Resilience in Kharkiv: Life and Culture Amidst War

Despite Relentless Russian Attack, Life in Kharkiv Endures Underground

In the war-torn city of Kharkiv, Ukraine, where the ominous sounds of bombings and air-raid alerts are an everyday reality, residents are discovering pockets of joy and emotional release amidst the chaos. The indomitable spirit of the community shines through as they cling to the rituals of ordinary life, including heartfelt open-air graduation ceremonies for children. Even in the face of destruction, people find diverse avenues for self-expression, both above ground and below.

Skateboarders glide effortlessly across public squares, while dancers perform with grace, transforming the streets into vibrant stages. However, a new cultural landscape has emerged beneath the surface, with operas being staged in makeshift garages and rock concerts echoing through underground bars. The ambition of the people remains unyielding, as they declare, “It’s war, but no one is going to stop us from living.”

Photographs by Daniel Berehulak

Text by Constant Méheut and Oleksandra Mykolyshyn

Daniel Berehulak, Constant Méheut, and Oleksandra Mykolyshyn spent several days in Kharkiv during the summer to document this remarkable resilience.

In a recent morning rehearsal held in a dimly lit underground garage, an unexpected sound pierced the air: the powerful and emotive voices of a soprano and a baritone singing their hearts out. Every so often, the singers were momentarily halted by the passionate directives of their director, Oleksii Duhinov, who roamed the makeshift stage, bringing energy and urgency to the rehearsal of Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro.”

“You’re standing like a stone!” he exclaimed at one baritone, seizing his shoulders to encourage him to infuse more life and movement into his performance. Nearby, fellow performers looked on with a mix of amusement and admiration, seated on rows of black plastic chairs set against the gray concrete floor of the garage.

This garage has become the new home for Kharkiv’s National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, which has relocated its operations several feet underground. The grand auditorium above, once bustling with 1,500 eager patrons, has remained largely desolate since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

• Veronika Koval, a talented mezzo-soprano, takes a moment to rest before her performance at the Kharkiv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.
• Musicians busily prepare for their underground performances, embodying the spirit of resilience that defines this city.