For me personally, the bicycle is very important, because I use it often multible times during the day. I use my bike to go to training sessions, for grocery shopping, and to visit friends. Cycling gives me independence, keeps me fit, and allows me to enjoy the outdoors. It’s a practical, eco-friendly choice that fits perfectly into the German lifestyle and my own values.

I feel that this is my way to communicate with God and connect to Him, and I’m so grateful that my friends bought me this meaningful and beautiful gift.

Soccer is the most popular sport here is Israel, and I enjoy watching soccer and sports in general, especially The World Cup, the summer Olympics, and American football. So, that is why I chose to share this item.

For me personally, putting on tefillin each morning gives me strength, focus, and a sense of spiritual protection. It connects me both to my Jewish heritage and to my personal faith, even through challenging times. It’s something I wear proudly, showing both my collective identity and personal commitment to my faith.

How does this relate to me, you might ask? One of my passions is makeup, and when it came time to take graduation photos in a national style, I wondered: could ornaments be a form of an antique permanent makeup? So I decided to combine them! I chose the “stars” pattern.

You can give your ornament almost any meaning – from your name to your family history. The “stars” motif is one of the most popular, it serves as a talisman against evil and negativity, offering protection from illness and despair.

I would love to share more about my culture through every form of art I know!

In Moroccan Jewish culture, the combination of the red string and the Hamsa symbolizes protection against the evil eye and brings good energy and luck.

It’s something that many people wear to feel spiritually protected and connected to their roots.

For me, it represents my Moroccan-Jewish background and the strong values of faith and family that I grew up with.

Wearing it every day reminds me of where I come from and gives me a sense of strength and comfort, especially during busy or stressful times in my studies.

In Israeli culture, family is very important we grow up surrounded by strong connections, traditions, and warmth.

When I wear these earrings, I feel close to my family and also feel a sense of responsibility to take care of the earrings, to keep this small tradition alive, and one day to pass them on too.

What's special about Kriviy Rih besides the fact that no other place could capture my heart like the beloved South? Well:

1. It's 146 km long making it the longest city in Europe. At least I think so. The length varies depending on which local you ask. Those that are the official numbers.

2. We have metrotram! It goes underground like a regular subway, but it has a tram cabin and a partially overground route. But then it goes underground again. The official name of this transport is "The Speed Tram". Colloquially, it's known as "skarik".

3. We have the biggest flower clock in Europe.

4. The current president hails from our city, not that it matters much. Also, his comedy show and company is named after a place here called the 95th square.

So, why have I decided to show you just the train? First of all, because it’s not just a train. For me it’s a symbol of resilience, change for the better and new life. It’s specifically called «Ukrzaliznytsia».

I have three favorite days in the year and all these days are partly spent on the train: days when I go back to my home, to my family. It’s not about iron and engine - it’s about value and memories.

Every day hundreds of different people with different reasons and intentions come to the station platform to greet their dearest friends and relatives or say goodbye to them. When I started studying in Chernivtsi - the train became for me not only a means of transport that could bring me home or to any other place in my country. I started thinking about it as falling back to the ground where I learned to walk and to people who taught me how to do it.  It’s about the familiar faces of your parents greeting you and the familiar landscapes that begin to appear as soon as you cross a specific border.

I’m so grateful that I have such an association because in February 2022, tens of thousands of people were escaping from their towns because of the war, because their houses were destroyed and their homes were neglected. They didn’t have the certainty about the future, but they had hope that the train would bring them to their new lives.

It’s not vyshyvanka, borshch or other usual things which you can associate with Ukraine. It’s just trains that hide much more than rails and wheels.

(approximate translation of the words from the song:

I lose myself in your deep gaze,

My sweetest train of endless ways.)

In Israeli culture, food is a major element of daily life. Meals bring people together, mark celebrations, and create a sense of community. Everything happens in the kitchen: my son does his homework on the counter, conversations and important decision making, hosting, and moments of connection.

Today, in my own home, the kitchen has the same meaning. It’s where my family naturally gathers, where we cook as a family, and where I continue the traditions I grew up with. For me, the kitchen represents warmth, belonging, and the connection between generations.

