Opening of the “Chervona Ruta” Festival at ZENYK ART GALLERY
From September 17 to 21, Lviv is hosting the legendary “Chervona Ruta” festival for the first time — a symbol of cultural resistance and the revival of Ukrainian identity. The first day of the festival kicked off within the walls of Zenyk Art Gallery.
Historical Context
In September 1989, the first “Chervona Ruta” festival was held in Chernivtsi. It was the first time Ukrainian song resounded so loudly on a big stage — under the watchful eye of the Soviet police and KGB. It was a cultural breakthrough that preceded Ukraine’s political independence. The festival brought underground Ukrainian protest songs and contemporary genres — especially rock, which was in itself considered a challenge to the imperial system — into the public space.
Today, as Ukraine enters its fourth year of defending its right to exist on the world map, “Chervona Ruta” takes on new meaning.
Opening at ZAG
For the first time in its history, the festival opens in Lviv. Zenyk Art Gallery has the honor of hosting the opening of this event, which unites music, art, and cultural diplomacy. For the gallery — whose mission is to promote Ukrainian culture and art to the world — this is a special moment, as “Chervona Ruta” begins a new chapter right here.
To mark the festival’s opening, Zenyk Art Gallery hosted a conference titled:
“Culture, Recovery, and Solidarity: How Art, Music, and International Partnership Heal and Rebuild Ukraine.”
The discussion brought together cultural figures, veterans and servicemen, psychologists, rehabilitation centers, and international partners from the UK and Poland.
Topics included:
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the role of culture and art in the emotional recovery of youth and veterans,
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effective models of international support through art,
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new platforms for cultural cooperation,
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resilience and solidarity as the foundation for rebuilding Ukraine.
The strategic partner of the event is the Resistance Movement of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This collaboration underscores the fact that during wartime, culture becomes not only a space for creativity but also a spiritual stronghold that mobilizes society.
Among the speakers:
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Maksym Kozytskyi (Head of Lviv Regional Administration),
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Myroslav Melnyk (Executive Director of the Festival),
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Serhii Tytarenko (veteran, clinical psychologist, Head of the Lviv Habilitation Center),
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Oksana Baranowski (CEO of Chervona Ruta UK Foundation),
and others.
Zenyk Art Gallery proudly hosts the first day of the festival in Lviv — preserving its legacy and creating new meaning for the future.