm doing both. I am a two-time 

refugee. Having been born a Syrian 

woman, I always wanted to become a 

doctor. I had my fair share of challenges. 

In the last five years, I had to escape from 

Russia’s aggression against Syria and 

became a refugee. 

I then worked hard to enrol at the Sumy 

State Medical University in Ukraine, where 

I had to escape from another Russian 

aggression and became a refugee again. 

So now It's very hard for me to be in a 

country I don't know much about. I left my 

two homes in an unbelievable way. I’m still 

traumatised and stressed. I feel fear inside 

me all the time, fear from the future and 

everything else. 

How do you cope with the information war 

and the Russian army committing such 

atrocities based on lies? 

Jana: I met an old person here in 

Germany. I don't know if he's German or 

not. He was defending what the Russians 

are doing in Ukraine. He told me they 

didn’t allow people to speak Russian. 

Then I told him I was there and that that 

is not true, because I speak Ukrainian 

as a foreigner and 99% of Ukrainian 

citizens speak Russian everywhere within 

Ukraine, such as in offices, on the street or 

universities, for example. 

Then he started telling me I should go back 

and read old books to understand that 

Russians have the right to do everything 

they’re doing. That’s when I understood 

there was no point trying to convince him. 

What matters in the end are the witnesses 

who were present on the ground in 

Ukraine, as well as dealing with Ukrainians 

on a daily basis. Ukrainians don’t deserve 

all what’s happening to them. 

Also, there aren’t only Ukrainians in 

Ukraine, there are a lot of nationalities. All 

the international students felt like we left 

our home. We were sad to leave. 

But we had to because we had no water, 

no food, no electricity and no cash. We 

had nothing. It wasn’t safe for us to stay 

there. 

I just want to add something else. We 

are all trying to protect the human rights 

of Ukrainian citizens, but who's going to 

protect the human rights of international 

students who fled Ukraine during the war? 

No universities are opening their doors for 

us just to continue from where we stopped. 

I applied to so many universities, but 

haven’t heard back from a single one. 

I don’t want to waste my time and start all 

over again with my studies. I have escaped 

the war in Syria and had to take extra 

classes in every country I lived in. I don’t 

want to start all over again just because I 

fled another war. 

Some international students went back 

to continue their studies in their home 

countries. But what about me, where will I 

go back to? To Syria? To another war, to a 

threatening and dangerous place? 

I can’t even imagine what you’re going 

through, I’m so sorry. It’s horrendous how 

there are categories of which people will 

receive help, and which won’t. 

Jana: It is not easy at all. I’m always 

worried and overthinking about what 

is coming next. Sometimes I have panic 

attacks or cry suddenly with non-stop. I’m 

willing to stay in Germany, continue my life 

here and try to make some differences as a 

future doctor in the country that accepted 

me as a double refugee. Because I couldn’t 

do anything in my home country Syria, 

where I belong. 

Since Germany helped me, I would like 

to do something in return, something to 

show the government and society my 

appreciation for their support that they 

offered me. 

Hopefully, in the future, I will be able to 

help them and work as a doctor here. But 

at this moment, I'm tired, both emotionally 

and physically. I'm not ready to face any 

new challenges yet. 

All photos are provided by courtesy of 

Jana. Click here or scan the QR code to 

listen to the audio interview. This interview 

was originally broadcasted on Refuge 

Worldwide. 

If you want to keep up with Jana, you can 

follow her on Twitter at 

@Jana_Kalaaji 

117

“The other reason I’m 

not going back to the 

US right now is that 

there’s no place in the 

world where I’m safer 

than Kharkiv. And 

that’s the reality. I’ve 

done enough to upset 

the Russians. 

There’s some concern 

over my wellbeing, 

but as long as I’m in 

Kharkiv Oblast, I’m 

dealing with war, but 

on a personal level, no 

one will be able to get 

to me” 

That’s how Sarah Ashton-Cirillo closed our 

interview end of August. We had a long 

conversation about her staying in Ukraine 

without ever having experienced war before 

and why she feels safer in Ukraine, as a 

trans woman, than in the US. 

You can listen to the full conversation on 

Spotify, Apple Podcast, Refuge Worldwide or 

Amazon. 

If you want to keep up with Sarah, you can 

do so on her Twitter via @SarahAshtonLV or 

subscribe to her Newsletter. 

Photo by Sarah. 

118

DJs 

LIVE 

PERFORMERS 

FILM - 

SCREENING 

FAMILY 

FRIENDLY 

WORKSHOPS 

PANEL - 

DISCUSSIONS 

studiopanorama.de 

OONA / OHM & 

TRESOR GARDEN 

and online 

30. SEP & 

01. OCT 22 

REFUGEWORLDWIDE.COM119

AISENBERG 

DENIM 

Tanja Fedoseeva, Aisenberg Denim founder talks about the difficulties of relocation because of war in Ukraine, 

resetting the brand's values, and what comes next. 

The AISENBERG label officially launched in 2016, when young and daring entrepreneur from Odesa, Ukraine had 

studied in detail all secrets of jeans manufacturing. With her label, the founder is striving to innovate on denim 

production, taking a less harmful and more quality-oriented approach. The inspiration behind each AISENBERG 

collection comes from her native city Odesa and its beautiful harbour. Now, the label founder and part of the team 

has relocated to Germany. The main task is increase awareness and expand the business. Therefore, the brand 

decides to launch a new line, called Aisenberg Berlin, more daring and avant-garde. 

120

Tell me, what does the brand need to do 

to get over the relocation? 

Fear is the enemy of progress. Making 

any relocation steps, I repeat that 

phrase as a mantra, and keep moving 

forward. Actually, this stage in the life 

of a company is a severe test; it is a 

large-scale renewal of all the business 

processes and the movement with a large 

number of unknown variables. It took me 

two months to analyze market demands, 

reformat business processes and take 

a leap. As I am still figuring out all this 

process, it is better to get back to talking 

about my suggestions in a year. My main 

message to all who roll the dice and get 

through such a way is to clearly realize 

that the relocation is a highly risky project 

that requires great investment. 

Why did you choose Berlin? 

Berlin breathes with its freedom; it is a 

multinational town, one of the most liberal 

cities in Germany. The city where people 

feel free. 

What is the most inspiring thing about 

Berlin for you? 

The people. I live in one of the youth 

districts of Berlin so every day I have a 

chance to observe and inspire. 

What are your favorite places, pastime in 

the city? 

Helmut Newton Foundation, Museum 

Insel, Qbeach in the summer, 

Savignyplatz to sit and watch the 

passers-by. 

Tell more about the mission of the 

AISENBERG Denim line? 

Its task is to make women beautiful. 

Therefore, we continue to produce perfect 

jeans. We are highly motivated and 

are working on it 24\7. We have such 

huge support from our colleagues and 

friends worldwide. This is so touching. 

We got attention. Moreover, we believe 

it is not just because of the war. We are 

incredibly hardworking and creative. 

What kind of women do you see in your 

clothes? 

Self-contained and ambitious modern 

women, but those who don’t forget about 

their nature, lightness, and comfort, 

which actually denim brings, with hints of 

sexuality. 

What do you think, why do Berlin and 

Ukraine have such a close link? 

The Ukrainians are democratic, 

emotional, individual, religious, peaceful, 

and the most important freedom-loving, 

they love their patrimony. Berlin is like 

a mirror, which reflects most of these 

characteristics. It is welcoming as well for 

those who are looking for their happiness 

in this city, it is multifaceted, multinational, 

and the main resemblance - it is free, a 

city of free people. 

@aisenberg_denim 

121

„LOVE AND HOPE ARE SO STRONG AND SO 

UNDERESTIMATED BECAUSE THEY’RE SO 

ROMANTICISED” – IN CONVERSATION WITH 

122LIE NING

Lie Ning’s music is like the embrace of 

a hug – warm, comforting and without 

judgement. Times are exciting for the 

Berlin-based artist, with the release of 

Ning’s upcoming single “Offline” coming 

up on the 30th of September, followed 

by a studio album on the 21st of October. 

KALTBLUT. caught up with Ning to chat 

about what it’s like to grow up in a squat 

in the early 2000s in Berlin and how the 

city has changed in general. As everyone 

would know: It’s kinda hard finding real 

Berliners in Berlin, so as soon as you 

find one, you ask them all the questions 

about what it’s like growing up in a city 

that’s so rich in history, change, and 

culture. 

123

I've seen that you grew up in 

Prenzlauer Berg just after the Berlin 

Wall fell. Can you tell me a little bit 

about what your childhood in 

reunified Germany was like and how 

it shaped you as a person and 

musician now? 

Lie: I, unfortunately, didn’t experience east 

Berlin as much as I could have. My mother 

and the people I was living in this commune 

with 25 people who were all mostly from 

Western Germany. They migrated to East 

Berlin because of the cheap buildings. There 

used to be this programme that helped 

people buy property and rebuild completely 

rundown houses. 

There were so many abandoned buildings! 

There was this huge movement of renewal, 

which had an impact on me. As a child, I 

remember not being able to go anywhere 

and being in contact with people you 

wouldn't be in contact with now – especially 

in Prenzlauer Berg! 

I remember one of my Kindergarten teachers 

was from East Germany. They were very 

loving but very tough. I remember their 

style was a lot simpler compared to people 

from Western Germany, I loved it. There 

was so much potential, everybody felt this 

huge opportunity to create and build from 

scratch. Because of this newfound energy, 

there was no judgement. Another thing was 

uncertainty and not knowing what was going 

to happen – nobody knew if the wall was 

gone! But, at the same time, all of a 

sudden, you could just freely move sides. I 

was brought up with that kind of energy. 

