From June 12 through July 31, join us every Thursday for a series of intimate talks and conversations. We’ll explore Ukraine through the lenses of memory, music, identity and geopolitics.
These Thursday evenings invite reflection, dialogue and connection—over a glass of wine and with an open mind, in the cozy Berlin-Wedding neighborhood.
Our guests—scholars, intellectuals, musicians and authors—will speak on what shapes Ukraine today and how it’s transforming Europe.
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Start: 6:30 PM
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Location: Berlin, Wedding
(Exact address provided after registration; see link below.) -
Admission: Donation from €7 (includes one glass of wine)
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Seats are limited—registration required
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Languages: German and English
Program:
June 12 | 6:30 PM
Prof. Dr. Yulia Shtaltovna
Professor of International and Intercultural Management, Dean of Studies (IBM program), Hochschule Fresenius, Berlin
What the World Can Learn from Ukraine
Drawing on her recent co-authored article (with Valerii Pekar) in New Eastern Europe, Prof. Shtaltovna reflects on how Ukrainian society has demonstrated remarkable resilience, self-organization and adaptability in the face of full-scale war—qualities from which the rest of the world can take valuable lessons. She’ll show how Ukrainians turn crises into opportunities for unity, growth and civic strength, and how those strategies might inspire other societies during times of upheaval.
Language of the evening: English
June 26 | 6:30 PM
Nikolai Klimeniouk
Journalist
Beyond Propaganda: How Russian Influencers and Regime Critics Play into the Kremlin’s Hands
While russian state propaganda—and its allies in Western politics and media—claim that Russia’s war on Ukraine is primarily the West’s fault and portray Russia as security-minded and peace-seeking, even regime critics often reinforce the Kremlin narrative by depicting it as all-powerful, stable yet unpredictable and uncompromising. Klimeniouk will examine why the notion of Putin’s regime as driven above all by power retention and profit (rather than mass popular support) serves to steer discussions toward negotiations and compromise.
Language of the evening: English
July 3 | 6:30 PM
Prof. Andrii Portnov
Professor of Entangled Ukrainian History, European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder)
Germany and Ukraine—Is There a Path to Deeper Understanding and Genuine Partnership?
Historian and public intellectual Prof. Portnov explores the complex relations between Ukraine and Germany—past and present. Why do persistent misunderstandings endure despite shared interests? What historical and political blind spots obstruct an equal and open dialogue? And what steps are needed, amid war, European integration and memory politics, to build a true partnership? He’ll draw on a decade of academic and civil-society collaboration between the two countries.
Language of the evening: English
July 10 | 6:30 PM
Yuriy Gurzhy
Musician, Composer, DJ and Author
An Aquarium Full of Keys: Kharkiv and the Pictures of My Father
This fall 2025 sees the publication (Edition Fröhlich) of Gurzhy’s second book, An Aquarium Full of Keys. Kharkiv and the Pictures of My Father—a collection of short stories about his recent journeys home, accompanied by photographs from his father Alexander Gurzhy’s archive. Tonight he’ll read selections from the work in progress, display chosen images, and perhaps even add musical interludes.
Language of the evening: German
July 17 | 6:30 PM
Dr. Stefanie Eisenhuth
Postdoctoral Researcher and Adjunct Professor, University of Greifswald; Gerda Henkel Foundation Research Fellow
Germany’s “Coming to Terms” with the Past: Myths, Challenges and Political Impact
Dr. Eisenhuth will guide us through Germany’s complex process of Vergangenheitsbewältigung—the confrontation with its National Socialist past—in East and West Germany after 1945. After an introductory overview of how each state faced (or evaded) this history, she’ll focus on the blind spots in German memory culture: why and how the experiences of Eastern and Central Europe were marginalized. In the context of Russia’s war on Ukraine, we’ll discuss how these gaps shape public attitudes and political responses to current aggression.
Language of the evening: English
July 24
Ostap Sereda
(confirmation pending)
July 31
Viktoria Sereda
(confirmation pending)
Yes, the demonstration is taking place for the third time, as Anna Netrebko has once again been invited to perform at the Berlin State Opera. This time, we have decided to do it differently — to clearly show what the “russkiy Mir” ideology supported by Mrs. Netrebko truly means.
For reasons unknown, Berlin State Opera is giving the stage — for the third time — to a public supporter of Vladimir Putin.
We cannot accept that Anna Netrebko, who in 2014 supported the russian occupation of Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and who has yet to acknowledge her mistakes, is allowed to perform as if nothing happened.
