CULTURAL PRACTICES AND NEEDS FOR POPULATION RECOVERY IN DEOCCUPIED AND FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES
Sociological research “Cultural practices and needs for population recovery in deoccupied and frontline communities” is supported by the Ukraine Confidence Building Initiative (UCBI), implemented with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukrainian territories has not only changed the physical landscape of Ukrainian regions, but has also led to rapid changes in their social structure and socio-psychological dynamics of certain communities and their members.
Without exception, all respondents in the study confirm that the war has altered perception of their own culture and themselves. It has strengthened the sense of the culture significance as something that shapes and sustains the nation in the struggle for its sovereignty.
The study focuses on understanding of how these changes have occurred, the problems they have manifested in communities near the frontlines, how communities experience access or lack of access to cultural services, and what cultural needs they have. Frontline, border, and liberated territories are examined in the research in terms of the state of culture.
The fundamental questions of the research were:
- Evaluation of the population's satisfaction with the current (or pre-war) state, diversity, and quality of cultural services and infrastructure
- Studying the opinions of various target audiences regarding their vision of the desired ideal state of the cultural sphere (cultural services, cultural infrastructure, cultural service providers, public engagement, etc.)
- Exploring the opinions of different target audiences regarding the role and significance of culture in Ukraine's resistance to Russian aggression, and respondents’ self-assessment of changes in their own identity since the onset of the full-scale invasion
- Investigating the opinions of various target audiences regarding the place and tasks of culture in post-conflict recovery
LEISURE PRACTICES
The primary forms of leisure activities among respondents in the surveyed regions of Ukraine include meeting friends (56%), watching TV at home (56%), and browsing content on social media (52%). Approximately 40% engage in listening to music and reading books, while 25% pursue creative activities/hobbies and another 25% participate in sports. Additionally, 16% enjoy hiking, 15% visit cinemas, and an equal percentage attend church. Board games attract 13% of respondents, and 11% are involved in community work or volunteering. Only 9% opt for cultural experiences by visiting theatres and museums, while 7% explore zoos and attractions. Moreover, 6% attend concerts, 6% go on guided tours, and 2% participate in festivals. Lastly, 2% engage in gambling activities.
Individuals of various age groups are expected to have different leisure practices. Younger respondents (18-35 years old) have a higher tendency to meet with friends, browse social media content, and listen to music, engage in creative activities, participate in sports, watch movies in cinemas, and play both board and gambling games. On the other hand, the older participants (51 and above) more frequently watch TV at home, read books, and attend church. Variations are also observed among respondents residing in different types of settlements. For instance, residents of regional centres are more inclined to spend time with friends, listen to music, read books, participate in sports and various hobbies, visit cinemas, museums, and zoos.
Among the content consumed by respondents on social media, news (articles and videos) prevail at 75%, followed by movies and TV series at 64%, online music at 57%, and feeds with photos and videos at 56%. Nearly half of those consuming information from social media engage with educational or informative content, including documentary narratives (46-48%). Around 40% of these respondents watch comedic shows or conversational interviews with notable individuals or bloggers. Approximately a quarter watch stand-up comedy or comedian performances, entertainment shows, or reality TV.
Among consumers of television content, films and TV series are the dominant products with a consumption rate of 72%, followed by news at 66%. 40% of the audience views documentary narratives, while 35% enjoy comedic shows. The average consumption rate for educational and informative content is 33%, while the average consumption rate for conversational interviews with notable individuals is 32%, and entertainment and reality shows is 23%.
Movies and concerts, as well as festivals, are the most interesting cultural events for respondents, each capturing the interest of 45%. Engaging with like-minded individuals and interest-based clubs are intriguing for 36% of those surveyed, while gyms and dance studios attract 32%. The interest level for theatres is 31%, exhibitions 30%, organized tours 27%, creative clubs 23%, and meetings with famous figures 21%.
The level of interest in cultural events shows age-related dependencies. For the younger audience, movies, gyms, dance studios, creative clubs, and meetings with renowned cultural figures are more captivating. Among the older population, engaging with like-minded individuals or interest-based clubs is a more interesting cultural pastime. Regarding the type of settlement, particularly in large cities, there is a higher level of interest in all types of cultural events. Conversely, in rural areas and small towns, a higher level of interest is observed primarily in concerts and festivals, as well as creative clubs.