At that time, I was living with many 

creatives who based their work on topics 

like freedom. I guess that really shaped me 

and is still something really important in my 

work. 

Can you tell me about that commune 

you grew up in? It sounds very 

unconventional and cool! 

Lie: My mother is one of the founders. She 

helped to rebuild and refurbish this house 

for over two years. They lived on a construction 

site. They were young people that 

wanted to try to live by a different concept. 

Rather than sharing just the necessary 

necessities, it was a proper community. 

One person was cooking for the 25 people 

that lived there, we had political 

organisations, there was a food stall where 

we could get local and seasonal produce, 

and we had neighbourhood parties. There 

was a lot to it! 

That’s so interesting because 

nowadays, Berlin can sometimes be 

a cold and lonely city for a lot of 

people. It seems within this short 

time, the city must have changed 

drastically. Do you miss the Berlin 

you grew up in? 

Lie: It changed so fast, and I lived with the 

change. I still appreciate how it is now. 

However, Berlin as a city is missing 

something, for sure. It is a missing 

opportunity for people that cannot afford 

the high rents. That's a general problem: 

These kinds of safe spaces are missing. 

There's still the Tuntenhaus at Kastanienallee, 

which we were very much connected 

to. These places create spaces for people 

that are not legal in this country, because 

they are better connected with lawyers, etc. 

I think you can feel the lack of these places 

in the city. 

When you're saying the city sometimes feels 

cold, I agree. There are still areas that have 

a communal feeling. But, slowly even they 

are becoming more and more exclusive and 

based on profit and physical exchange. 

"Berlin, as a 

city, is missing 

something. 

It is a missing 

opportunity for 

people that 

can not afford 

the high rents." 

124

125

126

It’s almost like it’s turned into a 

business in some way. And what 

were your first encounters with 

music like? 

Lie: My mother was always into music. 

I was very young when we started going to 

concerts. I remember Seeed was one of the 

first concerts I went to, which is incredible. I 

still love them. They create such a 

beautiful vibe and space when they're performing 

while projecting that sense of unity. 

They come from that time in Germany where 

there was a movement of black and brown 

people in the 90s. Unfortunately, it died out 

over the years. Back then, a lot of people 

were coming here – Berlin was this melting 

pot. 

Why do you think that is? 

Lie: I think it's coming back. From what 

I'm feeling in the music scene, it's still 

small, and it's not supported as it should 

be. There's a big scene of Neo-Soul artists, 

which are connecting over the borders of 

industry. The German industry is so tight 

and outdated, that it's time for someone 

else to move into it. I don't think it's 

possible to do so from within. It has to come 

from the outside because it needs a new 

perspective. 

I want to talk about your music. If 

you had to describe your sound in 

three words, what would they be? 

Lie: Warm, loving and radical. 

I like that! When it comes to starting 

as a musician in Berlin. Do you think 

it’s easier for you because you’re doing 

something else besides Techno? 

Lie: Honestly, I think so. For the stuff that 

I'm writing right now, I want to integrate a 

little Techno. I grew up with Techno and I 

desire to create something when the party is 

over, and you want to feel embraced. I want 

to get to that point after an energetic 

line-up and be like: “Okay, we're here now. 

You can come down. You're not alone. 

Whatever you've taken, whatever person 

you got off with. It's all good, you’re good!” 

Like an after-party/comedown vibe? 

Lie: I would love to see that! Artists like 

Billie Eilish, who I love, ask a lot of 

questions and start the conversation on a 

lot of important topics, such as mental 

health for example. But sometimes 

there's a lack of answers and a lack of 

what now? There needs to be pickup. 

Love and hope are so strong and so underestimated 

because they’re so 

romanticised. 

But, it's a practice, a vibe, and something 

we can work on. It's probably the 

strongest motor in our society. That's 

what I'm going to address most. 

And, I think that shows in your 

music, as well. I want to ask you 

for your opinion on how Berlin has 

changed when it comes to the 

LGBTQ+ community. 

Just recently there was a lot of 

criticism about the CSD for being 

commercial and anti-Trans, for 

example. 

Lie: I can't tell you to be honest, because 

I never went. It was never an event I 

enjoyed because I have experienced 

both sexism and racism. It's always been 

commercialised, I think it's a lie when 

people are saying this has changed. Of 

course, it's stronger now, but it’s always 

been commercial. 

To concentrate on that is so sad because 

there are just so many events in Berlin 

around pride that are political. There are 

some incredible demonstrations. When 

you go to pride, there are mostly white 

people and white gay. There are other 

incredible events in the city. 

"For the trans 

community, it’s not 

safe. For black and 

brown people it’s not 

safe. There are a lot 

of Asians and queer 

Asians, for them, it’s 

also not safe. " 

127

Would you say Berlin is a 

safe city for queer people? 

Lie: No, it’s not. It’s still a lot 

better than a lot of other 

places because it is such a huge 

community. I love going 

to Schöneberg sometimes 

because I also forget how this 

is a place where you can walk 

the streets as freely as you 

want. 

I think it's a terrible thing Berlin 

is selling itself like that. Berlin is 

profiting and getting a lot from 

that reputation because people 

come here with an expectation. 

It's not. And it's important to 

see. 

For the trans community, it’s 

not safe. For black and brown 

people it’s not safe. There are a 

lot of Asians and queer Asians, 

for them, it’s also not safe. 

It all goes back to creating safe 

spaces. It's essential in times 

like these to establish more of 

these spaces, get state funding 

for them and let them be led by 

people from the community. 

Do you have three 

places you’d recommend 

in Berlin? 

Lie: Südblock, Schwuz and the 

growing ballroom community. 

Lie Ning is going on tour 

soon. You can purchase 

tickets here. 

Follow @lie__ning 

on Instagram to keep up 

to date on his upcoming 

music. 


Photography by Lukas Städler 

@lokkas and Anika Zachow 

@zachow_pictures 

128

129

FEERIC 

Text by Ferric Fashion Week @feericfashionweek 

Backstage Photos by Ancira Adeon @anciraadeon 

www.feeric.ro 

FASHION WEEK 

130

The 14th edition of Feeric Fashion Week took 

place between July 20st and 24th in Sibiu/ 

Transylvania/Romania and its surroundings. 

Since 2008, Feeric Fashion Week hasw been 

a meeting point to explore new trends and 

an important national and international 

showcase for creatives of the fashion world. 

For the 14th edition of Feeric Fashion Week brought, 

the focus was on designers and fashion schools from 

Eastern Europe that came to Sibiu between July 20 

and 24 to present their latest or graduate collections in 

unconventional spaces in the city and in Sibiu County. The 

fashion shows started with an unconventional show, in an 

atypical space, on the spiral that connects the first floor 

with the second floor of the Promenada Sibiu shopping 

center. 

Ukrainian designer Irina Dzhus opened the 14th 

edition of Feeric Fashion Week with a fall / winter 

2022 collection, produced exclusively using cruelty-free 

materials, according to the brand's ethical values. A 

theme that, by the way, we will find throughout this year's 

edition. 

In the same space followed the presentation of the 

Borbala brand, where the designer used only upcycled 

and recycled materials, including melted plastic bags 

and then transformed into evening dresses, accessorized 

with plastic caps and shampoo boxes. All these surprising 

details try to draw attention to the problems caused by 

global pollution. 

Alist Designers boutique returned to Feeric Fashion Week 

with a new selection of pieces by Romanian designers. 

The project initiated by Alist Magazine and supported 

by Bucharest Mall Vitan, continues to promote local 

creations, with over 50 names from the Romanian 

industry in the last two years. The presentation of the 

collection took place on the pedestrian passage on 

Manejului Street. The last presentation of the day took 

the audience and guests up the beautiful stairs of the 

Brukenthal Summer Palace in Avrig. Present for the 

fourth time at Feeric Fashion Week, the RAMELLE brand 

presented the Infinity collection at Avrig. 

On Friday, the second day of Feeric Fashion Week, at 

1 pm, at Cinegold, in Feeric Venue, students in clothing 

design from Romania, Poland and Italy presented their 

works resulting from their years of study in a large 

collective show. Students and graduates of the University 

of Art and Design in Cluj Napoca, the Faculty of Visual 

Arts and Design in Iași and the University of Timișoara, 

the School of Art and Fashion Design in Krakow or the 

Istituto Marangoni in Milan took part. 

At the end of the series of presentations, Istituto Europeo 

di Design and Feeric Fashion Week awarded the young 

Romanian designer Vișovan Anamaria Mihaela Mater 

from Art + Design Faculty, West University Timisoara with 

a full scholarship for the "Summer Course" that will take 

place on the IED campus in Barcelona, in July next 

year. 

From Venue, the fashion shows moved to another 

unconventional space, in the Remat warehouse on 

the outskirts of Sibiu. Among the cars mutilated 

and transformed into old beasts, the pieces of the 

new www.dressingz.com garments and HOOLDRA 

collection were showcased. 

Born out of concern for the planet and love for 

fashion, www.dressingz.com is the newest home of 

luxury pre-loved garments. In the form of a marketplace, 

this is the destination where you can shop and 

sell authentic goods, verified by international experts: 

from rare vintage items, IT contemporary pieces, and 

exclusive garments. 

www.dressingz.com is also an inspirational fashion 

hub, updating you with the latest trends and fashion 

news, or sharing styling ideas. 

We invite you all to #DressForTheBiggerPicture 

and rethink your shopping habits. Unite with our 

community by RE-styling RE-thinking, RE-loving, 

RE-inventing and finally, join us in a battle of REmodelling 

a polluting industry. 

For the second year in a row, the Hooldra brand is 

partnering with the Humane Society International in 

the global #FurFree campaign, which aims to raise 

the alarm about the use of natural furs in fashion. 

