Movie: AFAD and Ukraine
We present to you another episode from the film series created in collaboration with director Soňa Maletz. This episode stands out within the series, as — unlike the previous films — it does not focus on the inner workings of AFAD or the topics that directly concern us. Instead, it depicts the journey of the AFAD delegation and the visit to our Ukrainian partner schools during the ongoing war.
In April 2025, a delegation of twelve academic and non-academic staff members from AFAD, together with a film crew, visited three partner art schools in Ukraine — in Uzhhorod, Kyiv, and Lviv.
During this trip, a film was made documenting the current situation at Ukrainian art universities, as well as the everyday life and work of our colleagues and students amidst the war.
The delegation visited the Transcarpathian Academy of Arts in Uzhhorod, the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Kyiv, and the Lviv National Academy of Arts.
“I think the Slovak and Ukrainian mentalities are very close. We even share common artistic heroes. The visit of our colleagues from Bratislava means a lot to us — it’s like an extended helping hand. We talk about cultural support, and we truly need it.”
— Ivan Nebesnyk, Transcarpathian Academy of Arts, Uzhhorod
“We see our future in the European family, through cooperation with European schools. We are trying to build our own Ukrainian school of design. But to do that, we must learn from others — and also show what we have to offer.”
— Olena Tykhonyuk, National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, Kyiv
“I believe it’s about self-discipline, and about truly believing in what you do. Otherwise, you might begin to question yourself — people are dying, so what we are doing — is it really valuable enough?”
— Ludmyla Smakova, PhD student, Lviv National Academy of Arts
“I would like my school to no longer have to serve as a refuge for displaced people. Even though we are open, it’s not normal.”
— Vasyl Kosiv, Rector, Lviv National Academy of Arts
Featuring: Ivan Nebesnyk, Mykhailo Pryimych, Olena Kashshay, Oleksandr Cuhorka, Olena Tykhonyuk, Dmytro Stadnychenko, Ludmyla Smakova, Vasyl Kosiv, Taras Lesiv
AFAD Delegation: Bohunka Koklesová, Marcel Benčík, Norbert Lacko, Tomáš Klepoch, Pavol Macho, Beata Jablonská, Zoltán Holocsy, Jana Hojstričová, Barbora Komarová, Kristína Majvitorová, Tomáš Jančařík, Ľudovít Paulis
Special thanks: Kseniia Rozhak-Lytvynenko
Directed by: Soňa Maletz
Cinematography: Michal Koštenský
Editing: Petra Štefancová
Sound: Igor Jedinák
Music: Vlado Nosáľ
Graphic Design: Lucia Gandelová