The main motivations influencing the decision to attend cultural events include personal interest in the theme or format of the event (41%), territorial accessibility (38%), and affordable prices (37%). The presence of company or acquaintances is also a significant factor (31%). Other factors such as the lineup of artists (14%), the charitable purpose of the event, and the need for family recreation are less significant (14% each). Advertisements on social media and in the media have minimal impact on the decision to attend cultural events.
For the younger generation, more significant factors influencing the decision to attend a cultural event include personal interest, the presence of acquaintances, and advertisements on social media or in the media. For individuals in the middle age group (36-50 years), the need for organizing family recreation becomes a notable factor. Meanwhile, factors such as territorial accessibility, price, the lineup of artists or performers, and the charitable purpose of the event are equally significant for decision-making regarding cultural event attendance across all age categories.
City residents more frequently make the decision to attend a cultural event based on their personal interest in the event's theme or the lineup of performers. Conversely, residents of rural areas and small towns more often take note of the charitable purpose of the cultural event.
ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
In all regions except for Kherson, more than half of the respondents stated that their locality has enough or sufficient cultural institutions, such as libraries, clubs, museums, and art studios. However, in these regions, at least a third mentioned that such institutions are insufficient. Discussions about insufficiency were more prevalent in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia, and Chernihiv regions. In Kherson, only a quarter stated that there are enough cultural institutions, while more than 70% highlighted their inadequacy.
Residents of regional centres users of libraries or cultural centres, as well as older respondents (51 years and older) often spoke about the sufficiency of cultural institutions. The best situation with the work of libraries in settlements is in the Chernihiv, Sumy and Mykolaiv regions, where more than 75% of respondents noted that these cultural institutions work in their settlements. The worst situation is in Kherson (21%) and Kharkiv (48%) regions. In other regions, almost 60% indicated that libraries are working today.
Overall, only about 10% of surveyed respondents who are aware of the operation of libraries mentioned that they visit them once a month or more frequently. Approximately 15% of these respondents stated that they visit libraries once a quarter or semi-annually. At the same time, about two-thirds of the respondents do not visit these cultural institutions. In the Kherson region, the question about the frequency of library visits was not analysed due to an insufficient number of respondents.
The situation regarding the operation of clubs in populated areas is the most favourable in Chernihiv and Sumy regions, where over 75% of respondents indicated that these cultural institutions are operating in their localities. The worst situation is in Kherson (12%) and Kharkiv (41%) regions. In other regions, approximately 60% mentioned that clubs are currently operating.
Approximately 14% to 20% of surveyed respondents who are knowledgeable about clubs stated that they visit them once a month or more frequently. From 20% to 30% of respondents stated that they visit clubs once a quarter or semi-annually. At the same time, approximately 30% to 40% of respondents do not visit these cultural institutions. The highest percentage of non-visitors is in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions. In the Kherson region, the question about the frequency of visiting cultural centres was not analysed due to an insufficient number of respondents.
Assessing the work of libraries according to several criteria, their visitors relatively better appreciated the work of employees of these cultural institutions. Also, the list of services and events, as well as the condition of the premises and the material equipment of the libraries, received high marks. The highest evaluations of library performance across different criteria were recorded among respondents in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions. Among library visitors in Chernihiv and Sumy regions, relatively more undefined ratings were noted regarding the assessment of the performance of these cultural institutions.
Assessing the work of clubs according to several criteria, their visitors relatively better appreciated the work of employees of these cultural institutions. Also, the list of services and events, as well as the condition of the premises and material equipment, received high marks. However, the estimates are not as good as the estimates for library work on the condition of the premises and the list of services and events. The best estimates of club employees were recorded among the respondents of Kharkiv and Sumy regions. According to the criterion, the condition of the premises is relatively the best estimates among the respondents of the Kharkov and Odessa regions. By material equipment - in Kharkov, Odessa and Zaporizhzhya regions. According to the list of services and activities − in Kharkiv, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk and Odessa regions.
In the Kherson region, evaluation of satisfaction with cultural centers was not conducted due to the insufficient number of respondents who visit them.
More than 70% do not support the idea of closing cultural institutions (clubs, libraries) in sparsely populated areas if they do not cope with their functions. 22% support this initiative.
