Thousands of kilometers of distance did not prevent cultural unity. On December 17, 2025, the festival "Donetsk Region is Near" was held in Drohobych, organized by Donetsk National Technical University.
The event aimed to show the continuity of Ukrainian culture and the richness of traditions in the eastern region of Ukraine. The idea for the event was proposed by Yevheniia Belytska, chair of the Donetsk National Technical University Student Council, as part of the project "The Color of Donetsk Region: Culture, History, and Women's Contribution." The initiative is being implemented with the support of the SMARTA public organization as part of the Ambassadors of Peaceful Change project, with technical support from UN Women in Ukraine and funding from the UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).
Today, Drohobych and Donetsk Region are more united than ever. This city has become the new home of Donetsk National Technical University, one of the oldest and most respected technical universities in the country. Due to the war, the university was forced to relocate several times, but now in Drohobych, it is not only recovering but also strengthening the region's educational sphere with new technical specialties.
The opening ceremony was attended by local government officials: Yaroslav Petsyukh, Deputy Head of the Drohobych District State Administration; Yuriy Kushlyk, Deputy Mayor for Humanitarian and Social Relations of the Drohobych City Council; and Volodymyr Khanas, Head of the Department of Culture and Tourism Development of the Drohobych City Council. The officials emphasized the symbolic nature of the event: despite geographical distance, common challenges and culture unite Ukrainians.
The festival program was extremely rich and combined social initiatives with historical memory. In particular, Lilia Kislitsyna, head of the NGO SMARTA, presented the work of the association Coalition 1325 Donetsk Region. Women. Peace. Security," and in the lobby of the People's House, visitors could view the photo exhibition "Women and War. Stories 'Before' and 'After,'" prepared by the Department of Family, Youth, and Mass Events of National Patriotic Education of the Donetsk Regional State Administration.
The local history aspect of the event was revealed by Natalia Bobrova, director of the Central Public Library of the Culture Department of the Myrnohrad City Council and head of the "Staryi Rudnyk" branch of the National Union of Local Historians of Ukraine. She presented an exhibition that tells about the deep historical roots of the Myrnohrad region.
In parallel with the official part, the festival became an interactive platform for young people. The People's House hosted workshops on painting patriotic shopping bags "Colours of Donetsk Region", decorating Christmas decorations and learning Christmas carols. Participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in history by learning about the Pokrovsk roots of the legendary "Shchedryk" or test their knowledge in the board game "Code of Donetsk Region."
The mobile technical workshop "Tolochar," located next to the People's House, was of particular interest. City residents had the opportunity to see the 3D printing process with their own eyes, talk to experts, and evaluate the capabilities of modern technologies. This festival was convincing proof that Donetsk region is not only about industrial potential, but also about deep culture, talented people, and a desire for innovation, all of which are harmoniously integrated into the life of the Drohobych community.