Participant in the regional competition “Young Person of the Year – 2026” “Creators of Change and Opportunities” category: Lyudmyla Savchenko
A native of the village of Zlatoustivka in the Volnovakha District, Lyudmyla Savchenko has dedicated her life to ensuring that the traditional culture of the Donetsk region is celebrated in a vibrant and contemporary way. While studying at the studio affiliated with the H. Veriovka Choir and after graduating from the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, she combined her stage work with ethnographic field expeditions throughout her native region, recording authentic songs, rituals, and customs.
Lyudmyla is not only a singer and teacher but also a researcher of traditional folk costumes. She designed a vyshyvanka for the Volnovakha district, creates traditional wreaths and jewelry, and revives ancient techniques. While living in Germany during the war, she founded the “Voice of the Steppe” studio, where she taught Ukrainians and Germans songs from the Donetsk region and recorded a series of children’s nursery rhymes.
In 2025, Lyudmila returned to Ukraine. Today, she heads the Department of Visual Arts at the Donetsk Regional Educational and Methodological Center for Culture. Among her key initiatives are the projects “Treasures from the Chest of Time,” “Embroidered Donetsk Region,” “A Journey Through the Traditions of the Donetsk Region,” and “Culinary Practices of the Borderlands.”
Lyudmila Savchenko is convinced that preserving cultural heritage is not just a job, but a mission that helps young people connect with their roots and uphold Ukraine’s spiritual shield.