What to Do in Kyiv on the Weekend of February 21–22: Concerts, Musicals, Exhibitions and Markets

Premieres, major concerts, камерні exhibitions, family musicals, lectures and markets — in February, Kyiv offers plenty of reasons to leave the house even in the middle of freezing weather. We’ve put together a guide to the upcoming events: from the large stages of the Palace “Ukraine” and MCCM to gallery spaces and clubs where new music is звучить.

Play “Salted Milk”

“Salted Milk” is a production by young artists of Ivan Uryvskyi’s creative workshop, based on the play “The Misunderstanding” by Albert Camus. At its core is a story about loneliness, the need for love, and the consequences of silence that can destroy lives.

The action takes place in a provincial town where a mother and daughter run a house, hosting travelers. Under certain circumstances, the guests may become their victims. A man returns to the house hoping to reconnect with his family and start over, but the encounter with the past turns out to be tragic.

Admission: 300–600 UAH

Concert by The Maneken

Yevhen Filatov, known as The Maneken, returns to the stage after a nine-year creative break with a new album, Nova Era. He will present it at a major concert in Kyiv.

The record blends electropop, funk, urban rhythms and rich electronic sounds. More than 70 musicians from Ukraine and other countries worked on the release.

Admission: from 890 UAH

VSI. SVOI. Decor. Clothing. Gastronomy

On February 21–22, the “Vsi. Svoi” market will hold its final winter event of the season. Around 200 Ukrainian brands — from local clothing producers to гастрономічні projects — will gather under one roof.

The program includes home décor, tableware and textiles, candles, natural cosmetics, books, farm products and craft sweets. Visitors will also be able to purchase clothing, footwear and accessories. The market is an opportunity to support Ukrainian producers and refresh your wardrobe or living space ahead of spring.

Admission: free

Masnytsia at VDNH

On February 21–22, Masnytsia will be celebrated at VDNH. The venue will be designed as an ethno-space featuring straw decorations, bright ribbons and themed photo zones with Ukrainian symbols.

The program includes reenactments of traditional Masnytsia rituals: tying the “kolodka,” singing spring songs and haivky, symbolic farewell to winter and welcoming of spring. Performances by folk groups and festive treats are planned. The celebration will conclude with the ritual burning of a winter effigy — a symbolic goodbye to the cold season.

Admission: free

National Premiere of the Film “Mavka. The True Myth”

On February 22, the Palace “Ukraine” will host the national premiere of the film “Mavka. The True Myth” — a new feature from the creators of the animated hit “Mavka. The Forest Song.” This is the first film premiere of such scale to take place on this stage.

In addition to the screening, organizers announce a meeting with the film’s team and stars of cinema and show business. At the center of the story is forbidden love: Mavka falls in love with the biologist Lukian instead of drowning him in the Dark Lake. However, the lake’s inhabitants — mavkas and rusalkas — are not ready to let their prey go and do everything they can to bring Mavka back to the dark side.

Admission: 400–700 UAH

“Project 24022022”

On February 17, the Museum of the History of Kyiv, together with the “Cultural Forces” platform, opens the exhibition “Project 24022022.” It is an artistic reflection on the point of no return — about the transformation of society and a personal vision of the path the country is taking today.

The project features artists who are also servicemen and participants of the “Cultural Forces” platform: Serhii Hrekh (Feros), Ihor Husiev, Stas Zhalobniuk, Ivan Mykhailov, Valerii Puzik, Mykhailo Skop (NEIVANMADE).

The works focus on comprehending the threshold the entire country has crossed. It is not only a recollection of the beginning of the full-scale invasion, but also an attempt to document the process of change — when society leaves behind previous identities and searches for new meanings in a reality that is being shaped right now.

Admission: 50–100 UAH

Concert by the Band “Uliana Del Rey”

In February, “Uliana Del Rey” will come to the capital as part of a tour featuring a greatest hits program. The setlist includes tracks that listeners have replayed time and again: from “2007” to “Mother’s Room.”

The concert promises to avoid excessive drama — instead offering more festive spirit and moments when you’ll want to sing along or simply hug someone nearby.

Admission: 600–1500 UAH

Exhibition “Afterlife”

The Imagine Point gallery will host the group exhibition “Afterlife,” curated by Ivanna Stratiichuk.

The project features Ivanna Stratiichuk (video art, installation), Oksana Stratiichuk (graphics), Yevhen Chornyi (painting), Tetiana Chorna (jewelry art), elisELIS (poetry, installation), Nina Savenko (painting, installation), Taras Kobliuk (installation), Alisa Hots (graphics), Nataliia Trubnikova (sculpture), Lina Romanukha (collage), Oleksandr Bohomaz (graphics, mosaic), Kateryna Kosiak (painting), Kateryna Salve (graphics, installation), Vitalii Kravets (installation), Karina Pustovalova (script work).

The project focuses on the theme of loss and the experience of life after it. The authors reflect on “afterlife” for those who have passed away and “afterdeath” — the state in which loved ones remain. Through painting, graphics, installations, video art, poetry and sculpture, the artists invite viewers to confront inevitability while returning to a sense of presence — here and now.

Admission: free

Musical “Mother’s Necklace”

“Mother’s Necklace” is a family musical written and narrated by Svitlana Tarabarova. Her music sets the tone of the performance — warm, bright and filled with faith in the triumph of good.

At the center of the story are a brother and sister who set off on a journey to collect their mother’s scattered magical necklace. On their way they encounter the Land of Kindness, the Mountains of Friendship, the Valley of Joy and a Secret Cave where darkness tests their courage and sincerity. The children overcome obstacles thanks to kindness, love and inner light, which proves stronger than evil.

Admission: 980–2280 UAH

Exhibition “The Inside-Out Universe”

The National Museum of Decorative Arts of Ukraine presents the exhibition “The Inside-Out Universe,” whose central exhibit is Alina Haieva’s triptych “Territory of Reality. Groundless Country.” It is the artist’s largest work — both in scale and in internal complexity. In it, she reflects on the country’s contemporary existence, its preconditions and possible prospects. In composition and richness of detail, the triptych echoes “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch.

In working on the imagery, the artist relies on the methodology of historical cognition by Johann Gustav Droysen, which views a work as a product of a specific cultural tradition.

Based on the triptych, a deck of projective metaphorical cards titled “The Inside-Out Universe” has been created. Such cards are used in psychological counseling and therapy as a tool for exploring inner states. They help bypass psychological defense mechanisms and, through visual imagery, reflect on one’s own needs, values, beliefs, motives and fears.

Admission: with a museum ticket