In regional distribution, no significant differences are observed in the attitude towards the initiative, as less than 70% of respondents in all regions do not support the idea (Table 2.2.1 – in the Annexes). In terms of age groups, a slightly higher level of support (up to 27%) for optimizing cultural institutions is observed among the younger audience (18-35 years). However, even among the youth, 70% do not support such an initiative. There are also no differences in the attitude towards this idea among those who visit or do not visit libraries. However, among those who do not visit clubs, there is a slightly higher level of support for closing cultural institutions (27%) compared to those who use the services of these institutions (18%).
Despite the majority not supporting the closure of cultural institutions in sparsely populated areas, an overwhelming majority (78%) believe that restoring/rebuilding destroyed cultural institutions should only be done after the end of the war. Currently, only 17% support the immediate restoration of such institutions. Interestingly, the lowest level of support for the immediate restoration of cultural institutions is observed in the Kherson region. Among age groups and residents of urban and rural areas, no significant differences are observed in the attitude towards the necessity of restoring destroyed cultural institutions: the absolute majority in all groups support rebuilding only after the end of the war.
ASSESSMENT OF LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES
Assessing the possibilities of leisure in their areas as a whole, relatively better estimates were given to children and adolescents, the worst - to demobilized soldiers and veterans, as well as people with disabilities. With respect to the latter categories, respondents most often could not assess the level of leisure opportunities for these categories. In a regional breakdown, relatively better assessments of leisure opportunities for all age groups of the population are recorded in the Odesa region, while the worst assessments are in the Kherson region.
Concerning better assessments of leisure opportunities for all categories, they are observed among residents of regional centres, the younger population, and the more affluent.
ASSESSMENT OF THE FUNDING OF THE SPHERE OF CULTURE
The vast majority of respondents believe that the sphere of culture in their community is not sufficiently funded. Also, a significant part of the respondents (from 20% to 36% in different areas) could not answer this question at all. About a sufficient level of funding said from 19% to 26% of respondents. Relatively better assessed the state of financing in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions.
The funding situation in the cultural sphere in rural areas is better assessed, although here, the highest percentage of those who could not answer the question is also observed. Additionally, relatively better assessments were provided by young respondents (18-35 years old) and those who use the services of libraries or clubs.
Opinions regarding the necessity of allocating funds for cultural events during the war have divided the surveyed audience. Fifty percent support such initiatives, 44% do not, and 6% could not provide an answer.
A slightly higher level of support for the idea of allocating funds for cultural events during the war is recorded in Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, while the lowest level of support is in the Kherson region.
Regarding the higher level of support for allocating funds for cultural events during the war, it is also noted among the younger age group (18-35 years) and those who use the services of cultural institutions such as libraries and clubs.
The absolute majority believe that local authorities should finance cultural events in their communities (over 70%). Central government, businesses, charitable foundations, international organizations, and public organizations and funds are considered responsible by 19% to 29% of respondents. Ordinary citizens are seen as responsible by 8%.
Similar opinions are expressed regarding the funding of cultural institutions in communities. The majority (72%) believe that local authorities should be responsible for this. However, unlike organizing events, respondents also expect more attention to the cultural sphere from the central government (40%). Businesses, charitable foundations, international organizations, public organizations, and funds are considered responsible by 19% to 24% of respondents, while ordinary citizens are seen as responsible by 8%.
A relatively higher level of expectations regarding the financing of cultural institutions by the central authorities is observed in Odessa, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhya regions. There are also relatively higher expectations for state funding among young people and users of cultural institutions.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The top three sources of information on cultural life in communities are close friends and acquaintances (51%), Telegram channels (44%), and Facebook posts (39%). Information from websites is obtained by 27%, from Instagram – 23%, local television – 16%, local press – 7%, and radio – 5%.
Information about the cultural life of the community is relatively more frequently obtained from close friends and acquaintances in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions, from Telegram channels in the Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, and from Facebook in the Sumy region.
News about cultural life is more often learned from close friends and acquaintances and Facebook posts in small towns and villages than in regional centres. Internet sites, Telegram channels, and Instagram posts are more common sources of information in regional centres.
For older individuals, sources of news are more likely to be close friends, acquaintances, television, radio, or the press, while for younger audiences, internet sources and Telegram channels are more prevalent.
IDENTITY
Among the residents of the surveyed regions, regional identity dominates in the first place. Additionally, very high indicators of Ukrainian civic identity are noted among the respondents.
As for the sense of European identity, the assessments are moderate. A relatively higher level of European identity is observed in Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions, while the lowest is in Odesa and Kharkiv regions.
