Vitsche at Cafe Kyiv

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)