Sometimes all you need is the familiar smell of something cooking to make everything feel right again

In the morning to set positive intentions, and at night to reflect on the day. Journaling helps me structure my thoughts, process emotions, and gain clarity in moments of confusion or stress. It is a safe space where I can express myself honestly and reconnect with my values and goals. Beyond being a personal habit, it represents a cultural practice of mindfulness and self-awareness in a fast-paced world. Through writing, I not only document my experiences but also shape the way I understand myself and the world around me.

Additionally, let's take a deep dive into the history of subcultures in Ukraine. In that case, we will see how dangerous it was to be someone different back in the day (not only for political views, but for the simple desire to listen to the Beatles, for example), so yeah, if you wanted to be an alternative, you had to understand that your actions were “illegal”. The idea of being different and artistic is something that has stuck with Ukraine from the moment of its founding, I may say, and I love that, no matter what, we are still trying to fight for our right to be different. Another notable aspect of this magazine is that it is the first underground journal in the Ukrainian language. The journal began to be published in 2006, and Ukraine gained independence in 1991, so it took 15 years for underground publishers to start using our language. It's funny, isn’t it? However, it's actually quite sad because this magazine didn’t last long, and russian-language magazines replaced it. So, the language problem was always with us. I may say that the 90s and 00s were the peak moment, when many individuals started using the Ukrainian language in music, art, books, and so on, but closer to the end of the 00s, the language of our neighbours became more profitable, therefore many artists switched back to it :( Yet, many people sang and wrote in Ukrainian, regardless of the circumstances. I can thank them for their dedication. 

So, what I wanted to say by that? I guess that we, Ukrainians, have a lot of similarities to the underground community, and that’s amazing, because that makes us special (no secret, Ukrainians are super artistic people, hehe), and that’s one of the reasons why I am attached to it, it reminds me of who I am and that I am part of something bigger. 

For me, these songs are personal because my great-grandfather taught me many of them. I remember how he was just sitting and remembering his youth, when I was just a child.

And then there’s "Malanka": the tradition where kids dress in costumes and go around the town singing, joking, wishing people luck. I only joined once, but it felt awesome. Snow everywhere, old songs, everyone laughing and slightly freezing❄️

I don’t have any photos or videos from my gallery, unfortunately, but this edit captures the feeling and traditions I’m describing

Video by @fas_s7 on TikTok

That’s how I feel about Ukrainian art of animation, specifically the episode of iconic “The Kozaky” cartoon series.

I consider this art piece a pretty significant Cultural Artefact and it very much is. Such old cartoons as this one which were created when Ukraine was a part of Soviet Union were the way of making Ukrainian culture visible and contrasting to the russian invaders with their coercive policies of communism. I believe that art is one of the greatest tools to save and spread your culture.

This cartoon is old enough, but when I was a child it was still shown on TV, usually at night (so you can understand why I had some shivers going down my spine). This episode was definitely carved deep into my head the same as for other Ukrainian children. These series in general is something that every person in Ukraine knows and recognises in an instant. It even became a kind of cultural meme, something that only insiders understand. I love seeing how art can unite people and create a significant cultural heritage.

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By the way, the full episodes are available on YouTube. If you want, you can check it out. And don’t forget about the link I attached above. 🎥

I absolutely love watching how tiny beads gradually form a pattern and come to life as an incredible piece of jewelry. This meditative process of creation brings me true joy.

The sylyanka you see me wearing in this photo is my latest work. Creating it was a real challenge, as it took me almost half a year and many attempts to finally figure out the complex pattern and bring this perfection to life. This piece of jewelry has now become a symbol of perseverance and love for our culture for me.

I have already gathered a large collection of these beaded masterpieces. For me, they are not just material objects, but a heritage steeped with love and the Ukrainian soul.

I eagerly look forward to the day when I can pass these treasures on to my descendants, so they too can feel the magic and beauty of our culture.

I had the pleasure of visiting Kosiv and seeing the pottery with my own eyes (the picture on top), it is truly incredible. I especially like the attention to detail and the uniqueness of each piece: every ornament and brushstroke has its own meaning. Although my own “collection” (the pictures on the bottom) is tiny, and the pieces are actually from Moldova (my mum’s homeland), I’m very excited to buy more Ukrainian pottery in the future.

When I was still studying at school, there was nothing except a field there. As I was growing up, this place was changing alongside me.

When it was still in construction one summer before I entered my last year of high school, I was sitting there with my best friend, wondering about life. We had no idea of where it would lead us, what things await us.