A sense of Soviet identity is recorded in a small number of respondents, somewhat more often among the older population and those with Russian as their language of communication. Somewhat more often about the Soviet identity corresponded in the Odesa and Zaporizhzhya regions, less often - in Sumy.
RESULTS OF THE QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PHASE
- Closeness to the borders with Russia or the frontline, systematic shelling since the beginning of the full-scale war, the experience of occupation and de-occupation have made safety the main factor defining life in all eight regions researched. War and its consequences have resulted in a tangible social isolation and disconnection of people in the studied communities. Isolation increases both within communities and as a process of isolating individual communities from each other, as well as from other regions of Ukraine. Respondents not only interact and communicate less within their communities, but they also travel less within Ukraine, visit big cities and major cultural centres less frequently. Leaving the place of residence is hindered by anxiety and fear. The most common regret expressed by respondents is the loss of travel opportunities. The exodus of individuals from frontline and border communities only heightens the processes of social isolation and depopulation. People in most regions, except for Odesa, spend their time within their homes and yards, with their families or cohabitants, because it is considered safe. Long walks, visits to the familiar sea, and walks in the familiar forest have become unavailable to people due to the war. Shelling and air raids have made people's stay outside the home functional but brief. In all regions studied, shelters are scarce in public spaces and cultural institutions, particularly in villages. People steer clear of unnecessary trips, and children are not permitted to leave without a reason. Cultural services in regions that are mainly under systematic shelling in small settlements, towns, and villages are predominantly provided online, hindering socialization.
- The inability to conduct offline education, the lack of shelters, and the abovementioned risks have disrupted the normal process of socializing children, teenagers, and, to some extent, young adults. The majority of their time is spent with parents and relatives rather than interacting with peers, primarily through digital devices rather than face-to-face communication. According to respondents, online schooling decreases the likelihood of children participating in both online and offline cultural events. Online activities following virtual classes exhaust and burden children and teenagers. Attendance of in-person events is hindered by shelling, the unstable schedule of school activities, and the general risks associated with leaving home.
- The constant sense of danger, shelling, destruction and death all around lead to a shift in the perception of one’s lifetime by the residents in the researched communities - every day is seen as if it were the last, heightening the subjective value of time. Hence, the majority of respondents believe it is right to spend this precious time with their families. Attending cultural events and activities is diminished by the increasing anxiety and relatively high level of daily stress reported by respondents. Systemic stress affects attention span and the ability to derive satisfaction from complex cultural products such as reading books or attending performances. For some respondents, attending entertaining and cultural events may be accompanied by a feeling of guilt for experiencing joy, leading to self-restraint. Another factor reducing respondents' inclination to allocate time for cultural events is the impact of new economic and social realities. According to respondents, especially those aged 24 and older, increased work commitments result in greater fatigue, leaving them with less spare time for cultural leisure activities.
- All participants acknowledge that their cultural needs have undergone significant transformations during the time of the full-scale war. The negative outset of these transformations was influenced by the pre-war experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents nostalgically recall times when communities practiced mass cultural events, allowing individuals to feel a sense of belonging, experience social support and cohesion, various social connections, and relationships. Social isolation has generated a strong demand for direct in-person interactions, the sense of the community's social body (through mass events), exchanging thoughts, shared emotional experiences. However, these experiences are currently unattainable due to safety restrictions. In the majority of the studied communities, any large-scale events are currently prohibited. Live meetings with familiar individuals, evening gatherings, communal spaces where one can meet peers and engage in conversations are the primary needs that respondents seek to fulfil in cultural establishments.
- In the surveyed regions, there are cultural establishments such as cultural centres, music schools, museums, libraries, leisure centres, theatres, cinemas, sports sections, and leisure clubs. All of them are in different condition, ranging from nearly completely destroyed and looted by occupiers in the communities of Kherson and Snihurivka to functioning with varying degrees of success and damage caused by both enemy actions and lack of repairs. Almost all cultural institutions lack equipped shelters (except for cultural establishments in the Odesa region, where this situation appears to be better) which is why they usually operate fully or partially online.
