Culture

From smashing a 2,000-year-old Han dynasty urn to carpeting the vast halls of the Tate Modern with millions of ceramic sunflower seeds, the career of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been defined by large-scale statements. The very established artist, who started off as a dissident not only in China but in the art world itself, talks to us about his time in Ukraine.

The Circularity on the Edge installation, an innovative architectural and art project, is on display at the Venice Biennale Architettura 2025.

Amid Russia’s relentless assaults in eastern Ukraine, volunteers and soldiers have begun rescuing medieval “stone babas”—statues carved 800 years ago—from the frontline. What are these statues and why do they matter?

“Following the 2022 invasion, non-coordination was an impossibility.” When Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, Ukrainian Americans mobilized with speed and passion. Churches held prayers, solidarity rallies erupted across cities, and diaspora leaders lobbied Congress for aid. But behind this surge of unity lies a complicated story. The Ukrainian diaspora in the United States has long been divided—by history, faith, and politics.

At the Grand Palais this week, amid the international throng, Ukraine will very much be present—not quietly, not apologetically, but with a persistent, urgent visibility. 

At the 2025 European Film Awards, three shortlisted Ukrainian films confront war and belonging, marking Ukraine’s expanding presence on the European cultural stage.