Netrebko is a prime example of russia’s soft power: using culture to spread propaganda and disinformation under the guise of “high culture.” She has not clearly distanced herself from her long-standing support for Putin.
By publicly endorsing him, she helped legitimize the occupation of Ukrainian territories since 2014 and contributed to the escalation that led to the full-scale invasion. In her so-called “anti-war” statement, she didn’t even name russia as the aggressor — instead, she reaffirmed her emotional bond with the country.
On May 15, we will show what this kind of “love” means in practice. russia’s “love” is felt through double missile strikes aimed at killing first responders. That’s exactly what happened to the small Ukrainian ambulance called Barwinka, from Derhachi in the Kharkiv region. On March 12, 2022, it was hit while responding to an emergency.
Together with Fellas4Europe, we are bringing Barwinka to Berlin for the protest at 18:30 on May 15.
👉 15. Mai, 18:30 Uhr
📍Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin
Join us — with your voices and your posters — to clearly show the consequences of normalizing russian propaganda on Berlin’s cultural stages.
If opera visitors choose to look away from russian war crimes, we will make sure those crimes are brought to their doorstep.
During WWII, over 10 million people from Ukraine died — as civilians under Nazi terror, as victims of Communist repressions, as Red Army soldiers, as forced laborers in Nazi Germany or representatives of the Jewish or Roma communities. The territory of Ukraine was place to one of the heaviest human losses in Europe — yet in Germany’s culture of remembrance, their scale and stories remain invisible.
The Soviet narrative erased Ukraine
The Soviet memory of victory never recognized Ukraine’s distinct suffering. All victims were counted as Soviet citizens, erasing national identities. This eradicated individual fates and their memory — the Soviet state celebrated heroism, but the suffering of millions stayed aside..
Germany inherits a russocentric view
In post-war Germany the new communist leaders in the Soviet occupation zone built grand monuments to pay tribute to the Red Army’s triumph. But these memorials treat the Soviet Union as one single people — many Germans perceived and still see them as russians. There is still no monument or dedicated sign for Ukrainians. No mention of Ukrainian or losses of other nations that constituted the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics.
The silence in the West
In West Germany, memory centered around German occupation of Western Europe and the crimes of the Shoah — while the experiences of the war of annihilation in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, remained largely invisible and ignored behind the iron curtain.
Why this matters
Today, myths from WWII are still alive. Russia uses them to justify new wars — including the invasion of Ukraine. Without recognition of Ukraine’s and many other nations’ WWII experiences and suffering, Soviet imperial narratives continue to shape the present.
Large parts of Ukraine’s cultural, economic and demographic basis were destroyed. These consequences and the subsequent Soviet policies of russification can still be observed today.
History is used as a weapon.
By denying Ukraine’s suffering in WWII, the today’s aggressor seeks to deny Ukraine’s right to exist. A modern memory culture must confront this — not repeat old silences.
That’s why we are launching a campaign: “Ukraine in Memory.”
Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing forgotten stories, organizing public lectures, and holding a commemorative march in Berlin.
Our goal: to make Ukraine’s wartime experience visible.
We call for a Ukrainian place of remembrance in Berlin: to honor the dead, to tell stories and give a bigger picture, to prevent memory from being misused.
Every year at Easter, the so-called “Ostermarsch” marches — originally born in the 1960s from anti-nuclear and anti-war ideals — return to the streets.
But since 2014, and especially since russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, these marches have changed. Many of them have become platforms for narratives that benefit the aggressor — not the victims.
This year, over 90 Easter marches are planned across Germany. Their message no longer speaks of global justice. Instead, they echo Kremlin propaganda and call for disarmament — not of the aggressor, but of the defenders.
Their central demand is to stop strengthening Europe’s ability to defend itself.
“Disarmament instead of defense” — that’s the message we find in many of the organizers’ statements, if we read them with awareness of the global situation. The logic is simple: where there are no weapons, there is peace. But in a world where dictatorships attack democracies, that logic kills.
Disarmament might make sense if you are the aggressor and want to secure a new status-quo – for the victim, it’s a death sentence. For Ukraine, it means genocide and destruction. For Europe, it means helplessness in the face of future russian aggression.
And this is happening at the worst possible moment:
🇺🇸 The U.S. is wavering in its support.
🤝 russia is holding direct negotiations with Washington that bypass Europe and apparently serve only Kremlin interests.
🕊️ “Peace at any price” is becoming a dominant narrative — even if the price is Ukrainian lives, occupied cities, and a defenseless Europe. But in the end, there will still be no peace.
