In June, Kyiv’s theaters will present several premieres and new stage adaptations—ranging from classics of Ukrainian drama to children’s theater, contemporary drama, and musical productions. Our selection includes events from the “TyKyiv” Instagram channel, as well as premieres by the National Operetta of Ukraine.
“TyKyiv” Instagram channel: https://www.instagram.com/tykyiv/
“Oh, Don’t Go, Hrytsiu…”
The Lesia Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theater will present a new interpretation of Mykhailo Starytsky’s play “Oh, Don’t Go, Hrytsiu, to the Evening Gathering.”
In this production, the story of love and betrayal is transposed into a modern urban setting. As noted in the announcement, here “feelings quickly become weapons, and the struggle for attention and significance often outweighs the truth.”
Where: Lesya Ukrainka National Drama Theater, 5 Bohdan Khmelnytsky St.
When: June 8 at 7:00 p.m., June 9 at 7:00 p.m.
“Winnie-the-Pooh”
The Kyiv Municipal Puppet Theater on the left bank of the Dnipro will present a puppet version of the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh. The performance is based on the children’s stories by English author A. A. Milne.
The story centers on the teddy bear Winnie the Pooh and his toy friends. The director of the production is Gleb Gyutin.
Where: Kyiv Municipal Puppet Theater on the left bank of the Dnipro, 1 Myropilska St.
When: June 13 at 11:00 a.m., June 28 at 11:00 a.m.
“The Rabbit Hole”
The Wild Theater presents a production based on the play “The Rabbit Hole” by American playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. It is a story about a difficult loss and the search for a way to cope with personal tragedy.
At the center of the plot is a married couple whose four-year-old son died in a car accident. The characters grieve the loss in different ways: some do so openly, while others keep their feelings hidden inside.
Where: Stage 6 of the Dovzhenko Center, 1 Vasylkivska St.
When: June 26 at 6:30 p.m., June 27 at 6:00 p.m.
“Tiger Hunters”
Kyiv’s “Golden Gate” Theater presents a new adaptation of Ivan Bagryany’s adventure novel “Tiger Hunters.”
The story follows aviation engineer and political prisoner Hryhorii Mnohohrishnyi. In the 1930s, he escapes from a “death train” and ends up in the Far East, where he finds a family of Ukrainian settlers.
Where: Kyiv’s “Golden Gate” Theater, 7A Shovkovychna St.
When: June 27 at 6:00 PM, June 28 at 6:00 PM.
Premieres at the National Operetta of Ukraine
In June, the National Operetta of Ukraine will also present several notable productions as part of its 91st theater season.
“KING LIR! VERSION”
In early June, the Frank Theatre will present a new stage adaptation of Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” translated by Yuri Andrukhovych.
This is the story of the legendary ruler of Britain, who at the end of his reign decides to relinquish power and divide the kingdom among his three daughters. But the king’s personal choice sets off a drama about power, family, responsibility, and the price of mistakes.
The theater emphasizes: “King Lear” is not only a Shakespearean classic but also a play about timeless questions that remain relevant for people and society today.
Where: Ivan Franko National Drama Theater,
3 Ivan Franko Square
When:
June 5 — 6:00 PM
June 6 — 3:00 PM
June 11 — 6:00 PM
“Insects”
On June 19 and 20, the National Operetta of Ukraine will present the premiere of Igor Nebesny’s phantasmagorical musical “Insects.”
The production will take place on the theater’s main stage. The performance is intended for audiences aged 12 and older.
Where: National Operetta of Ukraine, 53/3 Velyka Vasylkivska St.
When: June 19 at 6:00 PM, June 20 at 5:00 PM.
“Tiger Hunters” at the National Operetta
In addition to the “Golden Gate” Theater, the National Operetta of Ukraine will also adapt Ivan Bagryany’s novel in June. On June 28, the theater’s main stage will host the musical “Tiger Hunters” by Kirill Beskrovny, Anatoly Gumanuk, and Bogdan Reshetilov.
The production is based on Ivan Bagryany’s novel of the same name and combines the literary source material with a musical-theatrical format.
Where: National Operetta of Ukraine, 53/3 Velyka Vasylkivska St.
When: June 28 at 5:00 p.m.
Thus, Kyiv’s June theater program combines classics, contemporary drama, children’s theater, and musical productions. For audiences, this is an opportunity to see both new interpretations of well-known works and premieres on the capital’s major stages.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZKSi7Kjblv/?img_index=2
Kyiv hosted celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the proclamation of the Italian Republic. On this occasion, the Independence Monument on Maidan was illuminated for the first time in history in honor of a foreign country—in the colors of the Italian tricolor, according to the Italian Embassy in Ukraine.