- Cultural institutions in the surveyed communities offer a rather limited range of services, including clubs, books, concerts, and performances (usually online). Offline events in these communities are relatively infrequent, typically occurring in the warm season and exclusively outdoors for safety reasons. In some areas, there are restrictions on gatherings (not exceeding 50 people for one event), while in others, such events are not held at all (Kherson region, Sumy region). Typical offline events include fairs, charity concerts, children's festivals, and national memorial days, all oriented towards patriotism. Often, these events raise funds for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which is a significant reason for respondents to attend. According to respondents in most communities, volunteering and support for the Armed Forces have partially replaced cultural activities in cultural establishments. Workers of cultural institutions, along with attendees, engage in activities such as weaving camouflage nets, preparing trench candles, and fundraising.
- Among all age groups, the group of children and adolescents remains the most provided with opportunities for self-realization. In almost every community, depending on the security situation, they can attend online or offline clubs, music schools, seasonal and state holidays organized in shelters or under the open sky. Often, the leisure activities for children are facilitated by the efforts of international funds and organizations (the Red Cross, UNICEF). Despite the limited number of events, they still do not ensure proper development and socialization of children. More activities, such as psychological training and skill-building workshops for children and adolescents, engaging activities, and sports sections are sought by parent respondents. Sports facilities and stadiums are almost absent or not in working condition in the surveyed communities, and the demand for them is quite noticeable. Parents are willing to pay for quality leisure activities for their children within their means. The development of children is a higher priority for parent respondents than their own.
Individuals aged 16-24 face a scarcity of options for enriching cultural activities within their localities. The majority of these respondents used to fulfil their cultural desires in regional hubs prior to the onset of the war, and some continue to do so, especially if they are studying there. However, for those who remained in their communities, visiting regional centres (Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Mykolaiv, or Zaporizhzhia) currently appears dngerous due to the increased risk of missile attacks in large cities. As a result, these respondents are forcibly isolated in their small communities, where their peers often move abroad or to other regions. This situation compels them to build new social connections, which is challenging because there are very few public spaces in communities where young people can spend time. The primary cultural needs of respondents in this age group are to distract and relax, temporarily forgetting about the war. Festivals, concerts, comedy shows, stand-up performances, meetings with famous people, and sports events are what they dream of. Educational events such as workshops, psychological training, and theatre are also relevant to them. Some with a proactive stance join the volunteer movement. Young respondents consider the state of culture in their communities unsatisfactory and outdated. They feel a lack of interesting leisure ideas and modern equipment for their implementation within the communities. In certain communities, local cultural institutions, often with the assistance of Youth Councils, rescue this group of respondents through gatherings and evening events. Adult respondents aged 25-40 constitute the most occupied category in the survey. Their cultural needs are usually influenced by the needs of their children. In these communities, there were relatively few cultural services for them even before the war. They dream of the restoration of fairs, City and Village Days, opportunities for offline meetings with interesting people, beneficial workshops, and psychological training. They desire the chance to attend theatres, cinemas, or concerts featuring Ukrainian pop stars, and they are willing to pay for these services. This age group of respondents is more interested in contemporary Ukrainian cultural content that allows them to learn more about Ukraine, its history and present (documentary films, shows, Dmitry Komarov's series), as well as modern Ukrainian and international pop music, and contemporary Ukrainian and foreign films. Cultural self-realization for individuals aged 41 and above is typically represented by local choirs, women's interest clubs, and is often shifted toward those aged 60 and above in terms of themes and formats. This group is most interested in receiving cultural services within their community and actively consumes online content produced by community cultural institutions. However, the majority of their leisure activities still take place traditionally at home. Like other respondents, they would appreciate concerts, festivals, and performances by Ukrainian cultural figures and groups but are compelled to consume digital content. This age group is the most active library-goers and, by demand, the most patriotic consumers of cultural content. They often consider entertaining content to be not the most important at the moment. - All study participants, including cultural service providers, consider the state of cultural institutions in communities generally unsatisfactory. Cultural institutions lack repairs, shelter facilities, and transportation for bringing people from remote villages. There is a general lack of funding and modern equipment for cultural institutions, as well as the modernization of library collections (only some communities can afford to update them, but have already forcibly removed Russian and soviet literature). The second significant problem is the shortage of modern and young professionals in the cultural system. Some communities form Youth Councils to invigorate the exchange of ideas, but generally, low salaries, small communities, and depopulation makes the personnel issue difficult to address. According to respondents, internally displaced persons can partially address it. Some communities had individuals who were internally displaced from large cities, but they were proactive and organized interesting clubs. However, retaining them in communities proved challenging. For most respondents, quality cultural services are those delivered not formally but from the heart, provided by qualified cultural workers, leaving behind valuable knowledge or a pleasant experience.
