The Ukrainian Institute London launches Kultura Moderna, an eight-week online course exploring the rich and diverse culture of Ukrainian modernism from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century.

Bringing together international scholars and cultural practitioners, the course examines how Ukrainian artists, writers, architects and musicians engaged with modernity, drawing on local traditions and transnational influences. From modernist literature and avant-garde art to architecture, theatre, graphic design, dance and music, the series offers a multidisciplinary perspective on Ukrainian cultural history.

We're particularly happy to see two familiar names in the programme: Olena Palko from the University of Basel, who will open the series with a lecture on the historical and political context of Ukrainian modernism, and Katia Denysova, our former URIS Fellow, whose research on Ukrainian art and modernism many of us will remember from her time in Basel.

Organised by the Ukrainian Institute London, the course features eight weekly online lectures with moderated discussions. Sessions are held in English, recorded for later viewing, and can be booked individually or as a complete course.

Program

Wed 28 October 18:30–20:00 GMT
Ukrainian Modernism. Context
The seminar reflects on socio-political transformations, cultural identity, empires and statehood.
Lecturer: Dr Olena Palko, University of Basel, Switzerland

Wed 4 November 18:30–20:00
Ukrainian Modernism in the Making. Olha Kobylianska and Lesia Ukrainka
The seminar examines modernist literature and feminism.
Lecturer: Dr Marko Pavlyshyn, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Wed 11 November 18:30–20:00 GMT
Ukrainian Artistic Modernism. Between the East and the West
This seminar explores visual arts, cubism, and futurism.
Lecturer: Dr Katia Denysova, University of Tübingen, Germany

Wed 18 November 18:30–20:00 GMT
Architectural Modernism in Early Soviet Kharkiv
The seminar explores architecture and urban planning.
Lecturer: Dr Christina E. Crawford, Emory University, USA

Wed 25 November 18:30–20:00 GMT
Modernist Theatre
The seminar focuses on theatre and scenography.

Lecturer: Virlana Tkacz, Yara Arts Group, New York City

Wed 2 December 18:30–20:00 GMT
Printing Modernity. Graphic Design and Book Art
The seminar will explore publishing and graphic design.
Lecturer: Lauren Warner-Treloar, Kingston University London

Wed 9 December 18:30–20:00 GMT
Modernism and Ukrainian Dance
This seminar examines ballet, choreography and folk dance.
Lecturer: Dr Andriy Nahachewsky, University of Alberta, Canada

Wed 16 December 18:30–20:00 GMT
Musical Modernism in Ukraine. Between Inheritance and Innovation
The seminar examines music, folk song and modernist musical composition.
Lecturer: Dr Leah Batstone, Montclair State University, USA

Further Information: https://uil.org.uk/events/kultura-2026-kultura-moderna-full-course/

Practical Information

Dates: 28 October–16 December 2026
Time: Wednesdays, 18:30–20:00 London time (19:30–21:00 Swiss time)
Format: Online via Zoom, in English
Fees: Full course £260 (£180 students); individual seminars £35 (£25 students)

All sessions are recorded.
Booking: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ukrainianinstitutelondon/2458408
Press release: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11sxkndXWhGAWDm8-fsEyd3uDm-ND90wvya7M_VAXDwk/edit?tab=t.0
Visuals: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZXpEpi0uYenbptkz56U8bK4FtDG2fnNe?usp=sharing
The course curators, Constance Uzwyshyn and Katia Denysova, are available for interviews.
For press enquiries, contact commsuil.org.uk.