Six representatives of the arts and cultural sector received the honorary city award “Star of Culture of the City of Mykolaiv”. The ceremony was held yesterday, November 13, at the Palace of Ceremonial Events in Mykolaiv. The awards were part of the celebrations marking All-Ukrainian Day of Cultural Workers and Folk Art Masters.
In addition to this award, the city presented the distinction “Honorary Cultural Ambassador of the City of Mykolaiv” for the first time this year. It went to Ruslana Sikalenko, a project manager at the NGO “Center for the Development of Civic Initiatives ‘South’”. She created the project “Identity of Mykolaiv Region” and promotes Tavria-style painting.
The 2026 recipients of the “Star of Culture” award were:
- Hanna Polovenko — a Ukrainian writer and author of the books “Mykolaiv. 24.02.2022”, “Life Like Shards of Glass” and “My Necklace”. Her work engages with wartime events and preserves eyewitness accounts. Alongside her literary work, she volunteers.
- Yurii Odrobynskyi — an artist and woodcarver, Honored Art Worker of Ukraine, and head of the Department of Design at Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University. His work has been exhibited in Ukraine, Italy, Germany and Denmark. He has also received the regional Mykola Arkas Award.
- Oleksandr Koval — director at the Molodizhnyi Palace of Culture, where he stages theatrical productions and prepares concert programs. One of his most notable works this year was the large-scale theatrical and choreographic production “Hetman”.
- Serhii Rozmarytsia — director, presenter and lecturer at the Mykolaiv Professional College of Culture and Arts. Known as the “voice of Mykolaiv,” he hosts the city’s most important cultural and public events and trains future performing arts professionals.
- Oleksandr Siechin — percussion instructor at Children’s Music School No. 2. His students regularly win creative competitions. He also performs in concerts and takes part in various arts projects.
- Volodymyr Vasylenko — senior-category performer and musical director of the folk instrument ensemble “Vizерунки”, and Honored Artist of Ukraine. His body of work includes dozens of original compositions and hundreds of arrangements of Ukrainian music. He has won numerous international competitions and regularly performs at charity concerts in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Deputy Mayor Anatolii Petrov and Head of the Department of Culture and Arts Yurii Liubarov congratulated the recipients. As is customary, the awards were presented by previous “Star of Culture” winners.
Mykolaiv artists prepared the ceremony’s program. The following performed for the guests:
- Soloists from the “Prestige” vocal ensemble, Oleksandra Horshkova and Anastasiia Bratashchuk. The ensemble is led by Tetiana Tabakar.
- The “Faini” duo, consisting of Anna Aivazian and Anastasiia Bratashchuk.
- Children’s Music School No. 2 instructors Oleksandr Siechin and Nadiia Domuz, who performed an instrumental piece: he played the vibraphone, and she played the cello.
- Olivia Tkachyk, a young soloist from the “Golden Voice” vocal studio, led by Maria Naftalimova.
- The Dancedvizh dance duo.
The festive program concluded with a performance by the folk instrument ensemble “Vizерунки” of the Mykolaiv Regional Philharmonic, conducted by Volodymyr Vasylenko.
We previously reported:
- Six artists are in the running for Mykolaiv’s “Star of Culture”: all the names
- The stage, talent and a presidential scholarship: three Mykolaiv performers receive a creative boost
- “For their significant contributions”: non-artists in Mykolaiv receive “Honorary Cultural Ambassador” awards
- Mykolaiv residents receive the title of “Honored Artist of Ukraine”
- Artists in Mykolaiv receive the honorary “Star of Culture” award