While russians systematically violate international conventions by killing civilians and prisoners of war, showing no intention of ending their aggression, calls for “peace” ultimately serve the Kremlin’s interests. A ceasefire forced upon Ukraine by the US and fueled by russian narratives would freeze occupation, reward war crimes, and invite further invasions.
The very idea of peace has been weaponized. And parts of the German peace movement are helping to spread it.
That’s why we fight back.
At Vitsche, we are launching a campaign for a real and just peace — against the false prophets of surrender. Because wars are fought not only on the battlefield, but in people’s minds.
If we surrender truth, we surrender everything.
We will organize a performative counter-action during the Berlin Ostermarsch, and create powerful, shareable visual content that shows what peace truly means: justice and security in freedom.
We all want peace. But if it isn’t just, it isn’t peace at all.
What we need:
Your financial support.
We are a volunteer-led civil society organization, working with project-based funding. Unlike propaganda networks, we don’t have big donors — we rely on you — people who know that real peace is more than the absence of war.
👉 Every euro helps us fight disinformation, support Ukraine, and counter the wave of pseudo-pacifist propaganda.
📍 Donate. Share. Act.
https://vitsche.org/donate/
Café Kyiv is more than just an event – it is a space for dialogue, inspiration, and solidarity. Through discussions, panels, and cultural encounters, it connects people from Ukraine, Germany, and beyond who are committed to a shared free future for Ukraine and Europe.This year, the Vitsche team organized three panel discussions on disinformation and decolonization with incredible speakers, as well as the premiere of the film Zinema by director Korniy Hrytsiuk.The discussion “Weapons of Slow Destruction: Russian State Propaganda” and the premiere of the documentary Zinema were made in cooperation with the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung. The discussion “Decolonizing the Discourse on Europe’s East” was made in cooperation with the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung.We thank the Café Kyiv team and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung for the opportunity to be a partner in this incredible event.See you next year!
For Ukraine. For our freedom. For a strong Europe.
On March 9, 2025, Vitsche e.V. and Campact e.V. are calling for a mass demonstration at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. As the U.S. turns away from Ukraine, it is up to Europe to take responsibility. Ukraine is defending not only its own freedom but also the security and democratic values of Europe.
Recent statements from the White House mark a dramatic shift: instead of supporting Ukraine, the U.S. government is spreading Russian propaganda and undermining the sovereignty of a country that has been defending itself against Russian imperialism for three years. These developments directly affect Europe – if Ukraine falls, Europe will become unsafe and face further aggression. And without Europe’s support, the Ukrainian population faces continued terror, oppression, and even mass murder.
That’s why we are calling for a strong European response:
🔹 Unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty
Ukraine must be recognized as an equal partner on the international stage. Weakening its position also jeopardizes Europe’s stability and security.
🔹 Increased military and humanitarian aid – including long-range systems like Taurus
Ukraine needs modern defense systems, financial assistance, and continuous humanitarian support for those affected by the war. Europe must deliver – quickly, comprehensively, and sustainably.
🔹 Use of frozen Russian assets
Around €250–300 billion of frozen Russian assets in Europe must finally be used to finance Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction – as a clear act of European responsibility.
🔹 Protect European security and democracy
The alliance of autocrats is growing. Europe must act in unity – against the destruction of democratic structures, against far-right and pro-Russian parties, and in favor of a common security and defense policy.
🔹 Invest in an independent, sustainable future
Russia’s war shows us: dependence on autocrats costs prosperity and threatens freedom. Europe’s response must focus on renewable energy, fair industry, and socially just mobility – financed through reforms and the abolition of the debt brake.
On March 9, we take to the streets.
For Ukraine. For democracy. For Europe’s future.
👉 Join the demonstration at the Brandenburg Gate.
👉 Take a stand and call on the Bundestag to act with us.
Join us on March 11 for a dedicated program by Vitsche focusing on russian state propaganda, disinformation, and decolonial perspectives on Eastern Europe. Throughout the day, we will explore how narratives are shaped, manipulated, and resisted — through panel discussions, expert talks, and a documentary premiere.
Weapons of Slow Destruction: Russian State Propaganda
(In cooperation with Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung)
Time: 15:30–16:30
Location: CINEMA 10
This panel focuses on the mechanisms of russian state propaganda and its global impact. Historians, journalists, and activists will discuss how disinformation is used as a weapon of slow destruction, eroding truth, justice, and democracy worldwide.
