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How a Skatepark Rose From the Ruins to Revive Youth Culture in War-Torn Okhtyrka
In Okhtyrka, just 50 kilometers from the Russian border, a group of young skaters and musicians has turned an abandoned factory into a skatepark and cultural hub—an act of defiance and resilience against the backdrop of war.
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
The project, known as Krytka, was launched by Street Cultures Okhtyrka, a non-profit led by Pavlo Ihnatchenko. Together with skater Bohdan and local creatives, they gutted the derelict building, installing ramps, DJ equipment, and communal spaces where young people can skate, play music, and gather.
“Every bolt we turned was like a small resistance,” Ihnatchenko recalls. “Some days we worked in silence, under shelling, without power. But the space grew, and with it, so did our hope.”
Krytka first opened in 2023 after nearly a decade of effort disrupted by the pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion. Despite constant bombardments and mass displacement from the city, the team pushed forward, supported by a short window of funding from the United States.
The skatepark quickly became more than a sports venue. Alongside ramps and half-pipes, Krytka hosts graffiti workshops, DJ sets, and cultural gatherings. Fast-paced breakbeats echo through the hall while skaters practice tricks; nearby, visitors play table tennis, table football, or simply spend time together. Street Cultures also provides skateboards free of charge to ensure access for anyone.
In a city once known for its vibrant underground music scene—nicknamed the “little Bristol of Ukraine”—Krytka now carries that cultural energy forward. In 2023, the group hosted a festival with DJs, graffiti artists, and skaters to mark the opening, even as many of their peers went to the frontlines or fled the country.
“It’s more than a skatepark, and it’s more than skateboarding itself,” Ihnatchenko says. “It’s a creative space where you can walk in and express yourself in any way—play music, paint, or just meet people. It’s about community and creativity.”
Street Cultures is now finalizing a short documentary about Krytka and the people who built it. The team hopes to screen it across Ukraine and eventually at European film festivals.
“The film is about people and community—the skatepark is just a metaphor,” Ihnatchenko explains. “We wanted to inspire others to create their own spaces. Culture isn’t only about taking, it’s about giving, moving forward, and evolving.”
Earlier, Ukrainian cultural NGO The Shadows Project launched the Stolen Art Campaign, the first coordinated youth-led effort to challenge the mislabeling of Ukrainian artists in major museums in New York, London, and Paris.
