What to do in Kyiv for the weekend of November 15–17: concert shows, performances, and exhibitions

Planning a cultural weekend in Kyiv? This weekend, you'll find vibrant exhibitions, emotional concerts by Ukrainian artists, and lyrical theatrical performances. Choose the events that appeal to you and spend your time both interestingly and usefully.

Exhibition by Maria Vasylenko "A Place That Doesn't Exist" at The Naked Room

Since November 1, The Naked Room has been hosting an exhibition by artist Maria Vasylenko, inviting viewers into a world where time and space as we know them do not exist. This is a space of myths and symbols created for the dialogue between consciousness and the surroundings.

Maria Vasylenko has abandoned classical techniques of academic painting and iconography, instead creating her own artistic language. She uses egg tempera — a transparent and immaterial medium, and in her compositions, she applies reverse perspective, bringing the "vanishing point" closer to the viewer.

The artist’s paintings are executed on sheets of recycled wood, which adds a palpable corporeality and brings the sacred closer to reality. Some works in the exhibition are detached from the walls, making the artist's mythical space accessible and tangible.

Entry: Free

Concert-show "WHO AMONG US?" from the YouTube channel ZHABAGADYUKA

ZHABAGADYUKA is a Ukrainian entertainment content for connoisseurs of modern humor and celebrity scandal stories.

On November 19, star residents of the YouTube channel will perform on the Caribbean Club stage: Ukrainian stand-up comedian, actor, and TV host Vlad Kuran, blogger and comedian Vasya Kharizma, Oleg Svish — comedian, winner of the Laugh League and participant in Bad Street Boys, as well as Anton Myhal — the concert host and also a comedian.

So, visitors can expect uncensored humor, sharp jokes, vivid emotions, and audience improvisation.

Entry: from 390 UAH

Exhibition of Ukrainian Mosaics by Yevhen Nikiforov at thesteinstudio

The thesteinstudio gallery in Kyiv is showcasing an exhibition of photographs of Soviet-era mosaics created by photographer Yevhen Nikiforov. From 2013 to 2023, he documented works by unknown authors (1950–1990), which are included in the book "Chips: Ukrainian Naive Mosaics, 1950–90," co-authored with historian Polina Baitsim.

The title "Chips" refers to the term used by artists to describe the pieces of glass, ceramics, or smalt that make up a mosaic. A symbolic element for the author is the image of seagulls from the Mariupol café "Ilyus," which adorns the exhibition poster.

The exhibition includes photographs from the book and archival works that rarely come into focus for viewers. According to Nikiforov, the exhibition is designed to show the less noticeable but important elements of mosaic art that form the uniqueness of Ukrainian culture.

Entry: Free

PARFENIUK Concert

On November 16, 22-year-old self-made artist PARFENIUK will perform his hits, including "I Led a Tour," "Breaking Up," "Palms," "Kill," "On the Roof," "Temperature," "Nearby," "Mala." The program includes duets with KOLA, Wellboy, and other guest artists.

In addition to favorite songs, you can expect surprises related to his upcoming album and live musical accompaniment.

Entry: from 890 UAH

Play "Symonenko"

Director Andriy Margosyan created a production that unveils the life and work of Ukrainian poet Vasyl Symonenko — from childhood to his final days.

The play is based on sincere gratitude to the artist whose poems continue to serve as a guide in the search for national identity. Without pretense, it offers an honest look at the multifaceted nature of his personality and creativity.

Entry: from 300 UAH

Exhibition by Oleg Tistol "Television. Contemporary Antiques"

The exhibition is a modern continuation of the cult series "Television" (2004–2005), which gained recognition from art critics and became a significant phenomenon in Ukrainian art.

In addition to the well-known paintings, the exhibition will present for the first time photographs that served as the basis for the paintings and sculptures by Oleg Tistol. The project also involved Marina Skugareva and Mykola Matsenko, who created new works specifically for this exhibition.

"Television. Contemporary Antiques" explores how the classical genre of painting can be reinterpreted by modern media, transforming into a relevant statement that has already become part of the history of Ukrainian art.

Entry: Free