Everything in the Hooldra collection is "real", from 

recycled clothing, leftover fabrics and handmade 

shoes with recycled adhesive tapes, to choosing the 

location that reflects our environment. 

Before the last presentation of the day, at Cinegold 

took place a visual installation, entitled Home, at 

the origins - Făgăraș Country, a wide campaign of 

identity recovery of the traditional port in Romania 

and in the territories inhabited by Romanians, as it is 

worn and kept in Nowadays. 

The project is initiated by the La Blouse Roumaine 

community, in partnership with the Ţara Făgăraș 

Community Foundation, the Canvas and Storytelling 

Museum, Mândra Chic and local volunteers, in order 

to reconnect and develop communities through what is 

most valuable: cultural heritage. The event started at 

6 pm. 

Later, at 8 pm, on the terrace of Promenada Sibiu, 

the Synergia collection was unveiled to guests and 

spectators, a collection of 12 outfits that gives positive 

energy and harmony to the shapes that shape the 

silhouette, being inspired by the visual identity of 

Sibiu Promenade. The collection is made by the 

clothing designer Raluca Elena Coșăreanu. 

Saturday, the last day of the fashion shows during 

Feeric Fashion Week, started at 1 pm with two street 

presentations, on the ridge of Centumvirilor Street 

in the Historic Center. The first of them is supported 

131

DZHUS is a conceptual clothing and 

accessories brand founded in 2010 by 

Ukrainian designer and stylist 

Irina Dzhus. Avant-garde yet utilitarian, 

DZHUS designs are internationally recognised 

by their innovative cut and multi-purpose 

transformations.Since Russia began its attack 

on Ukraine, Irina Dzhus had to flee 

her Homeland and found her refuge in Western 

Europe, travelling between Warsaw, Paris and 

Berlin. 

Meanwhile, Irina’shusband and business 

partner Anatolii Elgert has resumed DZHUS’ 

production in Kyiv. DZHUS Autumn/Winter 

2022 collection refers to illusion as the 

fundamental notion of the metamodernism 

culture. Duality and hidden senses are 

undividable from DZHUS design itself, offering 

numerous metamorphoses of clothing and 

accessories, and clothing into accessories. 

The visual aesthetics of the looks is ironic and 

controversial within itself, hence, self-sufficient. 

In the Autumn/Winter line of unified wardrobe 

items, the designer’s fantasy went further than 

functional ‘bonuses’: duplicity is materialised 

literally, and the extra content is physically 

unveiled, as the pieces are transformed either 

when delaminated, or once their inside is 

extracted. The silhouettes are exaggeratedly 

structured, and the styles divide into two 

directions: abstract-escapist ‘cocoons’ versus 

markedly classic pieces, concealing potential 

for radical reincarnations. The collection is 

produced using cruelty-free materials only, 

according to DZHUS’ ethical values. 

DZHUS 

www.instagram.com/dzhus.conceptual.wear 

www.irinadzhus.com 

132

y the Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan, by 

a Romanian designer, graduate of the institute, 

Marinela Djurdj. 

Then, Andreea Pleşa presented the InBetween 

project, a project that wants to sound the alarm 

on the excessive consumerism that underlies the 

clothing industry, the collection thus becoming a 

spokesperson to draw attention to both material 

and physical abuses that it uses fast fashion. 

From Centumvirilor, the Feeric “caravan” moved to 

the industrial setting of the Boromir factory, where 

in the geometric space on the top floor of the 

factory we saw a new collection signed by Bianca 

Popp, the longest-lived designer present at Feeric 

Fashion Week. 

OUT OF THE BOX is a collection about the 

emotions that grow in us if we ignore them, 

until they come to dominate us, a collection of 

evening dresses so exatravagant that they become 

characters, made of rustling taffeta 

The fashion shows ended with the most awaited 

and well-known event of the fashion week in 

Sibiu, the Feeric Gala. For the first time since 

its establishment, the Gala did not take place 

in the Small Square but in the courtyard of the 

Evangelical Church in Huet Square. Was a gala 

full of pomp and surprises, with quality music and 

seven fashion shows that were more and more 

spectacular. As every year, the host of the gala 

was the TV star Cosmina Păsărin. 

"We are at the 14th edition of Feeric Fashion 

Week, the journey so far is incredible. We have 

managed to bring Sibiu to a place of great honor 

on the European fashion scene, to become the 

most important fashion week in Eastern Europe 

and one of the most creative in the world, but 

things are really starting now, with this edition of 

transition that prepares a new path. 

Thus, we will add continuity to the project by 

approaching an educational segment and by 

involving the local community. We continue to offer 

designers the most suitable launching pad through 

the connections created over these 14 years 

around the world and we will try to turn Feeric 

Fashion Week into a huge global fashion hub. And 

we are proud to create everything in Sibiu", says 

Mitichi, founder and president of Feeric Fashion 

Week. 

FEERIC 

FASHION WEEK 

133

FEERIC 

FASHION WEEK 

134

DZHUS 

135

BORBALA 

Will humans have a place in the new world defined by the consequences 

of our actions? Who is in fact endangered? The collection features 

many recycled and upcycled materials, such as melted plastic bags, 

recycled HDPE, reworked sportswear, and knitwear. Low-tech waterproof 

garments are one of the key items of the collection, referring to the 

dramatic consequences of climate change, that unfortunately many 

communities are already experiencing. 

The prints and accessories are inspired by different unicellular organisms 

playing with the utopian idea of new life forms rising from this chaos of 

the Anthropocene, and nature's capability to always renew and evolve. 

The silhouettes are playful and feminine, some of them incorporating 

elements from maternity clothes, as a symbol of change and the chance 

of rebirth. The diy finishings, childish drawings are an open invitation for 

anyone to be part of the change. We can all be creative and contribute 

to a better future. 

@b_o_r_b_a_l_a_ 

AIDA LORENA 

Before presenting the collection, designers Aida Lorena and Claudia 

would like to thank the organizers of the Feeric festival for all the 

support they have shown in the last four years and for all the wonderful 

challenges they have encountered since then. The "New" 2022 

collection tells the story of the spiritual alphabet of numbers from zero to 

nine with the help of colors and elements inspired by sacred geometry. 

Numbers have been and will remain consciousness and the primary 

and infinite source of inspiration from the beginning of time. Their story 

begins in a vacuum and contains all the stages of the creation of the 

universe, matter, and the human being. Too many words would load the 

imagination of the spectator, so the designers of the collection will leave 

an open door to the world of fantasy in which the creation creates itself 

through your pupil. And as if by magic, the story becomes ours! 

@aidalorenaatelier 

ALEXANDRA CATRANGIU STUDIO 

Inspired by the abstract paintings of Al Held (an abstract expressionist painter), 

I've created the Echo minimalist collection, named right after one of his works, 

bringing into focus and re-enacting the circle bicolor element. The circle 

represents evolution as a transformational process, the beginning and the end, 

the eternity. 

Minimalism never begins or ends, the joining of black and white continue 

to move within the circle, elegantly. The natural, sustainable materials also 

transform themselves on the line of time. The entire universe of sustainable 

clothing maintains things in a constant state of movement, a progression that 

inspires me towards continuit. 

@alexandracatrangiustudio 

FEERIC 

136 

FASHION WEEK

FEERIC 

FASHION WEEK 

BIANCA POPP 

OUT OF THE BOX, is a collection about the emotions that grow inside 

us when ignored, up to the point of bursting out and controlling us. 

It us a collection of evening dresses so extravagant that they become 

characters, made of noisy taffeta, so that not even those with the eyes 

in their phones would not miss their entrance. 

Loss of function, the last dress in the show, was inspired by the 

multicolored spinning wheel that tells us that the computer is blocked. 

@biancapoppofficial 

BIANCA RIPAN 

The concept around this collection is "the will to empower '' inspired from 

the woman's strength to rebuild herself after a trauma or disappointment, 

reshaping herself stronger every time and more aware of her own 

strengths. This collection is more than a storyline, it's a walk within the soul 

as nothing from what rebuilds herself has been randomly used or chosen, 

but rather as a form of expression, a metaphor. The materials used like: 

leather, latex, tulle are a gradual openness towards people and society. 

Also, the closure systems as well as the cutting design itself reveal the 

woman who now Knows what she has to do. 

This collection basically represents an extension of every woman's 

personality ( either revealed or not) who managed to rebuild herself from 

ashes at least once! It's a manifest of well deserved empowerment! 

@bianca.ripan 

DRESSINGZ 

Born out of concern for the planet and love for fashion, Dressingz 

is the newest home of luxury pre-loved garments. In the form of 

a market-place, this is the destination where you can shop and 

sell authentic goods, verified by international experts: from rare 

vintage items, IT contemporary pieces, and exclusive garments 

coming directly from our famous friends' dressings, to a wide 

selection of goods uploaded by fashion enthusiasts. 

Dressingz is also an inspirational fashion hub, updating you with 

the latest trends and fashion news, or sharing styling ideas. We 

invite you all to #DressForTheBiggerPicture and rethink your 

shopping habits. Unite with our community by RE-styling REthinking, 

RE-loving, RE-inventing and finally, join us in a battle of 

RE-modelling a polluting industry. 

@dressingz_store 

137

HOOLDRA 

Hooldra is a responsible upcycling brand and we are used to seeing its 

marvelous collaborations with emerging creatives for a new ethical standard 

in fashion. For the new collection, with considerably less impact on the 

environment, HOOLDRA involved once again Mira Wanderlust and Jacqueline 

Barth. On the first side, Mira wants to reflect a kind of punk concept by mixing 

raw hand-painted fabrics, unfinished art and graffiti with an aesthetic approach. 

