Six representatives of the creative professions are in the running for the honorary award “Star of Culture of the City of Mykolaiv – 2026”. They were nominated for their significant contributions to the city’s cultural life. The candidates were announced by the Department of Culture of the Mykolaiv City Council.
The nominees include a writer, musicians, an artist, directors, and teachers. Here are the candidates for this year’s award:
- Hanna Polovenko is a Ukrainian writer for whom Mykolaiv and the experiences of its residents are important themes. In her books, she reflects on wartime experiences and preserves eyewitness accounts. Her works have been published by Iryna Hudym Publishing House:
- “Mykolaiv. 24.02.2022”;
- “Life Like Shards of Glass”;
- “My Necklace”.
Since 2022, the writer has also volunteered with the Red Cross and the community organization “Kikimora”.
- Volodymyr Vasylenko is a top-category performer with the folk-instrument ensemble “Vizernuky”. In 2025, he became the ensemble’s musical director and was awarded the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine. The musician creates and organizes artistic projects, including concerts by the Soul Time trio and the Acoustic Band ensemble. His work includes dozens of original compositions and hundreds of arrangements of Ukrainian music. As a member of “Vizernuky”, he has won the Grand Prix and received awards at national and international competitions. Over the past four and a half years, he has performed at charity concerts in Ukraine and the Netherlands, with proceeds going to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- Yurii Odrobynskyi heads the Department of Design at Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University. He is an artist, a woodcarver, a PhD in Art History, and an associate professor. His portfolio includes more than 100 decorative panels featuring ethno-futuristic imagery. The artist has held 16 solo exhibitions and participated in more than 80 group exhibitions in Ukraine, Italy, Germany, and Denmark. His honors include the Mykola Arkas Regional Award and the title of Merited Figure of Arts of Ukraine.
- Oleksandr Siechin teaches percussion at Children’s Music School No. 2, where he has worked since 2007. His students compete at various levels and represent the school at musical events. He also performs in concerts, taking part in programs by the band “Kryla” and other pop ensembles. From 2024 to 2026, he has been organizing the traditional concerts featuring students from his class.
- Oleksandr Koval is a director at the Molodizhnyi Mykolaiv City Palace of Culture. He stages plays, prepares concert programs, including children’s shows, and hosts cultural events. Among his major works is the theatrical and choreographic production “Hetman”, presented in 2025. In this project, Koval not only directed but also played one of the leading roles.
- Serhii Rozmarytsia teaches at the Mykolaiv Professional College of Culture and Arts, training future performing arts professionals. He also works as a director, presenter, and cultural event organizer. He is known as the “voice of Mykolaiv” because he hosts many important city events, including those dedicated to:
- Unity Day;
- Independence Day;
- Defenders of Ukraine Day;
- Holodomor Remembrance Day.
A separate candidate was selected for the title of “Honorary Cultural Ambassador of the City of Mykolaiv”:
- Ruslana Sikalenko is a project manager for regional branding and social entrepreneurship at the public organization “South Center for Adult Learning and Education”. She created and leads the project “The Identity of Mykolaiv Region: Past, Present, and Future”, also known as “In Search of Mykolaiv’s DNA”. Her work has helped revive Tavria decorative painting and establish a workshop dedicated to this art form in Mykolaiv. Sikalenko supports local folk artists, works to preserve regional memory and develop local identity, and promotes the cultural heritage of the Mykolaiv region.
The Department of Culture congratulated the nominees, wishing them inspiration, new creative achievements, and an appreciative audience.
We previously reported:
- “For their significant contributions”: Mykolaiv honors non-artists with the “Honorary Cultural Ambassador” award
- Unbreakable musicians: Mykolaiv trio wins at “Chervona Ruta 2025”
- Mykolaiv residents named “Merited Artists of Ukraine”
- Mykolaiv artists receive the honorary “Star of Culture” award
- “Life despite the war”: Mykolaiv residents discover the fascinating world of Tavria decorative painting
