For almost three years now, our partners in Ukraine have been suffering as a result of the attacks on their country by Russia. For many, day-to-day life in war means enduring permanent life-threatening danger, fear of death, displacement and poverty. Ukrainians in Crimea and in the east of the country have been exposed to the horrors of war and Russian occupation for much longer.

How can cultural life continue in a civil society that is literally under fire? How can solidarity with those in need be effective when everyone is trying to survive in a state of emergency? Our long-standing local partners tirelessly demonstrate how democratic commitment and solidarity can be put into practice in the most adverse conditions. As we receive regular reports from projects on the ground, our team is both shocked and uplifted at the same time. These reports are currently all the more powerful as a driving force behind the diverse ways in which we embrace solidarity with Ukraine.

We present one of these striking project reports in this newsletter. It tells of how Nazi survivor Oleksandra Ivanivna Lyashenko was able to find a place of refuge in a library in Malyn, Ukraine – thanks in part to the funding program YeMistechko. Find out about this and other projects being pursued in and for Ukraine – such as our new podcast series Trümmer & Träume, at Cafe Kyiv 2025 on March 11 at the Colosseum Berlin.

You can also join us as we look back on Remembrance Day for the Victims of National Socialism and the future of remembrance.

Let’s continue to stand together – stay informed and get involved with us.

Dear Mr Razhkou, in spring 2024, Belarus passed a new repressive law against LGBTIQ people. It defines same-sex relationships and transgender people as ‘pornography.’ Prison sentences are threatened. What are the specific challenges faced by the Belarusian LGBTIQ community?

The situation is dire. After 2020, the LGBTIQ community became a target for law enforcement. Since queer activists participated in protests under rainbow flags, authorities have exploited homophobic sentiments in Belarus to discredit the broader 2020 protest movement. This is being done through aggressive propaganda and hate speech against queer people in the media, as well as “humiliating videos” where individuals are forced to disclose their orientation or gender identity, often accompanied by the public release of intimate photos or private messages. Many from the community have been imprisoned for protesting or are under house arrest. Charges like hooliganism or participation in mass riots are commonly used to target queer individuals.

Following Elon Musk's takeover of X and his recent interference in the German election campaign, foundations, politicians and scientific organisations have shut down their channels there. Will the same happen to other platforms now that they have stopped fact-checking? We wanted to talk to social media managers from our network of communicators about their plans and questions. Sarah Keller, Social Media Manager at the EVZ Foundation, reveals how we approached the issue.