The idea is to reflect the interior youth, no matter the age. 

Jacqueline, instead, shows us the importance of upcycling, reflecting through 

tiny details that re-using garments and accessories is always a solution for a 

better environment. We can see a kind of enthusiasm, a challenge to do the 

best with what you already have. Creativity gains a main role when you are 

scarce. Jacqueline completes the styling with accessories like chains and safety 

pins. Everything in the collection is ‘real’, starting from the deadstock upcyled 

garments, leftover fabrics and hand-made shoes with recycled adhesive bands, 

to the choice of the location to reflect our environment and the choice of the 

models. The artistic moment will be joined by a media campaign initiated by 

Feeric Fashion Week and Humane Society International in Romania, which aims 

to stop the use of furs and natural leather in fashion creations. 

@hooldra 

CASI COUTURE 

Casi Couture created the Own The Moment collection for the woman proud of her sexuality, who loves luxury, attention, and 

to draw all eyes on her, to remain an unforgettable memory in the eyes of viewers. The transparent tulle hand-accessorized 

in hundreds of hours of work with extremely precious elements, transposes the inner brilliance of the invincible woman to the 

outside, the fragility of the feathers show us at the same time how fragile a strong woman can be, while the pearls remind us 

about the elegance and the refinement of the feminine beauty. 

@casi.couture 

138 

FEERIC 

FASHION WEEK

SANDRA CHIRA 

Dear Spacegirl - RTW 2023 Sandra Chira 

translates into clothing language a fragment 

from the designer's childhood. "After skiing, 

at the end of spring, I used to pick crocus 

flowers ...". In the winter of this year, the 

mountain landscape followed the same 

delicate aesthetic, but it had more plastic 

bags and snowy packaging than flowers. 

The project has the role of a self-portrait 

- subtly incorporating in some technical 

details specific to the retro ski suit, brought 

in a feminine context of warm and cold 

whites, shades of pink, blue and colored 

grays. The graphic elements speculated in 

prints and textile structures are the spring 

flowers whose root grows in plastic bags. 

@sandra.chira 

139

IN CONVERSATION 

WITH VITSCHE 

140


Photos provided by Julia Sonata & Chris Knickerbocker. 

IF YOU’VE GONE TO ANY UKRAINE-PROTEST IN BERLIN, YOU’VE 

PROBABLY COME ACROSS THEM. THEY WERE ACTIVE FROM THE 

SECOND TENSIONS ROSE AND HAVE DONE SEEMINGLY 

EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE IN BERLIN. 

WE CAUGHT UP WITH KRISTA, VITSCHE’S PRESS MANAGER, 

TO TALK TO HER ABOUT THE MEANING OF VITSCHE AND HOW 

A YOUNG GROUP OF PEOPLE HELPED TO CREATE SUCH A BIG 

SENSE OF COMMUNITY. 

141

What’s the meaning of “vitsche”? 

Krista: It's a very old word in the 

Ukrainian language, already present 

in the early stages of Ukrainian 

society since around the sixth century. 

It's a council that makes decisions 

and changes together to represent 

a community. That’s why we named 

our organisation like that. It’s of big 

significance in the Ukrainian heritage 

and has become ever more important 

since 2014. 

It's the perfect name for an 

organisation like yours. Have you 

been active since 2014? Or did you 

start around February earlier this 

year? 

Krista: We started in January 2022 

and organised the first protests, when 

it was already notable that tensions ran 

quite high at the borders. We asked 

the European Union and Germany for 

sanctions and to send weapons in advance, 

so Ukraine would be prepared 

in case something happened. Of 

course, the protests before the 24th of 

February were quite small. We were in 

front of the Russian Embassy and the 

Brandenburger Tor. No sanctions and 

no weapon deliveries from Germany 

were happening at this time. 

But then, on the 24th of February, we 

came together and organised the first 

big protests. And from that on, we 

organised one or two protests every 

week until July. Now, we cut back 

because of the summer break. 

Come autumn, we’ll try to be more 

conceptual about the protests – so 

they create a bigger impact. 

Each one of your protests, as you 

said, has a message and a sense of 

community, which I think is very 

interesting and unique. 

Can you tell me a little bit about 

the Ukrainian community in Berlin 

before February? 

Krista: In Berlin, there was a 

Ukrainian community before. Some 

Ukrainian organisations have been 

providing aid to Ukraine since at 

least 2014, such as Ukraine-Hilfe 

Berlin e.V., and Plast. . I think some 

activists, who are a little older than 

us, tried to build a community, but as 

far as I know, there wasn’t that big of 

a Ukrainian community here. 

Before the full-scale invasion, 

Ukrainians were more present in the 

so-called post-Soviet places. Now, 

most Ukrainians are distancing themselves 

from this community, as it's 

often very hostile to Ukrainians, and 

we don’t feel understood. It’s also not 

good for Ukrainian subjectivity. 

Since February, everything has 

changed. So, of course, a lot of people 

came to Germany. We're speaking 

about one million refugees from 

Ukraine now. 

A lot of them came to Berlin. 

142

143

Now, we have a very huge and very strong 

community with a strong identity. We're 

Ukrainian, we don't want to be simply defined 

as post-Soviet, we have our own culture, 

heritage, and identity. This perception of 

subjectivity among the diaspora was not as 

strong before 2022. 

So, Vitsche came about around a month 

before the full-scale invasion. How did you 

cope with that sudden influx of refugees? It 

must have turned into a full-time job from 

one day to another with you being thrown 

from living a relatively normal life, to 

having to deal with war. How did you, as an 

organisation, deal with that? 

Krista: It was chaotic. We weren’t an official 

NGO yet in the beginning, which made it 

difficult for us to raise money. If we wanted 

to raise money, we had to do it through the 

bank accounts of NGOs we helped with 

communication work for their fundraising 

campaigns 

From one day to another, we had a lot of 

people who were scared about their relatives, 

the threat to Ukrainian identity and the 

uncertainty of what was going to happen. We 

experienced this huge amount of grief, and 

Vitsche helped a lot of us to connect, help 

and feel useful. Just like that, people s 

uddenly had 12- to 14-hour work days, some 

even quit their jobs or paused their studies, 

so they could help out full-time, while others 

helped out on top of a full-time job. 

Some even had to change jobs because their 

employers weren’t happy with their side 

engagements. It had a big impact on all of 

us. We now have this term called “War-Life- 

Balance”, which sums up this chaotic state 

in the beginning. We were working non-stop 

and didn’t have any time to process. So many 

of us don't even remember the first weeks or 

months of the invasion, there was just no time 

to think about what's going on. 

I know what you mean. The last six months 

seem like they've gone past very, very 

quickly, but at the same time, a lot has 

happened. Out of curiosity, are there only 

Ukrainians working at Vitsche? 

Krista: It's mostly Ukrainians. We have some 

Germans and other nationalities helping out, 

but I would say it’s 90% Ukrainians. 

Are some of the refugees who are now based 

in Berlin working with you too? I remember 

going to one of your protests with my friend 

from Kyiv, and he recognised a couple of 

people. 

144

145

146

147

148

149

Krista: Exactly! We have a lot of 

refugees in the team. It changed a 

lot, though, because, in the beginning, 

everyone was activated and 

wanted to do as much as they could 

when they arrived. 

But then, people got overwhelmed 

and didn't want to be confronted with 

the war all the time, they needed 

distance because it was too much 

for them emotionally. Some people 

also went back to Ukraine. As a core 

team, we haven't changed much. 

How do you deal with the fact, that 

the conversation about Ukraine is 

slowly getting less? 

Krista: It was one of the toughest 

realisations when we saw that 

throughout the summer. It seemed 

people stopped caring as much as 

they did in the beginning. I'm working 

with the media, so I noticed that 

people started losing interest in July. 

The conversation is now focused on 

Germany – on the rising gas prices 

and the energy crisis. That’s fair. 

But sometimes it seems there is this 

lack of understanding of how bad 

it still is in Ukraine. A lot of people 

were very hurt and took refuge in the 

community because here, everyone is 

still speaking about it doing as much 

as they can. 

We don't have that if we leave our 

Ukrainian space. When talking to 

German friends, politicians or journalists, 

it is noticeable that it’s not 

the top priority anymore. Of course, 

that’s normal on the one side, but if 

you're personally affected, it hurts. 

Since the influx of Ukrainian 

refugees, there’s been a big conversation 

about racism in Germany and 

how Ukrainian refugees are treated 

fairer and better than other refugees. 

Have you received any criticism 

like that? 

Krista: No, we didn’t. We are also 

working with an organisation that is 

taking care of refugees that have a 

different citizenship, not EU or 

Ukrainian, and supports BIPOCs 

that were living in or/and studying in 

Ukraine. As organisations, we have 

different struggles. 

The “Third country nationals” have it 

much tougher in Germany. The conversation 

about how much systematic 

racism they face here isn’t big enough. 

There were a lot of headlines at the 

beginning of the full scale invasion 

about how they were treated at the 

borders. But, there was no outcry 

about how they are treated in 

Germany by German officials or by the 

German system. 

This is a big problem because here 

come the main challenges—for 

example when it comes to paragraph 

24. Together with other organizations 

we fight for every person that fled from 

the Russian war in Ukraine and faces 

systematic discrimination in Germany. 

What can we expect from Vitsche in 

the upcoming couple of weeks and 

months? 

Krista: Early September, we had a 

small team in Lviv doing our theatre 

performance at a festival. We stay in 

touch with Ukrainian organisations, 

civil society and the culture sector 

to understand what is needed in our 

home country and how we can help 

In a way you’re the German 

representatives in Ukraine. 