The events in Kyiv were hosted by Italian Ambassador to Ukraine Carlo Formosa. In his speech, he emphasized the connection between Italy’s historical experience after World War II and Ukraine’s current struggle for freedom and independence.
“Looking at today’s Ukraine and its resilience, memories come to mind of the sacrifices Italians made after the tragedy of fascism and the war to build a democratic state together. Just like our country eighty years ago, the courageous and unbreakable people of Ukraine are experiencing a moment when freedom ceases to be an abstract concept and becomes a daily, concrete, and precious choice,” the ambassador stated.
Formosa noted that Ukraine is defending not only itself but also principles vital to all of Europe: sovereignty, the right of a people to choose their own future, and the inadmissibility of using force as an argument in international relations.
“It is precisely thanks to its deep commitment to these values that Italy has stood unwaveringly by Ukraine’s side from the very first day of the Russian invasion. We continue to work together for a just and lasting peace,” the ambassador added.
The celebrations were attended by representatives of Ukraine’s state bodies, the Office of the President, the government, central and local authorities, as well as representatives of business, culture, science, the media, civil society, and the Italian community in Ukraine.
A separate part of the program was the exhibition “Renato Balestra. Codes of Haute Couture,” opened in Kyiv to mark the anniversary of the Italian Republic. The exhibition features eleven evening gowns from the fashion house, founded in Rome in 1959. The exhibition traces the over 60-year history of the Made in Italy brand, the legacy of its founder, and the fashion house’s contemporary development.
The Italian Embassy also provided photo and video materials showing the Independence Monument illuminated in the colors of the Italian flag. The materials are available for free use.
The Italian Republic was proclaimed following a referendum on June 2, 1946, as a result of which Italy abandoned the monarchy and became a republic. Republic Day is Italy’s main national holiday.
According to the Interfax-Ukraine Culture project, dozens of Kyiv museums will traditionally open their doors for free admission in June. Journalists from the culture department of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency have compiled a list of museums where you can explore the capital’s history, art, and cultural heritage without purchasing a ticket.
Museum June will begin on June 2 with an open house at the National Museum of Ukrainian Folk Decorative Art on the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
The very next day, June 3, free admission until 2:00 p.m. will be available at three popular art venues in the capital—the National Museum “Kyiv Art Gallery,” the Khanenko Museum, and the “Chocolate House” Art Center.
On June 19, you can visit the Museum of Outstanding Figures of Ukrainian Culture for free.
The largest number of museums offering free admission will open on June 24. On this day, the National Museum of Ukrainian History, the Museum of Ukrainian Literature, the Museum of the History of Kyiv, the Museum of the 1960s Movement, the Museum of the Ukrainian Diaspora, the Sholom Aleichem Museum, the Museum of the Occupation of Kyiv, the Museum of the Avant-Garde, the Kudriavka Estate, and the Museum of Books and Printing of Ukraine will welcome guests.
On June 25, the Taras Shevchenko National Museum, the Taras Shevchenko House-Museum “Hata na Priortsi,” the Mykhailo Hrushevsky Historical and Memorial Museum, and the Mykhailo Bulgakov Literary and Memorial Museum will hold open house events.
The following day, June 26, free admission will be available to the Hetmanate Museum, the Ivan Honchar Museum National Center for Folk Culture, and the Kyiv Fortress National Historical and Architectural Museum.
At the end of the month, the Maria Zankovetska House-Museum, the Kyiv Literary and Memorial Museum of Maksym Rylsky, and the Pavlo Tychyna Literary and Memorial Apartment Museum will join the campaign, and visitors will be able to visit them for free on June 28.
On June 29, the Viktor Kosenko Apartment Museum and the Museum of Theater, Music, and Cinema Arts of Ukraine will open their doors to visitors.
The National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II will conclude the June program of free visits on June 30.
In addition to these special days, the Boris Paton State Polytechnic Museum, the Museum of Modern Art of Ukraine, and the Apple Museum on Khreshchatyk offer free admission on a regular basis.
Meanwhile, the Forest Museum can be visited for free every Wednesday, and the Money Museum of the National Bank of Ukraine offers free tours upon prior online registration.
https://interfax.com.ua/news/culture/1173008.html
17% of residents of the Ukrainian capital surveyed in the “Kyiv Digital” app say they experience constant fatigue, while another 15% note that they often experience anxiety.