- Most communities are aware of cultural grant support and make efforts to apply for grants, with some communities having successful cases of obtaining and utilizing grants. Respondents, cultural figures, and cultural managers believe that culture in communities should be funded not only by local but also by state authorities. They emphasize the need to increase salaries for cultural workers, as respondents perceive this work as prestigious in spirit but significantly undervalued and demotivating.
Respondents also see cultural funding as a result of collective efforts from various stakeholders: local and state authorities, patrons, consumers willing to pay for cultural services, international funds, and donors. They recognize the importance and necessity of systemic communication and collaborative solutions among all these stakeholders at the community level. During the war, local businesses are less involved in financing culture and supporting cultural events, as their activities are more focused on assisting the army, diverting significant resources. Business respondents (except the Odesa region) have a lukewarm response to the idea of receiving grants themselves and developing culture in communities. Being a situational sponsor of children's and charity events is a more understandable concept for them. - Funding for culture is often perceived by respondents as competing with funding for the Armed Forces. Therefore, while recognizing the significant role of culture during the war, they constantly ponder how to finance culture when funds are needed for the frontline. Often, from their perspective, this question lacks a good solution. Some respondents believe that culture should be financed minimally, enough to support the salaries of cultural workers and organize only modest local events rather than expensive ones. The needs of the frontline should be the government's priority. Only a small part of the respondents emphasizes the necessity of substantial funding for culture, even in a situation with ongoing frontline needs.
- According to respondents, achieving sustainability in cultural events and increasing their attendance can be facilitated by the establishment of security. As long as security is lacking, all solutions may only be of a situational nature, such as providing shelter, updating personnel, engaging in dialogues with the community regarding its interests and needs, improving event funding and modernizing them, expressing gratitude practices towards cultural workers, and increasing their salaries. Some respondents also mentioned the development of a cultural activity strategy at the community level and a systemic reform of the cultural sector, which should be addressed by the state.
- All respondents emphasize the integrative and unifying role of culture during the war. In their opinion, Ukrainian culture is the primary target of aggression by the occupier in this war. By destroying culture, the aggressor seeks to eradicate Ukrainian identity. Communities that have experienced occupation know this first-hand. For almost all respondents, culture during the war has become something that effectively draws a line between "ours" and "others," underscores the right of Ukrainians to sovereignty, and is a crucial foundation of identity. Interest and demand for Ukrainian culture have increased in all communities and among all age groups. Respondents perceive Ukrainian culture as something that "comes out of the shadows", was hidden, suppressed initially by Soviet Union and then Russian domination, and contains many mysteries. For older respondents, it is also evidence that everything was not as they thought and believed, so their interest in uncovering and exploring Ukrainian culture is quite high.
Many respondents "discovered" Ukrainian culture, both ancient and contemporary, precisely during the war or somewhat earlier. Importantly, there was an increase in Ukrainian cultural content in the media and on internet resources several years before the war. It was during this time that respondents began consuming it, and later they started actively seeking it out, with the war accelerating these processes, as well as the processes of rejecting Russian cultural content. All respondents in the study state that they have abandoned the consumption of Russian cultural content. This decision was made by both young and mature respondents and became a pivotal moment in changing their cultural preferences. They not only do not want but also cannot consume Russian content, which now seems aggressive and threatening to them, potentially carrying propaganda. Some of them have not only given up Russian culture but also try to speak Ukrainian in public places, during participating in the study. Culture also serves as one of the tools of resistance for respondents. They speak of a resistance that is united around Ukrainian culture. In addition, they highlight pragmatic aspects of culture, such as the tours of Ukrainian cultural figures, which promote fundraising for the army. Along with the growing interest in Ukrainian culture, respondents' curiosity about Ukrainian history and the communities’ local history has increased. Many respondents stated that it was the war that awakened their interest in the history of their community, its name, and the monuments located in its territory. Many respondents find the territories where they live interesting, and they consider the local history undiscovered. They also express interest in the history of other regions of Ukraine. Content dedicated to the customs and landmarks of other regions evokes lively interest.