Krista: From the civil society, yes, in 

some way. 

150

151

152 

Keep up with Vitsche on Instagram @vitsche_berlin, 

or explore their resources and projects via their 

website: vitsche.org

153

Book Club 

EDUCATE YOURSELF 

01 

Jasmina Kuhnke is an unmistakable voice 

in the fight against racism in this country. In 

her first novel, she talks about what it does 

to you to always stand out. The protagonist 

of her book, a black first-person narrator, 

grows up on the outskirts of the Ruhr area 

in the 1990s. At home, a violent stepfather 

rages, at school there is little support, but a 

lot of exclusion. 

At a children's birthday party, a neo-Nazi 

suddenly appears in the door when the bell 

rings. The protagonist knows what it's like 

to expect the worst every day until the worst 

becomes a given. Where doors open for 

others, they close more and more for the 

first-person narrator until she herself is 

convinced that she has nothing to offer the 

world. She gets into a violent relationship, 

cementing the dependency with two 

pregnancies. Only when it is almost too late 

does she manage to free herself and the 

children. Kuhnke's book shows how racism 

weaves itself into the souls of the people 

affected. It won't let anyone go anytime 

soon because it hurts. 

SCHWARZES HERZ BY JASMINA KUHNKE 

GET IT VIA 

WWW.ROWOHLT.DE 

154

02 

In 2018, Ahmed M. Badr – an Iraqi-American poet 

and former refugee - traveled around the world to 

gather narratives and creative contributions from 

dozens of displaced young refugees living in 

camps as well as those adjusting to life after 

resettlement. 

While the Earth Sleeps We Travel is a collection of 

young voices -including Badr’s own poetry- that 

explore the concept of “home” and the 

complexities of displacement. 

WHILE THE EARTH SLEEPS WE TRAVEL 

BY AHMED M. BADR 

GET IT VIA 

WWW.EARTHSLEEPSWETRAVEL.COM 

03 

Out of the impoverished coal regions of Ukraine known as the 

Donbass, where Russian secret military intervention coexists 

with banditry and insurgency, the women of Yevgenia 

Belorusets’s captivating collection of stories emerge from the 

ruins of a war, still being waged on and off, ever since the 2014 

Revolution of Dignity. Through a series of unexpected 

encounters, we are pulled into the ordinary lives of these 

anonymous women: a florist, a cosmetologist, card players, 

readers of horoscopes, the unemployed, and a witch who 

catches newborns with a mitt. One refugee tries 

unsuccessfully to leave her broken umbrella behind as if it 

were a sick relative; a private caregiver in a disputed zone 

saves her elderly charge from the angel of death; a woman sits 

down on International Women’s Day and can no longer stand 

up; a soldier decides to marry war. Belorusets threads these 

tales of ebullient survival with a mix of humor, verisimilitude, 

the undramatic, and a profound Gogolian irony. She also 

weaves in twenty-three photographs that, in lyrical and 

historical counterpoint, form their own remarkable visual 

narrative. 

LUCKY BREAKS BY YEVGENIA BELORUSETS 

GET IT VIA 

WWW.AMAZON.COM 

155

156

157

chereshnivska.com 

www.instagram.com/chereshnivska 

CHERESHNIVSKA 

D U R I N G H E L S I N K I F A S H I O N , 

W E E K T H E U K R A I N I A N B R A N D 

C H E R E S H N I V S K A P R E S E N T E D 

A N E W S U S T A I N A B L E 

C O L L E C T I O N 2 4 0 2 D E D I C A T E D 

T O T H E R E C E N T E X P E R I E N C E S 

O F T H E I R N A T I O N . T H E 

I M A G E S I N T H E S H O W , O N E B Y 

O N E , C O N V E Y T H E S T A T E O F A 

E U R O P E A N P E R S O N I N W H O S E 

H O M E W A R H A S C O M E . 

E U R O P E A N S , B E C A U S E T H E Y 

A R E U K R A I N I A N S . T H E 

C O L L E C T I O N I S A S Y M B O L O F 

T H E E M O T I O N A L S T A T E O F A N 

E N T I R E N A T I O N T H A T I S 

D E S P E R A T E L Y F I G H T I N G F O R 

A N O R M A L L I F E . 

"First of all, I wanted to support 

everyone who is currently 

experiencing it and remind 

them that they are not alone in 

this "journey". At the same 

time, we want to once again 

draw attention to the war in 

Ukraine. After all, art is also a 

weapon, - noted the designer 

of the brand Anastasiya 

Rozava, - The real experience of 

our team is daily air alarms and 

the unknown. We are gloomy, 

but with a fighting spirit, so the 

collection is flashy and bold.” 

It all starts with vulnerability 

and panic. Dark purple, 

burgundy and orange outfits 

open the collection. Next we 

see transparent fabrics and 

textures. This is a break, a limit, 

a bare nerve. 

Then comes the phase of 

acceptance and imitation of 

normal life. 

Сoffee on the way to work, 

walking with loved ones and 

planning for the future. 

But night air alarms and 

missile attacks are continuing. 

So the collection ends with 

grey and black tones, - prints of 

explosions and clouds of 

smoke over Ukrainian cities. 

Some looks were created in 

collaboration with Tereza 

Barabash, a Ukrainian textile 

artist. She created a series of 

lightweight hand woven 

fabrics from the pieces that 

would otherwise end up 

unused.

Tereza's works are in museums and 

private collections all over the world. 

Other looks are made from second-hand 

items, vintage parachutes and organic 

textiles. 

Deconstructivism and asymmetry 

reinforce the main idea of the collection. 

The oversized styles and straight cut 

make it gender neutral. 

Music for the show by Yuri Dyadka helps 

the viewer emotionally immerse for a 

few minutes. 

The 2402 collection will be available for 

pre-order in September 2022. Existing 

collections can be purchased now on the 

brand's website. 

"We believe that design combined with 

artistic value and a sustainable practice 

will always matter. 

CHERESHNIVSKA a is a Ukrainebased 

unisex brand founded in 2016. 

We are focusing on innovations 

and sustainability. Till 2024, 50% of 

production will be made from recycled 

items. All our designs are available in 

very limited quantities. 

Most feature the unique hand-drawn 

prints by our creative director Anastasiya 

Rozava. Every collection is driven by a 

strong core idea, yet still open for an 

interpretation. We try to reflect the 

modern world and show it through the 

designs and prints." 

159

160

163

164

165

JEAN 

CLARACQ 

INTERVIEW BY FLEUR HELLUIN 

GALERIESULTANA.COM/ARTISTS/JEAN-CLARACQ 

INSTAGRAM : @JEANCLARACQ 

TIKTOKING IN 

THE MIDDLE AGES 

I AM BUT A SHEEP, SO LET ME HOWL 

WITH WOLVES, AS I SHARE WITH YOU MY 

LOVE FOR JEAN CLARACQ. BORN IN 1991 

IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE, CLARACQ 

GRADUATED FROM THE BEAUX-ARTS IN 

PARIS IN 2017. HE HAS SINCE WON 

NUMEROUS AWARDS AND HELD PRESTIGIOUS 

SHOWS ALL OVER FRANCE. 

I FIRST FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SPACE 

IN HIS WORK - IT’S COMPRESSED, LIKE 

A SOLID 128 MP3. YOU CAN FEEL THE 

INFLUENCE OF THE 3D AESTHETIC, BUT 

ALSO OF THE FLEMISH PRIMITIVES. IT'S 

WEIRD TO SEE ARTICLES DESCRIBING HIS 

WORK AS ULTRA-MODERN, BECAUSE, TO 

ME, IT REPRESENTS THE YEARS 1430 – 

1480, IN A GOOD WAY. 

LOOK AT HOW THE FIGURES SPREAD 

ACROSS THE SURFACE, 

166

167

168

169

170

HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY? 

WHEN I GO TO THE STUDIO, USUALLY 

THE FIRST THING I DO IS CHECK 

WHETHER THE WORK FROM THE DAYS 

BEFORE IS DRYING THE WAY I THOUGHT 

IT WOULD. 

THEN I TIDY UP WHILE I AM DRINKING 

MY COFFEE. I LIKE TO CLEAN MY 

PALETTE EVERY TWO TO THREE DAYS. 

THE IDEA IS TO WARM UP BY DOING 

LITTLE JOBS AROUND THE PAINTINGS, 

SO I'M MORE FOCUSED AND CALM ONCE 

I START TO PAINT. 

IF YOU HAD TO PAINT ONE THING OVER 

AND OVER WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

A VIEW FROM A WINDOW WOULD BE A 

SUBJECT I COULD PAINT OVER AND 

OVER. DO I HAVE TO CHOOSE WHICH 

WINDOW? 

THE IDEA OF PAINTING THE SAME 

THING FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE 

SOUNDS STRESSFUL, BUT AT THE SAME 

TIME, WHEN I LOOK AT MY WORK I DO 

GET THE SENSE SOMETIMES THAT THERE 

IS A FEELING THAT KEEPS COMING 

BACK... 

DO YOU LIKE EXHIBITING YOUR WORK? 

WHAT DO YOU DO DURING THE 

OPENINGS? 

YES. I ALWAYS FEEL BLESSED TO SHOW 

MY WORK. 

AT THE SAME TIME, I FIND OPENINGS 

TO BE A VERY DIFFICULT EXERCISE. 

THEY'RE SO INTIMIDATING, THAT IT 

MAKES ME FEEL DIZZY. IF I WERE A 

BIT MORE COURAGEOUS. I PROBABLY 

WOULD NOT GO. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO 

THINK ABOUT A NEW PAINTING? 

