LANDING: Youth culture in Ukraine’s frontline communities

On behalf of European Endowment for Democracy (EED), Street Cultures Development Center and Some People, we are pleased to invite you to the upcoming event "LANDING: Documentary screening, exhibition, and discussion on youth, culture, and democracy in Ukraine's frontline communities", taking place on 27 October 2026 in Brussels, 17:30-21:30 CET in the cultural centre Beursschouwburg.

Representatives of Street Cultures Development Center and Some People will explore how youth culture and creative expression can sustain hope, strengthen communities and help young people living in frontline cities continue to shape the future of their cities at a time of war. The programme will feature a screening of the documentary "Landing", a photography exhibition, an expert discussion and an informal networking jam.

Okhtyrka, in Ukraine’s Sumy region, lies close to the active frontline. Amid continued Russian bombardment, Street Cultures Development Center creates spaces where young people can skate, make art, meet and feel part of something. Founded in 2021, it has become an important social anchor, offering young people a sense of belonging and opportunities to take an active role in their city.

This experience is captured in Landing. Its title evokes the moment after a skateboard trick when the skater must regain balance and keep moving — a metaphor for finding stability while everything is still shaking.

In Kharkiv, Some People has spent more than eight years connecting artists, cultural practitioners, creative entrepreneurs and communities. Today, it is developing a Centre of New Culture, creating a space for collaboration, experimentation and exchange, and strengthening the relationships and creative energy needed for the city’s future.

What to expect?

Screening of “Landing” documentary (In Ukrainian, with English subtitles)

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Created by the Okhtyrka Street Cultures Development Center, "Landing" explores survival, psychological grounding and community rebuilding through the lens of street culture.

It shows how ordinary acts - skating, building a ramp together or sharing music with friends - can restore a sense of belonging in a city affected both physically and emotionally by war.

Read more about the film.

Panel Discussion

Duration: 45 minutes

Representatives of the Street Cultures Development Center, Some People, and European Commission will discuss the role of youth street culture and the creative industries in engaging young people in community life, supporting recovery and contributing to pro-democratic change. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A.

Speakers:

• Pavlo Ihnatchenko, Founder of the NGO “Street Cultures Development Center”, Okhtyrka
• Anton Nazarko, Co-Founder of Some People, Kharkiv
• Monica Urian, Policy officer, European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport

Moderator:

• Veronika Kucherchuk, Deputy Programme Manager, European Endowment for Democracy

Photography Exhibition

Black-and-white film photographs taken by young people in Okhtyrka between 2023 and 2025 capture destruction and the everyday anxiety of frontline life will also be exhibited during the event. They show the city as its young residents see it—not through the lens of the media or official reporting.

Children and teenagers will transform photographs using vivid paints, markers, and graffiti elements. The result is a youth manifesto of hope: adding colour and life where Russia tried to leave only ruins.

Programme:

17:30-18:00 Welcome and registrations

18:00 – 19:15 Screening of "Landing”

19:15 - 20:00 Panel Discussion and audience Q&A

20:00 Informal Networking Jam

Languages: Ukrainian and English (Ukrainian-English consecutive interpretation will be available during the discussion)

Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact communications@democracyendowment.eu.

We look forward to welcoming you on 27 October.