Culture itself does not provide respondents with a sense of security. However, working in communities near the frontlines and borders, cultural institutions contribute to a sense of normalcy in daily life. They help people feel as if they are living in pre-war times, understanding that not everyone has forgotten about them - especially when someone from outside the community comes with meetings, training sessions, and more. It reinforces the idea that the rest of Ukraine cares about them. Therefore, preserving cultural centres, even if they are located close to the frontlines, is crucial. Culture and cultural events help respondents relax, take a break from the constant sense of threat, and alleviate psychological tension. Respondents emphasized the stabilizing functions of culture, considering them extremely important.
Similarly, respondents are negative towards the closure of cultural institutions in sparsely populated areas. They suggest reorganizing, renovating, making personnel changes, but not closing cultural institutions. In their view, the closure of such institutions is associated with the rapid decline of the village. - Occupation, de-occupation, and living under shelling have significantly influenced the identity of the respondents. Before the start of the full-scale war, identity was not a question they had to answer, and they did not contemplate it. However, occupation and war sharply raised the question of civic identification. Some respondents answered it by identifying themselves as Ukrainians, even as "strong Ukrainians," while others remain in a state of searching for an answer because avoiding this question is no longer possible. Typically, the latter group includes people with many relatives in Russia who still consider the Russian people as brothers but, at the same time, as those who betrayed brotherhood. There are also those who, according to the respondents, identified themselves not as Ukrainians, whom the communities cautiously refer to as "traitors", "those with a different point of view", or "those who hide". The latter are a serious subject of silence; respondents talk about them very reluctantly. They are aware that discussing this openly can lead to divisions within the communities. The proximity of the border with Russia and the front is perceived by respondents as a threat to the Ukrainian identity. They are aware of those who still watch Russian satellite television and read Russian Telegram channels in their communities. The older respondents note that the war has become a turning point for communities, and those who feel themselves as Ukrainians "woke up and realized" it. However, those who did not feel it are unlikely to have a future in the community: "Many residents' minds have returned", because no one believed in the war, and now no one will forgive its losses. The way how respondents describe their experience of identity, citing its features, can be argued that Ukrainian identity is forming as an open-access civic identity rather than a closed traditional ethno-cultural identity. More often, respondents speak about Ukrainian identity in terms of a conscious choice of identity rather than the birth, strength, and freedom to be Ukrainian. This identity is complex because, along with Ukrainian identity, each community experiences a strong local identity sharpened by the war and the specific experience of survival in each community. Respondents are simultaneously representatives of their communities and Ukrainians, united by a common identity. Ukrainian culture provides gravity to the Ukrainian identity of the respondents. It allows them to understand it as ancient, rich, with traditions, emotionally engage in resisting attempts to destroy their own identity, something that the Ukrainian people have been doing for a long time. Ukrainian identity is visible beyond Ukraine thanks to Ukrainian culture. Respondents experience a sense of pride that the whole world now knows Ukraine and Ukrainians as brave people.
- The change in identity helps respondents critically assess the cultural heritage remaining in their communities. Most respondents oppose the restoration of Soviet monuments in their communities. They make exceptions only for monuments related to World War II, as the memory of it is not tainted by Russian propaganda. There is also a noticeable portion of respondents who believe that, regardless of history, it is their history, and therefore, it is not necessary to dismantle monuments that do not carry direct ideological burdens. Some respondents support the dismantling of all Soviet monuments and their relocation to museums. Respondents acknowledge that cultural institutions in their communities need restoration but consider it a lower priority. They believe that critical infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and housing should be restored first. Respondents agree that the development of culture in their communities should focus on the search for and restoration of cultural and historical landmarks. They find these landmarks interesting and often see tourist potential in them. Respondents support the creation of cultural products that depict life in their communities during the war. They are most interested in reflecting the bravery and resistance of their communities, the actions, and heroism of individuals in cultural products.
Quantitative part of the study:
Audience: residents of Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions aged 18 and older. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender and type of settlement. Sample population: a total of 3,200 respondents (400 respondents for each area). Survey method: personal formalized interview (face-to-face). Statistical sampling error (with a confidence probability of 0.95): no more than 4.9% for each of the areas.
Dates: November 17 - December 4, 2023
The qualitative part of the study:
Audience: residents of Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhya, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions aged 18 and older. In total, 312 respondents took part in the qualitative phase of the study. 120 in-depth interviews were conducted (15 in-depth interviews among 5 categories of respondents in each of the studied areas) and 24 focus group discussions (3 focus groups among the local population in each of the studied areas).
Dates: November 21 - December 3, 2023