I USED TO GO TO THE LIBRARY A LOT, 

ESPECIALLY THE ONE AT CENTRE 

POMPIDOU. BUT SINCE THE START OF 

THE PANDEMIC, I STOPPED. 

I LIKE TO COMPOSE PAINTINGS IN MY 

APARTMENT, TOO. IT’S QUIET AND I 

CAN WALK IN A TINY CIRCLE WHEN I 

DON’T KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE 

COMPOSITION MORE SATISFYING. 

WHAT IS YOUR RELATION TO PAST 

PAINTERS, AND THE HISTORY OF ART? 

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. THE 

HISTORY OF PAINTINGS IS A 

VOCABULARY OF FORMS THAT ARE 

ALWAYS LINKED TO A CONTEXT. 

THIS LONG HISTORY, BEING ABLE TO 

HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH THE PAST IS 

WHAT MAKES PAINTING SUCH A 

POWERFUL WAY TO EXPRESS HUMAN 

SENSIBILITY. 

WHICH QUESTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO 

ASK YOUR PAINTING IDOL? 

I WOULD LOVE TO MEET AN ARTIST 

LIKE BENVENUTO CELLINI, 

HIERONYMOUS BOSCH, MATTHIAS 

GRÜNEWALD, AND ALL THOSE HUGE 

MASTERS TO SEE IF THEY WERE KIND 

TO PEOPLE, OR AS DARK AS SOME 

HISTORIANS SAY. AND TO TALK ABOUT 

THEIR FAITH AND THE THEOLOGICAL 

CONTENT OF THEIR WORK. 

WITH MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY 

ARTISTS I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO 

MEET AND TALK ABOUT THE SUBJECTS 

THAT FASCINATE ME. 

BUT ULTIMATELY, I DON'T THINK IT'S 

IMPORTANT TO TALK TO AN ARTIST. 

THE MAIN RULE OF PAINTING IS TO 

MEET THE OBJECT, AND I HAVE TO SAY 

I APPRECIATE THIS CONSTRAINT. 

HOW DID YOU DEVELOP THE WORK 

YOU’RE DOING NOW? 

I AM WORKING ON SOME DIFFERENT 

SCULPTURE PROJECTS. TWO OF THEM 

ARE OLD IDEAS I HAD FIVE OR SIX 

YEARS AGO. I ALWAYS HAD SCULPTURE 

AS PART OF MY PRACTICE, BUT 

PAINTING IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME 

THAT IT TAKES ALL MY TIME. 

HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR FAVOURITE 

COLLECTOR? 

I DON’T KNOW THAT MANY COLLECTORS. 

THE COLLECTOR I KNOW WHO OWNS 

SEVERAL PIECES OF MY WORK WAS A 

FRIEND BEFORE COLLECTING MY WORK. 

171

WHY DO WE STILL PAINT IN 2022? 

WE STILL PAINT IN 2022 FOR THE SAME REASONS WE STILL 

WRITE AND READ BOOKS, COMPOSE AND PLAY MUSIC OR DANCE. 

CULTURE IS A NATURAL WAY OF BEING AS HUMANS. WE HAVE A 

VOCABULARY WE USE TO CONNECT WITH THE PAST AND WITH 

OTHERS. 

PAINTING REMAINS RELEVANT AMIDST ALL THE NEW WAYS TO 

PRODUCE IMAGES. AND IT IS NOT EXPENSIVE TO PRODUCE IN 

COMPARISON WITH MANY OTHER ARTS. BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO 

SEE THE WORK IN PERSON, WHICH CAN BE IN CONTRADICTION 

WITH THE IDEA OF DEMOCRACY. 

WHICH DIRECTION IS ART HEADING? 

I GUESS FIGURATION HAS A LOT OF ATTENTION NOW. SO, IT’S 

PROBABLY GOING TO BALANCE WITH A MORE MINIMALISTIC 

APPROACH SOONER OR LATER. I NOTICED THAT THE YOUNGER 

GENERATION SEEMS TO CREATE ART THAT CONNECTS WITH THE 

TECH WORLD. I MEAN, LESS ARTIFICIALLY THAN MY 

GENERATION. I GUESS SOME INTERESTING WORKS OF ART 

SHOULD APPEAR IN THAT DIRECTION TOO. 

CAN YOU TELL ME 3 COLLEAGUES WHOSE WORK YOU ADMIRE? 

(FACULTATIVE) 

NATHANAELLE HERBELIN, SIMON MARTIN AND APOLONIA SOKOL 

(3 AMONGST MANY!) 

172

galeriesultana.com/artists/jean-claracq 

instagram: @jeanclaracq 

Interview: @fleur_helluin 

173

174

175

P R O J E C T O F R E S I D E N T S O F T H E U K R A I N I A N 

C U L T U R A L C O M M U N I T Y B Y D E S I G N E R 

A L I N A C O M A A N D P H O T O G R A P H E R 

Y A R O S L A V R A S H E V S K Y I . 

Childhood 

The price of Russia’s war against Ukraine is 361 dead 

children and over 700 injured ones* - confirmed and 

documented cases only. Numbers are growing daily… 

176

«A scaled white children’s 

dress is a symbol of purity 

for me. The floral print is a 

symbol of joy and life. On 

the top of the flowers, I place 

guns-tools for killing children. 

The form characterizes the 

lightness and purity of 

children’s consciousness. The 

contrasting print speaks of 

a tragedy that could not be 

avoided.» - Alina Coma 

177

178

179

180

Designer is Alina Coma / @comaalina 

Photography by Yaroslav Rashevskyi @yaroslavrashevskyi 

Hairstylist is Anya Furiya / @ya_furiya 

Make-up by Alisa Fun / @alisafunnn 

Model is Jenny Gorbachenko / @zhenya_foxx 

Special thanks to Ukranian Cultural Community / @ucc_berlin 

181

Livyj 

Bereh 

182 

“We work together on 

rebuilding villages and 

repairing buildings 

destroyed by the war. “

Was there a specific incident that 

created the urge for you to help out 

by volunteering? 

Livyj Bereh: When the full-scale 

invasion began it was suddenly 

obvious that helping and defending 

became everybody’s business. 

If you could summarize Livyj bereh’s 

mission in a short sentence, what 

would it be? 

Livyj Bereh: Rebuilding and defence 

You’re travelling around the country 

quite a bit. What is the situation like 

in the different parts of Ukraine? 

Livyj Bereh: We started going to 

the de-occupied territories when 

the villages were newly liberated 

and the cleanses from the occupiers 

were still ongoing. The atmosphere 

was heavy. We went to many 

villages and cities in many regions. 

The scope of destruction was 

overwhelming. A lot of people lost 

their loved ones and their homes. 

But what was important and even 

more impressive than the scope 

of the destructions we saw, was 

the way those people were wired 

for victory, those people are 

unbreakable. 

Is there anything you’d like to say 

to the people in the West? 

Livyj Bereh: This is the war in the 

heart of Europe. Ukraine with all its 

people courageously took the hit 

upon itself, bravely showing to the 

whole world what the true values 

are. The West must understand that 

Ukraine is restraining an evident 

threat to the whole Europe, and 

they should help and support us 

more resolute. This war must end 

with the victory of Ukraine. We 

thank all the countries and all the 

people who help Ukraine. 

You can donate to Livyj Bereh here 

and keep up with their work via 

their Instagram channel at @livyj_ 

bereh 

All photos provided by Livyj Bereh! 

183

ANA 

BIf you’re into electronic music, you might have 

heard of DJ Ana B because of her Hör set. 

Not only was the set amazing, it also went 

viral because she burned a photo of Putin at 

the end of it. I caught up with Ana last month 

when she was in Berlin. 

We had a long conversation about the Vogue 

shoot everyone was talking about at the time, 

reclaiming her Ukrainian identity and why 

music has always been political. 

"Have you seen 

Emily In Paris, and 

how they portrayed 

an Ukrainian 

girl in it?" 

184

Nastia: I'm a huge advocate for 

being vocal and using any available 

channel to speak your truth and 

stand up for what’s right. I feel 

people these days are afraid of 

being vocal because of “cancel 

culture.” 

Everyone is scared to be judged, 

lose their followers or gigs, 

or simply even stand out with an 

unpopular idea – those ignorant 

social politics prevent people from 

speaking out. 

It's incredible how quickly the 

sides have shifted. What this war 

has shown is that some people on 

the left have come out to support 

Russia, which I didn’t think was 

going to happen. 

Nastia: It makes no sense. You 

cannot be left wing and not see the 

imperialistic attitude that Russia 

has had for hundreds of years, 

terrorizing other nations. This same 

kind of attitude was acknowledged 

and addressed everywhere in the 

West. But the world has never 

addressed it with Russia, which is 

shocking. 

From a Western point of view, I 

think we've all closed our eyes. 

Nastia: It is shocking to me that 

most Westerners ignore the terror 

and genocide of millions of people 

Russia has caused by colonising their 

neighbouring countries right in front 

of our eyes, and continues doing so 

to this day. Russia is doing exactly 

what France, Portugal, or Spain did 

hundreds of years ago. 

That has been addressed and stopped, 

yet the world chooses not to apply 

this same approach to Russia. Why? 

Everything at the moment seems very 

ideology and identity focused. I’d 

like to talk to you about Zelenska's 

Vogue photoshoot. There’s a massive 

debate at the moment whether the 

shoot is distasteful, 

or not. 

Nastia: Behind this photo shoot 

is a brilliant Ukrainian team. I 

personally know some of the people 

that worked on this shoot. I feel 

proud looking at these photos. 

It gives me the joy to see that 

this shoot was executed in such 

a meaningful way. As a Ukrainian 

woman, I feel seen, and I feel 

heard. And that’s really what the 

shoot was about. 