Speakers:
- Dr. Franziska Davies, historian of East (Central) Europe
- Alexej Hock, investigative journalist, CORRECTIV
- Pekka Kallioniemi, Finnish counter-disinformation expert, creator of Vatnik Soup.
Moderator: Eva Yakubovska (Vitsche)
Decolonizing the Discourse on Europe’s East (In cooperation with Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung)
Time: 11:00–12:00
Location: CINEMA 10
The idea of the russian empire remains largely unchallenged and continues to shape the region. russia’s invasion of Ukraine demonstrates the persistence of imperial ambitions and their devastating consequences. Speakers will address why mainstream narratives often fail to recognize Ukraine’s fight for freedom as anti-colonial and discuss the importance of applying decolonial perspectives to Eastern Europe.
Speakers:
- Kateryna Botanova, cultural critic, curator, and writer (Basel/Kyiv)
- Katrin Göring-Eckardt, Member of the Bundestag, Vice President of the Bundestag (Alliance 90/The Greens)
- Valentyna Sotnykova, Co-host of the “Decolonizers” podcast
Moderator: Kateryna Kvashnytska (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung)
Premiere of Documentary “Zinema”
(In cooperation with Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung)
Time: 19:15–21:00
Location: CINEMA 2
Premiere screening of Zinema, the latest documentary by Kornii Hrytsiuk, which explores decades of propaganda in Russian fictional cinema that has supported wars against sovereign states since 1991. After the screening, a public discussion will reflect on the film’s insights into the role of culture in shaping narratives of war and imperialism.
*Movie was co-financed by Pilecki-Institut Berlin and Vitsche e.V.
Speakers:
- Kornii Hrytsiuk, film director
- Yevheniya Kriegsheim, film producer
- Vassili Golod, ARD correspondent to Ukraine
- Dr. Andrii Portnov, professor of Entangled History of Ukraine
Moderator: Eva Yakubovska (Vitsche)
The attempted sidelining of President Zelenskyy through accusations of ingratitude undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and rule of International laws. Meanwhile russia repeatedly violated international agreements, including Minsk I and Minsk II in 2014, the U.S. government chose to focus on emotional statements and backing russian propaganda.
Ukraine is fighting not only for its freedom but for Europe’s security. It is defending the values that underpin Europe’s foundation and its right to exist as a democratic nation. We are appalled by those who weaken Ukraine’s position on the global stage, especially at a time when unity is critical. Yesterday, in the Oval Office, the new U.S. government not only attacked Ukraine but Europe.
The U.S. government’s stance toward Ukraine — should alarm European allies and call for immediate action. The U.S., like russia, was one of the guarantors of Ukraine’s security after it gave up its nuclear weapons under the Budapest Memorandum in 1994. Yet today, surprisingly, the U.S. sides with russia by refusing to recognize Ukraine as a subject in shaping its own future. We see this Orwellian doublespeak in the U.S. president’s and vice-president’s statements, where the victim becomes the aggressor and the aggressor becomes the victim. The way the US deals with Ukraine reveals how America fundamentally understands its relations with international partners.
Therefore we call for European Unity and Leadership
Europe is facing a threat to democracy and international law. Today, Europe’s future is at stake. European countries must unite to stop russia’s war on freedom and ensure just peace.
Unwavering Support for Ukraine’s Sovereignty
Europe must demonstrate unequivocal support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Any attempt to undermine Ukraine’s place on the global stage must be met with unified resistance. Ukraine’s sovereignty cannot be compromised.
Increased Military and Humanitarian Aid, incl. Taurus.
Europe must increase its military and humanitarian support for Ukraine, including advanced defense systems and continued aid for those suffering from the war. Ukraine is defending Europe from russian invasion. As the U.S. treats its allies, Europe must take the lead in security matters, supplying weapons and increasing arms production for Ukraine. We are not asking others to fight for us — we ask for help to fight.
Use of Frozen Russian Assets
Russian assets, totaling approximately €250 billion to €300 billion across Europe, must be used to protect Europe. These assets should be redirected to support Ukraine in its defense, as part of Europe’s responsibility to secure its own future.
Be the Voice!
Join Vitsche and Campact on March 9th in a demonstration calling on the Bundestag to take action! The Bundestag is expected to vote on the proposed €200 billion defense spending package before the current legislature concludes at the end of March 2025. These packages are crucial to providing financial assistance for Ukraine’s defense and humanitarian needs. It’s time to move from talk to action. Money for Ukraine is not a donation, but an investment in Europe’s peaceful future. As the old world is being destroyed, the new one must be built with those who believe in freedom and just peace.
The dark times demand bright people!