The results of the survey on emotional state conducted in the app show that 17% of Kyiv residents feel constant fatigue, 15% often experience anxiety, 13% each have sleep problems, experience irritability or outbursts of anger, and feel on the verge of exhaustion, 11% feel apathetic, 10% feel well considering the situation, and 7% feel lonely.
When asked whom they turn to for support in difficult times, 39% said that they usually go through difficult moments on their own, 41% turn to family and friends, 8% to a psychologist or psychotherapist, 4% to colleagues and neighbors, 3% to specialized online resources, and 2% to a family doctor.
Kyiv residents were also asked what usually helps them support their emotional state. Thus, 23% answered that conversations with friends and family help them, 16% said reading books, watching films and other cultural activities, 15% each said immersion in work and sports and physical activity, 9% said sedative medications, 6% social networks, 5% maintaining a balance between work and rest, 4% psychological self-help skills, 3% volunteering and support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and 2% psychological consultations.
A total of 40.4 thousand users of the “Kyiv Digital” app took part in the surveys.
Kyiv plans to update public transportation fares: a single trip will cost 30 UAH, according to the press service of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA), which noted that a discount system will be in place for passengers who regularly use public transportation.
As reported on the KCSA’s Telegram channel on Monday, the cost of a single trip will depend on the number of trips purchased on the transit card. Thus, when purchasing 1–9 trips, the fare will be 30 UAH; 10–19 trips – 28.90 UAH; 20–29 trips – 27.80 UAH; 30–39 trips – 26.60 UAH; 40–49 trips – 25.50 UAH; 50 trips – 25 UAH.
Monthly passes are also available, with the cost of a single trip amounting to approximately 23.3–23.6 UAH. Discounted rates remain in place for students and schoolchildren: students will pay 50% of the monthly pass price; schoolchildren will ride for free during the school year and with a 75% discount in the summer.
Separately, there are plans to introduce a transfer ticket for 60 UAH, which will allow unlimited transfers between the metro and surface transit within 90 minutes.
The press service noted that fares in the capital have not been revised since 2018. The need to update fares is attributed to rising costs for electricity, fuel, labor, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure.
The new fares are scheduled to take effect on July 15, 2026, following the completion of regulatory procedures, as well as consultations with the public and labor unions.
As previously reported, starting January 1, 2022, Kyiv planned to raise public transit fares to 20 UAH, and to 12 UAH for holders of the Kyiv City Card.
In late 2021, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko assured that public transportation fares would not increase until the end of the heating season.
In 2023, Kyiv city officials stated that they do not intend to raise public transportation fares until the end of the war.
In September 2025, Mayor Klitschko stated that despite the fact that public transportation in Kyiv is subsidized, the city is looking for ways to avoid raising fares.
Ukrzaliznytsia has launched a new flagship train, the “Sakura,” which connects Kyiv and Uzhhorod and features new cars manufactured in Ukraine in 2026, according to a statement from the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development.
According to the Ministry’s press release on Tuesday, the new cars are equipped with security systems featuring surveillance cameras and include a number of passenger-friendly improvements: rechargeable batteries, additional amenities for traveling with children, inclusive design elements, and functional comfort features in the compartments.
The new flagship train departs on its maiden voyage from Kyiv to Uzhhorod today, April 28.
“In total, Japan has already provided Ukraine with over $15 billion in financial, humanitarian, and technical aid. “Within the framework of grant programs, we are coordinating four phases of emergency recovery totaling approximately $700 million and expect to sign the next phase for an additional $40 million,” Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba is quoted as saying in the release.
It is noted that with JICA’s assistance, Ukraine received approximately 28,000 tons of rails manufactured by Nippon Steel and dozens of units of specialized equipment, which allowed for the renewal of about 200 km of tracks on key routes.
The Ministry of Development added that 12 train cars feature cherry blossom petal branding.
In addition, passengers on the train will have access to an online portal about Japanese culture, architecture, and art, and will also be able to explore elements of Japanese cuisine, board games, and joint Ukrainian-Japanese cultural projects.
As previously reported, Ukrzaliznytsia received the first six of 100 new passenger cars ordered in 2025 from PJSC Kryukiv Railway Car Building Works (KVBZ).
The total contract value is approximately 6.5 billion UAH, and funding is provided from the state budget.
Deliveries are expected to continue in phases until May 2028, and 60 such cars will be ready by the end of 2026.
