Participant in the regional contest “Young Person of the Year – 2026” “Creators of Change and Opportunities” category: Natalia Ishchenko
Natalia Ishchenko is a graduate of the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, whose heart belongs forever to the blessed Donetsk region. Having grown up among the boundless steppes, she chose working with children and youth as her calling. For her, this is not just a profession, but a mission—to inspire, unite, and shape the future of Ukraine.
Since 2023, Natalia has headed the Nikolsk Village House of Culture, and she currently serves as the chief specialist for information and internal policy at the Mykolaivska SVA. Even in the toughest times, she finds ways to bring her fellow villagers together through remote formats. With her support, numerous projects have been implemented, including the “Donetsk Region” Cultural Hub, the “Wild Field: The Path to Europe” and “Living Heritage—Unbreakable Identity” festivals, and the “Embroidered Donetsk Region” arts initiative in 2025–2026.
A special aspect of her work is preserving the truth about the war. Together with concerned residents, Natalia has collected the stories of fallen heroes, freed prisoners of war, and internally displaced persons. This led to the creation of the book *We Were, We Are, and We Will Be*—a chronicle of pain, faith, and strength. Today, the team is working on a new publication, *We Fight for the Right to BE*, and a collection of poems in memory of Alisa Moroz.
“Even in the hardest times, we must prove through our own example that our culture and memory are unbreakable,” Natalia is convinced.