Events
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2025 рікPhoto exhibition “In Focus — Life”
In the autumn of 2025, the photo exhibition “In Focus — Life” was held in the Staryi Saltiv community. It was created based on the results of an online competition in which community residents submitted their own photographs. These works formed the core of the exhibition. The winners were selected by an independent jury, and an open public vote by residents also took place for the photographs in the “Audience Choice” category.
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The exhibition presents a visual narrative of the Staryi Saltiv community — its nature, everyday life, memorable places, as well as the consequences of the war: destroyed houses and roads that bear witness to the hardships endured and the resilience of the community. We dream of presenting the exhibition in other communities across Ukraine in order to share more widely the story of the Staryi Saltiv community through the eyes of its residents. The exhibition was organized with the support of the Prague Civil Society Centre by members of the NGO “Good actions” in the premises of the Staryi Saltiv House of Culture.
The jury of the “In Focus — Life” photo contest included people who know the community well and have supported it for a long time. Among them was Britta Ellwanger, Director of Operations in Ukraine at the ForPEACE charitable foundation, who noted:
“It is a great honor to be part of your efforts aimed at reflecting your unique and personal perspective on life and reality in your community, especially under such circumstances.”
A member of the jury was also Dmytro Drizhd, a representative of the German humanitarian organization arche noVa e.V., who joined the competition as a representative of an organization involved in the recovery of the community and shared his own experience of getting to know Staryi Saltiv and its residents.
The jury also included Svitlana Levchenko, President-elect of the Rotary Club “Kharkiv Nadiya” for 2025–2026, who emphasized the importance of photography as a way of preserving moments and emotions over time:
“Photography is like sculpture in stone… these are emotions and moments that, thanks to the artist, can be seen through time. I wish you not to stop, to move forward, refining your skills and your ability to capture the ‘golden’ moment.” -
2022 yearLife of Saltivians in Occupation
"In dark times, you can see bright people the best" © Erich Maria Remarque.
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This saying has become especially relevant during the war. Before the war, our community was disjointed and inactive. Everyone lived their own lives, and the authorities seemed completely indifferent. Rare initiatives were met with indifference. Life flowed slowly in the picturesque village with its forests, fields, and river.
But on February 24, 2022, everything changed. The village froze in shock from explosions, terrified children, and despair. The war we thought was impossible became our reality.
Imagine your home. A quiet morning, a cozy family atmosphere, and then – explosions, windows shattering, the house shaking. The only thought – what about the children? And then military equipment drives past your windows, and your homes are taken over by new authorities. Neighbors are being shot. The feeling of helplessness and fear because no help can be found. We didn’t believe it either, but that’s how it was.
Our Old Saltiv was surrounded and then occupied. The first week we only flinched from explosions and gunfire. We watched as Russian planes destroyed Kharkiv, our city. People reacted differently: some tried to evacuate their families, some stocked up on food, and some simply couldn’t believe what was happening.
From the first days of the war, we were deprived of electricity, water, food and medicine supplies. There was no communication. This was part of the Russian occupiers' tactic to intimidate the population. On February 24, 2022, people gathered near the village council, but it was empty. No one tried to take action.
Ordinary people – electricians, entrepreneurs, farmers, housewives, teachers – began to act. They organized patrols, brought bread and medicine across the front line under fire. Later, Russian rockets destroyed the bakery.
When Russian troops entered the village, it felt like a dream. Locals were forced to wear white armbands, trenches were dug, and checkpoints were set up. Attempts to leave were searched, men were checked for tattoos, phones were thoroughly inspected. This limited the number of photos from the occupied areas. People erased memories on their smartphones because even a suspicious photo could lead to detention. Children were asked if they loved Ukraine. Many people didn’t dare to leave due to the danger on the road or during checks.
On the day the occupiers entered Old Saltiv, we ceased our activities, anticipating that the Russians might try to force us to cooperate.
Watch the video on our YouTube channel https://youtu.be/EmM-5SRopUI?si=RdYfGWDnhwLd31g5 -
2022 yearLiberation of the Saltiv Community
On April 30, 2022, the right-bank part of the Saltiv community was liberated, including the towns of Old Saltiv, Molodova, and Shestakovo.
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Soon after, the occupiers were pushed back to Rubizhne and Upper Saltiv, as they were retreating and offered little resistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, from May 1 to May 3, fierce battles resumed. The Russian-fascist invaders, stationed on the left bank, relentlessly shelled Old Saltiv. About 80% of the village’s buildings were destroyed, and the gas, electricity, and water supply systems were ruined. (See the page "Destructive Consequences of the Russian Aggression")
On September 11, 2022, the Ukrainian Armed Forces reached the state border line. The Saltiv community was completely liberated from the occupiers, and people began to return from evacuation sites.
Part of our team also returned to the village. In the House of Culture, and later in one of the surviving stores, we set up a humanitarian hub – the Saltiv Volunteer Center (see the page Projects - Volunteer Center).
At that time, our efforts were focused on identifying the needs of residents and finding resources to provide the necessary means of existence.
And, of course, we awaited, believed in, and strived for VICTORY! -
2022 yearDestructive Consequences of Russian Aggression
On May 1, Old Saltiv was completely liberated by the Ukrainian army, but half of our community still remained on the left side of the reservoir under the control of the occupiers.
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Russian artillery had entrenched itself on the reservoir’s bank, directly opposite Old Saltiv, and for 4 months relentlessly and brutally destroyed the village. Everything we had built and lived for – housing, infrastructure, gardens and fields, cemeteries, the church – there was no place that the Russians did not target. The frontline now ran right through us. But there were more chances to get to the city alive, and people were fleeing in large numbers.
Of the more than 4,000 residents at the time, only about 40 people remained in the village. Most refugees did not travel far – they sought shelter in Kharkiv, hoping to return home as soon as possible. During this time, we focused on helping people who fled under fire, who had left – or in some cases completely lost – all their property. We wrote, asked, searched, found, delivered to Kharkiv, and sent food, hygiene products and diapers, clothing, and blankets to Saltiv residents.
We were not the only ones working. A team of brave Saltiv residents evacuated people from Saltiv and delivered drinking water, food, chargers, and fuel under fire. Other Saltiv residents did not form teams but worked individually for neighbors, relatives, and some joined Kharkiv volunteer teams.
Four months of systematic destruction of the village by the Russians… We withstood. And this is the merit EXCLUSIVELY of ordinary residents. We received no assistance from the authorities at that time. Because there were no authorities.
In September, the Ukrainian army pushed the invaders back to their borders. As soon as the explosions ceased in the village, people began to return en masse to their destroyed homes and try to preserve from rain, wind, and snow what the Russian army had not destroyed.
Now, the focus for volunteers, activists, and our public organization is on restoring the village and helping people here, in Saltiv and other villages of the community. Unfortunately, so far, the talk has been only about repairing buildings that can be fixed. People whose homes and property have been completely destroyed currently have no assistance.
We are seeking help everywhere! New caring individuals and organizations are joining the restoration. But Russia does not calm down, and new cities and villages are being destroyed, people are dying, infrastructure is being destroyed. And they too need help!
We understand this because we are in the same state. So we call on everyone who reads this. Do not be indifferent! Help as you can. None of us expected, invited, or wanted war. So help stop it while it hasn’t gone further and restore our Ukraine, our picturesque Old Saltiv.
And no matter what anyone says,
evil will perish, and truth will triumph!
— Lina Kostenko,
Ukrainian poetess.