Photo by Stine Yoon 

@stine.yoon 

185

186

It is triggering to see people 

criticising something that brings 

joy to us Ukrainians. Especially 

right now. We never see a Ukrainian 

woman portrayed in such a beautiful 

and strong way on the cover of the 

western media, or any media at 

all. Then, we see all these Western 

intellectuals completely switching 

the focus. 

Those are the same people that didn’t 

express any kind of concern when the 

photos from Bucha came out. 

When we see Russian bloggers go to 

occupied territories, blogging and 

glamorising the horrific results of 

the full scale invasion of Ukraine – 

everyone seems to be okay with that. 

It makes no sense to me. 

Can you bring yourself to look at 

those photos or videos anymore? 

Nastia: We’d love to be able not to 

see these photos because they’re 

traumatising. They're horrifying to 

us. But, it's hard to close your eyes 

and ignore them when people live this 

nightmare in real life. Although, I 

watched a video this morning, and in 

hindsight, I wish I hadn’t seen it. 

Nastia Is Talking About The 

Video, Which Appeared On 

Pro-Russia Telegram Channels 

On The Day Of Our Interview, 

29Th Of July. 

The Video Appears To Show 

A Russian Soldier Castrating A 

Ukrainian Prisoner While Other 

Soldiers Are Abusing Him. Read 

The Guardian’s Report About 

The Video Here. Please Note, The 

Video Is Incredibly Graphic And 

Distressing. 

Guilt because you’re not in Ukraine? 

Nastia: Yes. Every morning, you wake 

up, have your coffee, and start 

feeling guilty that some people might 

not even be able to drink water this 

morning. You try to stay social and 

go to dinner with your friends. But 

there’s a constant feeling of guilt. 

Though, I also feel it's a healthy 

feeling. It is called compassion, and 

it is important to me to feel this 

way until this nightmare is over, and 

my people are safe. It also reminds 

me that our brave men and women fight 

for us to have these normal moments. 

And I am deeply grateful every time 

I think about them. I hope that makes 

them stronger too. 

What was your personal view on the 

military before the invasion? 

Nastia: I think for many young 

Ukrainians, the military was just 

something that we would associate 

with Russia and its gross war cult, 

which many of us didn’t like and 

chose not to support. But then the 

war started. Many people joined the 

military to defend our country. And 

that's when it clicked. These are 

people just like me who chose to risk 

their lives to protect their homes 

and families. 

What do you do when a murderer comes 

to your home and tries to hurt you or 

your family? Any person would stand 

up and try to defend their home and 

protect their loved ones. I respect 

and support them for that. 

That’s true. So, you don’t currently 

live in Ukraine, but in the US. When 

and why did you decide to move there? 

Nastia: I moved to the US ten 

years ago, when things were getting 

more intense with Russia’s ongoing 

aggression. 

I was studying journalism because 

I was passionate about politics 

in Ukraine but after finishing 

university, I felt there was no 

future for me. When this war ends, 

I would love to spend more time back 

home with my family. 

Nastia: It's terrifying, specifically 

when your family, friends, and loved 

ones are there right now. This could 

happen to anyone, including me. 

Seeing those pictures and videos is 

the most horrifying thing I’ve ever 

experienced. That’s all I can say. 

But you can’t turn your head around 

and ignore what’s happening. There’s 

a sense of guilt. And this feeling is 

even worse. 

And what was the response ten years 

ago in the US when you talked about 

your passions and your country? 

Nastia: Until now, people didn't 

even know where Ukraine is or would 

confuse it with other countries. They 

didn't even know that we have our 

own language – a result of Russian 

propaganda and oppression. 

187

At some point, it wasn't 

intellectually stimulating for me 

to talk about these things with 

Americans because they wouldn't get 

it. I lost that connection for a 

second. And then 2014 happened. The 

revolution was a painful time for me. 

It was hard to be away and see what 

was going on back home. I have been 

trying to keep up with politics since 

then. 

But even then, I wasn't interested 

in talking about these things with 

my friends. Now I feel like I have 

no other choice. That makes some 

friendships and relationships a 

little uncomfortable sometimes. 

I think you’re most definitely not 

alone with this feeling of not being 

able to talk or think about anything 

else. I’m curious, how have you been 

treated as an Eastern European in the 

US? 

Nastia: Meh… Have you seen Emily 

In Paris, and how they portrayed a 

Ukrainian girl in it? 

My actual name is Nastia. That's what 

my parents and friends call me back 

home. Then I moved to New York, and 

for someone who, at the time, didn’t 

speak English well and felt insecure 

about engaging with people, it was 

easier to introduce myself as Ana. 

I didn't have to explain anything. 

My DJ name is still Ana B. But now, 

with everything going on, I think 

to myself, no, my name is Nastia. 

If that’s too hard for people to 

remember, they’re going to have to 

learn it. 

It's a sense of reclaiming your 

identity. I want to talk about your 

DJ career. You’ve posted a story 

where you said you’ve received a lot 

of criticism from people saying that 

music shouldn’t be political. 

Nastia: Anyone who knows the basics 

of music history should know that 

music has always been political and 

will always be political. Specifically 

Techno. If you open any sort of 

Techno history book or even just the 

Wikipedia page, you'll see it all 

started with being political. Look 

at what was happening in Detroit, 

Chicago, and even Berlin. Those 

are all facts. I think people just 

choose to ignore it, because it all 

comes down to having uncomfortable 

conversations with people in the 

industry. 

People don't want to burn bridges. I 

knew that by choosing to speak up, I 

would probably lose a few professional 

connections. 

You see how divided the music scene is 

right now. The more you speak out, the 

more you get people annoyed. And they 

obviously don't want to book you or work 

with you. It's easier to be quiet. 

I believe silence is violence. When 

someone comes to my home and hurts my 

friends, my family, and terrorizes my 

people, or anyone really, I will be 

vocal. The Russians that came to Bucha, 

Irpin, Mariupol, and other Ukrainian 

cities are scary people. They are 

violent murderers, rapists, and looters. 

There is official evidence of thousands 

of war crimes committed by Russians in 

Ukraine already. 

I get a lot of messages saying it’s not 

all Russians, and I know that; I’m not 

saying all Russians are like that. But 

there has to be some kind of collective 

responsibility for all the atrocities 

they’ve been doing in occupied 

territories. There's clear collective 

guilt, response and responsibility, and 

Russians are not doing much about it. 

And that is inhumane. 

I grew up in Ukraine, and our friends 

from Russia used to come to Kyiv every 

summer. It was a tight community of art, 

fashion, and music. We’d all hang out 

together. We all grew up together. We 

went to Moscow, they came to Kyiv. Not 

a single person has reached out to me 

since the war started, not a single one. 

You wouldn’t go to jail for that, would 

you? 

I’ve heard the same thing from 

quite a lot of people already, it’s 

unbelievable. I want to thank you 

so much for taking the time to speak 

to us, Nastia, I really enjoyed our 

interview. 

If you want to keep up with 

Nastia, you can follow her 

on Instagram at 

@therealanabobrovska. 

Berlin photos and interview 

by Johanna Urbancik, all 

other photos provided by 

Nastia. 

188

"Every morning, you wake up, 

have your coffee, 

and start feeling guilty 

that some people 

might not even be able 

to drink water this morning." 

189

Sanctity 

190of life 

Photography by @valeriiarii - Model: @poliesha 

Styling: @ali.zilanova - MUA: @svitlana_kmet 

Clothes: @galushko_nst @galushko_brand

Nowadays, the cruelty is becoming inevitably evident for the 

humanity residing in the reality where violence is considered 

to be commonness of the daily life. The outset of the new 

world, the military culture, gave us impetus to reappraisal 

as well as formation if the righteous resistance to sexual 

harassment. In bygone days the femininity played essential 

part and ever since it has been considered as an indispensable 

attribute as well as a kind of amulet recalling past. The identity 

of the former centuries is a time-tested thing carrying equally 

important unique aura, raise of awareness and embeddedness 

of meaningfulness. The amalgamation of revived oppression 

tools, sexual exploitation of the bygone days, inclusiveness, 

naturalness, customs and a second life displays the true 

concept of the ‘Sanctity of life’ collection. For this sound 

reason the following collection is a steady appeal to the past, 

the merging of the natural and reconsideration of the future. 

The philosophy embedded in ‘Sanctity of life’ is the absence 

of a border line between the past and the present owning to 

silence, social alienation along with imminent revenge. 

191







GENESIS COLLECTION 

Zhilyova 

From the ashes of the old world — rises a new one 

Genesis is a new campaign from the Ukrainian designer Valeria Zhilyova. The designer meant for the 

shooting to symbolize strong ties between generations and the search for one’s tribe on the way to a 

bright future. It turned into a prophecy shedding light on the spirit of the Ukrainian people, showing 

their power in times of the full-scale invasion of their territory. 

Shot just before the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine —Genesis gives us a glimpse into a better 

tomorrow. A life-affirming idea put into the new campaign by Zhilyova delves into the concept of the 

“tribe” — finding those people with whom you can build a future, develop and grow. 

200

201

202

203

Valeria Zhilyova says “Genesis is our loud 

manifesto that shows we are ready to 

overcome anything on our path, becoming 

stronger and wiser with every step. 

When we were working on the idea of the 

campaign with Natalia Ivanova, we wanted 

to create a vision of learning how to work 

and live together for a better tomorrow. 

In the midst of an outrageous invasion 

of Russia into Ukraine — this message 

appears to have a much more symbolic 

meaning”. 

