Years after the onset of war in Ukraine, the nation continues to endure immense hardship, yet its spirit remains unbroken. The war has reshaped everyday life and emboldened Ukrainians to remain resilient in the face of aggression. The war in Ukraine has not only targeted infrastructure and civilian lives, it has also targeted Ukraine’s artists and cultural institutions. Museums, theaters, and other avenues of art have been deliberately attacked and destroyed as an attempt to erase identity and silence the voices that tell the Ukrainian story. 

Yet, in times of crisis, art becomes even more essential—it preserves history, inspires resilience, and fosters a sense of unity. Despite the dangers they face, Ukrainian artists continue to create and share their work, using their craft as a powerful form of both language and resistance against oppression. Through music, painting, literature, and film, they ensure that Ukraine’s story is not forgotten.

Amidst this backdrop, Porcelain War, an Academy Award® nominee for Best Documentary Feature, captures the unyielding strength of the Ukrainian people through the lens of art and conflict. On February 10, 2025, Aspen Institute Kyiv in partnership with Aspen Health, Medicine & Society and Picturehouse, hosted a special screening of Porcelain War.

Through stunning visuals and deeply personal narratives, the documentary highlights how everyday Ukrainians have had their lives transformed and how artists have continued to use their craft as a form of resistance, expression, and comfort during the challenges of war. The film demonstrates that even in the darkest times, art can serve as both a shield and a voice. One subject in the documentary poignantly noted, “…We’re ordinary people in an extraordinary situation.”

The documentary serves as a moving reminder that even in destruction, creativity and hope remain. 

“The stories we tell through art, they are also our resistance.” – Slava Leontyev

Ahead of the film, the audience heard from Ambassador Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, with a powerful message to continue to hold Ukraine at the forefront of our minds. Following the screening, Aspen Strategy Group’s Niamh King led a thought-provoking discussion with Slava Leontyev, Director and film participant, on the role of art in wartime. Slava shared more about the transformative power of art and the conscious choice to stand defiantly in the face of devastation.

As the evening concluded, attendees left the theater not only with a deeper understanding of Ukraine’s struggle, but with a renewed appreciation for the enduring Ukrainian spirit. Porcelain War is more than a film—it is a movement to be felt, shared, and remembered.

Much like the perseverance captured in Porcelain War, Aspen Institute Kyiv continues to be steadfast in supporting Ukraine’s democratic resilience, leadership, and cultural preservation. Through dialogue, education, and civic engagement, Aspen Kyiv fosters critical discussions that help shape the country’s future, emphasizing the role of values-driven leadership in times of crisis. Their programs provide a space for Ukrainians to exchange ideas, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure that Ukraine’s rich cultural and intellectual traditions endure.

In the face of immense challenges, Aspen Kyiv serves as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for long-term recovery, standing firm in its commitment to ensuring that Ukraine’s voice is heard on the global stage.

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Porcelain War is playing in select theaters. You can find tickets here. You can find more about the work of Aspen Kyiv here and support its work here.

The Aspen Institute and Aspen Kyiv were also proud to join forces to present the Beast of War​, Bird of Hope, a Ukrainian art exhibition, which premiered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2023 and be viewed online here.