Years have passed and it all turned out in a way I could never imagine. As I was changing, this flag, the city view and the lake visible from above were watching me become the person that I am now.

There I felt the most connected to my city, visible from the above, my country and the past versions of myself. It represents what home is to me — a place that knows the ways in which you transform the best. It will forever have a special place in my heart

Interesting facts->

1) The Sylianka is a handmade beaded necklace that dates back to ancient times, when it was worn as a talisman to protect against evil spirits and to symbolize harmony and connection with nature. It is also one of Ukraine's national treasures as well as the dukach, flower wreath and coral necklace.

2) Each colour in the beads carries its own meaning.

Mine is green and black –> 💚 stands for life, and harmony with nature, while 🖤 symbolizes the rich, fertile Ukrainian soil and the unbroken strength of our people.

By the way, I would also like to mention one of the lines from the poem "Two Colours" by Ukrainian poet Dmytro Pavlychko, which sounds like "red is love and black is sorrow".

♡ What makes it even more special is that it was handmade by my friend as a birthday gift,making it not only a piece of cultural heritage but also a token of friendship

On the other hand, the Dukach is a traditional pendant featuring a coin or medallion, popular among Ukrainian women in the 18th and 19th centuries. And it was often passed down through generations, symbolizing dignity and the strength of Ukrainian women.

I chose my diamond ring, which my mother gave me for my 18th birthday. In Israeli culture, turning 18 marks the transition to adulthood and independence, so this ring symbolizes both love and responsibility. My mother wanted me to have something meaningful that would stay with me through every stage of life. The ring represents our strong family connection and the importance of giving emotional gifts that last longer than trends or fashion. Whenever I wear it(all the time :) I feel proud to carry a part of my family’s values and traditions with me. It also reminds me of my roots and of how Israeli families often express love through small but meaningful gestures.

As a music lover, this festival is one of my favorite things about Italian culture. It is important for us Italians because it’s not just a music competition: it represents the history of Italian music, it’s a national television event that brings millions of people together in front of the screen, and the songs from Sanremo often become true soundtracks of our culture. During Sanremo week, all Italians are united by their love for music.

That celebration perfectly shows how we, ukrainians, like to gather together and bond. I remember these celebrations with nostalgia, as my great grandmother passed away, and there are no longer such big celebrations.

This image reflects not only a part of my heritage but also the beauty and strength that continue to define Jaffa today.

The bandura is a traditional Ukrainian string instrument. This is one of the oldest Ukrainian folk music instruments. It has a calm, gentle, and vibrant sound. The bandura, in its construction, resembles a lute or kobza. Usually, there are 55 strings, though the number may vary. The strings gradually shorten toward the edge of the instrument, producing a uniform sound across its range.

I started playing bandura when I was 13 years old. At that time, I was deeply interested in music and wanted to learn how to play and sing. This experience showed me the beauty of performing and taught me how to improvise when things don't go as planned.

Currently, I’m not playing much because my bandura is in my home city in the south of Ukraine. However, I still find ways to connect with art. I’ve started to write poetry and song lyrics.

For me, this food is very special ,not because it’s fancy, but because it reminds me of my childhood. I remember helping my grandma harvest the vegetables and prepare everything together. It was always fun, and those moments made me feel connected to my family and my home.

This simple meal represents love, tradition, and togetherness. That’s why this picture means so much to me.

This is a traditional Ukrainian accessory, made of beads. It can easily be made with your own hands and you can use any ornaments you like or cab make, which emphasizes the skill and personality of the person wearing it. It's not just a tradition, but a part of our soul and a way to demonstrate our identity.

I chose it as my artifact because the precepts contained in this book are the guiding framework for my life and the filter through which all other culture that I may have has to pass.

We often play with special Italian cards and sometimes people from different regions use different types of cards.

Kids usually learn from their grandparents.

The table is loud and fun. It is not about winning. It is about being together.

Playing cards is a way to share time and talk.

My personal artefact is a chocolate bar from Poland, a small but very meaningful object that represents a part of my second home. It reminds me of my childhood and of the precious time I spent with my grandmother. Whenever I see or eat this chocolate bar, it immediately brings me back to those moments: the familiar places in Poland, the warm atmosphere, and all the memories that are tied to them.

It symbolizes the beautiful moments I shared with my grandmother, those moments that shaped who I am and that I still hold close to my heart.