The Genesis campaign takes us to a 

surreal world where a beautiful woman 

is shown carefully exploring unfamiliar 

circumstances. She comes with a weapon, 

but feeling no danger — lowers it. She is 

drawn to join the beautiful creatures as 

they dance with the skull that represents 

the burden of the past, the monster — 

different for all of us — that we have to 

defeat. 

The scenery changes — now everything is 

different, we can see the new garments, 

and feel the spirit of freedom. We see a 

portal to the new world, and the girls are 

inviting the viewer to join. Will we? 

The idea Valeria put into the campaign is 

simple but powerful. It’s important to find 

your people to overstep the “skull of a 

monster” — anything that’s bringing you 

down, and move further. 

Valeria Zhilyova: 

“Now more than ever I believe in the idea 

I’ve put into the collection. Our nation is 

faced with a horrible challenge. But I’m 

deeply convinced that we will win as we 

know what we’re fighting for. 

My native city is Mariupol — which has been 

under siege for the 4 months of the war. I 

had to watch it being destroyed building by 

building — with weapons literally turning 

all the places of my childhood memories 

into dust, and my whole family staying 

there — with no water, no heat, and no 

connection to at least send a message 

they’re still alive. 

204

It was a miracle that they managed to get out 

alive: under constant shelling and bombing, 

from the true hell on Earth. Now Mariupol 

is almost completely burned down and stays 

under occupation. 

But our spirit is strong, and this war showed 

us that our tribe is made of 40 million 

Ukrainians and people all around the world 

who support us. We must make conclusions, 

move forward, and grow. After all, light 

always defeats darkness. As sure as Ukraine 

will win as well.” 

Zhilyova is a lingerie brand founded by 

Valeria Zhilyova in 2014. For its products, 

the brand uses exclusively high-quality 

European materials, following a conscious 

approach in everything: production, 

working conditions, and choice of fabrics. 

Zhilyova stands for diversity, self-love, 

women's empowerment, innovation, future, 

and technology. In particular, the brand 

became the first in its industry to release an 

AR version of the site for the convenience of 

customers. The brand is fascinated by the 

beauty of the body and its main mission is 

to promote diversity by helping people love 

and accept themselves. 

Zhilyova collections are distinguished by 

a wide selection: from comfortable and 

sexy bases to slip dresses and accessories. 

Zhilyova is worn by Tina Kunakey, 

ROSALIA, Kourtney Kardashian, Grimes, 

and many other celebrities. influencers and 

editors of top-media. 

Follow via @zhilyova_lingerie 

www.zhilyova.com 

205

206

207

208

209

210

211

DIRECTORS DUO - Valeriia Zhilyova @zhilyova 

& Natasha Ivanova @nataliaivanovaaaa 

DOP - Ruslan Mingazirov - @mingazirov_ruslan 

Editor - Natasha Ivanova - @nataliaivanovaaaa 

Gaffer - Oleg Filatov - @play_like_a_child 

Colorist - Olha Kriukova - @rainbowfoxcolor 

Production Designer - Maria Chupaylenko 

@maria_chupaylenko 

Starring: 

Zhenya Fox - @zhenya_foxx 

Tatiana Kriklenko - @tanni_no 

Anna Dubowick - @annadubowic 

Sofiia Makabula - @makabulas 

Luiza Bunchik - @b.luizaprincess 

Maryna Pylypenko - @pylypenkomaryna 

Beauty Department: 

Key Hair stylist - Anastasiia Gryniuka 

@anastasiiagryniuka 

Key MUAH - Sova Maria - @maria_sovaa 

MUAH - Anhelina Borodina - @anga.vanga 

HAIR - Maria Kozachenko - @maria_hairwork 

Camera department: 

Focuspuller - Marko Trotsenko 

@marko_trotsenko_ 

1 AC - Zakrevskyi Serhii - @wake_up_men 

Crane operation - Sasha Roshchyn - @sashcko 

Mechanic - Evgene Shestuk 

Mechanic - Roman Corolchuk 

Light department: 

Key Grip - Nikita Stolbov 

Chief electrician - Moiseienko Serhii 

Electrician - Kazakov Ilya 

Electrician - Dordol Andrian 

Electrician - Lukhta Mykhailo 

Electrician - Kretov Petro 

212

213

SPECIAL REPORT 

A child’s perspective on the war 

BEHIND 

BLUE EYES 

A photography project, created by children from de-occupied 

Ukrainian regions 

214

"I believe this material is such a necessity right now. 

Physically, we collect a unique body of work - a look 

on the war and its aftermath through the eyes of the 

future. Spiritually, we get a chance to raise important 

inner statements: about ourselves, about childhood, 

about the connection between those two, about war 

and death, about life and 

future. It is a personal reflection for everyone, that 

happens thanks to these kids." 

Kyiv-based gallery Avangarden has opened a 

charitable photo project Behind Blue Eyes, which 

presents photography works created by children 

from de-occupied Ukrainian regions. 

The idea was developed by a team of volunteers 

taking care of liberated areas in Chernihiv region, 

Ukraine, that have been under occupation. Local 

kids became true friends for the volunteers during 

their numerous trips to the Lukashivka village. 

Despite being exposed to the horrors of war, these 

children still are able to radiatel light that adults 

need in these hard times. It led to a vision of how 

this healing feeling could be shared further. That 

is how the idea of Behind Blue Eyes emerged: the 

children were given a bag of disposable cameras 

and a week to capture whatever they were up to. 

Creativity is a powerful tool for achieving one's 

dreams and goals, which can not be taken away 

from kids by this awful war. Thus the cameras 

were returned along with brief wishlists from each 

kiddo photographer. The charitable aspect of the 

project assumes that the society pays back for their 

important work with the fulfilled wishlists. These lists 

are posted regularly at Behind Blue Eyes IG page. 

The donation could be made either in cash or with 

physical items (or, at times, even pets) from the list. 

The team foresees projects development in 

continuing this work with children in each and every 

affected region of Ukraine. Therefore, a coherent 

and complex footprint of the war in Ukraine can be 

created, given the angle the world has probably 

never experienced before. 

www.instagram.com/theblueyedproject 

heylink.me/theblueyedproject 

215

Andriy, 12 y.o 

Artem, 7 y.o 

Bohdan, 13 y.o 

216

Diana, 12 y.o 

Masha, 10 y.o 

Sasha, 11 y.o 

217

Tanya, 15 y.o 

Valya, 10 y.o 

218 

Nastia, 13 y.o

219

220they.

221

"I want to introduce my new collection, 

THEY. The conceptual idea of this project 

is to create a QUEER ROYALTY. A world 

in which your race, gender, morphology or 

gender expression does not matter to shine 

and be the star. 

It is intended to form diverse referents of 

those that some of us never had. The 

representation that we don't have growing 

up. Aesthetically the inspiration is the 

Victorian Era and the 80s. All of this is 

reflected with an explosion of textures, 

colours and silhouettes evoking a bygone 

era but current at the same time." 

* Jean Ayala. Stylist and fashion designer 

222

223

224

225

226

227

228

they. 

Art director /designer and stylist: Jean Ayala @_jeansebastian_ 

Attendee Art Direction: Àlex Vázquez Eguaras @avazqueg 

Photography/Edition: Arancha Cassani @aranchacassani 

MUA : Ru Montilla @rucafort 

MUA : Júlia Porto @byjupovi 

Hair design : Maria Baten @aguanievess 

Models: Alicia Díaz Miller @alicewonderbear 

Ashley Natasha Rosado Matos @ashley.rosadom 

Victoria Banks @lavictoriabanks 

Miki Mint @mikimintt 

Noelia Pereiro Moreno @noa.floret 

Ona pérez cros @onacros 

Jayce Gorgeous Gucci @jayyysees 

Yandra de la Mano @opyandra 

Alba Bailón / Arcade @albailongo 

229

230

Subscription 

to freedom 

and democracy 

UNITED24 is a global initiative 

launched by the President of Ukraine, 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to unite people 

all over the world in their will to 

support Ukraine. The initiative’s name 

reflects Ukraine’s 24 regions, as 

well as the President’s aim of fully 

restoring the country’s territorial 

integrity. 

Marking the Independence Day of 

Ukraine, the platform launched a call 

to find 24 000 donors of Ukraine. This 

is a worldwide call to find freedom 

supporters who will subscribe for a 

symbolic $24 monthly donation, which 

can be done with one click on the 

platform's website. Donors will help 

the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to 

plan purchases to support the work of 

Ukrainian doctors. Help can be as easy 

as making a subscription. 

UNITED24 has celebrated 4 months 

of existence reaching $180,000,000 

in donations for Ukraine (over 6, 5 

billion UAH) from 110 countries sent 

to the official accounts of the National 

Bank of Ukraine. 

Additionally, Demna Gvasalia, 

Imagine Dragons, Andriy Shevchenko, 

Elina Svitolina, Liev Schrieber became 

the very first ambassadors of 

UNITED24. Billie Eilish has recently 

spoken in support of UNITED24. 

The platform constantly comes up 

with new ways to engage people: 

a limited capsule of speakers 

from Bang&Olufsen, special T-shirt 

from Balenciaga, Imagine Dragons 

auctioning off their guitar — and many 

others. 

231

By Dmytro Komissarenko 

@dmytrokomissarenko 

Giclée prints 

WELCOME 

TO MY HOME 

232

Yarik Yanchuk 

@yanchuk_yarik 

233

Maria Shevchenko 

@maria_shevchenkko 

234

235

236 

Evgeniy Yovenko 

@lakaniy_

237

238

Ostrovskyi 

@therealostrovskyi 

239

240

Dima Luch 

@dima7y4 

241

242 

https://guniaproject.com/

https://guniaproject.com/ 

243

Artwork by Tyhran Sohoian @Tyhransart

Issue 19 - Fighters

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?