Celebrate Ukrainian Traditions at the Easter Bazaar
Spring is a season of renewal—and in Ukrainian culture, Easter is one of the most meaningful and joyful celebrations of the year. In Southwest Florida, the Ukrainian community comes together to share these cherished traditions at the St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic...
Celebrate Ukrainian Traditions at the Easter Bazaar
Spring is a season of renewal—and in Ukrainian culture, Easter is one of the most meaningful and joyful celebrations of the year. In Southwest Florida, the Ukrainian community comes together to...
Celebrate Ukrainian Traditions at the Easter Bazaar
Spring is a season of renewal—and in Ukrainian culture, Easter is one of the most meaningful and joyful celebrations of the year. In Southwest Florida, the Ukrainian community comes together to share these cherished traditions at the St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic...
Eight Weeks in Ukraine: Bearing Witness to Resilience and Resistance
Beyond the Headlines: Life in Ukraine War is often reduced to headlines and statistics — numbers that blur together over time, stripped of the human stories behind them. What those headlines often don't convey is the reality of living through a war that is constant:...
Celebrate the Season at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Christmas Bazaar
Experience Ukrainian Holiday Traditions at St. Mary’s Christmas Bazaar St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, Florida, is once again opening its doors for one of its most cherished annual celebrations — the St. Mary’s Christmas Bazaar. This festive...
Dream Trains – Voices of Hope
In our recent Spotlight Ukraine stories — UCARE: Nearly Three Decades of Hope and Healing for Ukraine’s Children and My Home — Ukraine: Through the Eyes of Children — we explored how the nonprofit organization, UCARE, has transformed lives by meeting Ukrainian...
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Welcome to Spotlight Ukraine
Sharing stories. Celebrating culture. Supporting Ukraine.
Spotlight Ukraine was launched a few weeks after the full-scale invasion in 2022. A small team—some with deep ties to Ukraine, others moved to act in solidarity, created this platform to keep Ukraine in focus—especially when the world’s attention turns elsewhere.
We’re on a mission to support the Ukrainian people and a secure, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine—and to help preserve Ukraine’s unique cultural identity—through the power of storytelling, advocacy, and collaboration with those who stand with Ukraine.
Here, we share personal stories from Ukrainians, volunteers, and others on the ground in Ukraine, the Ukrainian diaspora, and those working around the world to support Ukraine—alongside insights into Ukraine’s rich culture and enduring spirit. This space is for everyone—whether you’re connected by heritage, motivated to support Ukraine, or simply curious.
By sharing the beauty of Ukraine’s culture and her people, we also aim to reawaken support—from new audiences and those who may have turned away—for Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty, lasting peace, and a free and prosperous future.
Discover and Celebrate Ukrainian Culture
Explore Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage—from folk traditions and national cuisine to music, art, and everyday rituals that reflect the heart of a nation.
Join The Celebration of Ukrainian Culture, Cuisine, Community — and Faith
Discover, Savor, and Celebrate Ukrainian Traditions at St. Mary’s Easter...
Celebrating Ukrainian Heritage Through Fashion: A Unique Runway Experience in Support of Ukraine’s Children
Experience the Artistry and Legacy of Ukrainian Fashion On March 15,...
Chimes of Unity: Spotlighting Ukraine at the National Bell Festival
Celebrating Ukraine's Cultural Heritage At Spotlight Ukraine, we are...
Experience the Spirit of Ukraine at the Ukrainian Christmas Festival
Join the UNWLA in Celebrating Ukrainian Traditions, Art, and Culture This...
Revealing the Soul of Ukraine Through Dance: The National Ballet of Ukraine US Tour – Nadiya Ukraine (Hope of Ukraine)
Photograph by Oleksandra Zlunitsyna Celebrating Ukraine’s Cultural...
The Art of Katya Goltseva: Weaving Memories of Ukraine with Contemporary Expression
With its rich and unique cultural heritage, Ukraine has always been a...
Support To Make A Difference
We’ve partnered with and written about these incredible nonprofits. Click to learn more, get involved, and support their ongoing efforts for Ukraine.
Meet The Difference Makers
Read the stories of people across the globe stepping up in extraordinary ways to support Ukraine—from grassroots volunteers and aid workers to nonprofit teams and global citizens—helping to drive hope and support for Ukraine and her people.
My Home — Ukraine: Through the Eyes of Children
In our recent blog article, UCARE: Nearly Three Decades of Hope and...
UCARE: Nearly Three Decades of Hope and Healing for Ukraine’s Children
Rooted in Ukrainian Heritage In Vera Petrusha’s childhood home in Detroit...
How a South Florida Organization is Building Awareness, Healing Trauma, and Delivering Aid
All across the U.S., small Ukrainian community organizations are having a...
Be The First To Know
Join our email list to receive regular updates on the Portrait Ukraine Project, upcoming exhibitions, insightful blogs, and the latest campaigns by Spotlight Ukraine.
Don’t worry, we won’t overwhelm you with too many emails. And rest assured, you’re in control – unsubscribe at any time with ease.
Don’t miss out on the latest news and events. Sign up now!
Join Events & Other Happenings
Celebrate the Season at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Christmas Bazaar
Experience Ukrainian Holiday Traditions at St. Mary’s Christmas Bazaar...
A Nation Unbroken: Celebrating Ukraine’s Independence Day
Ukrainian Independence Day Is Just Around the Corner: A Call to Recognize...
How a South Florida Organization is Building Awareness, Healing Trauma, and Delivering Aid
All across the U.S., small Ukrainian community organizations are having a...
Support To Make A Difference
We’ve partnered with and written about these incredible nonprofits. Click to learn more, get involved, and support their ongoing efforts for Ukraine.
Featured Blog Series
Portrait Ukraine
A powerful photojournalism series by longtime Spotlight Ukraine collaborator Allan Mestel—capturing the human stories behind the war—voices of courage, loss, and unbreakable spirit.
‘Portrait Ukraine’ Photography Exhibition: Capturing Faces of Resistance Amid The Chaos of War
Mark Your Calendar for a Must-See Photo Exhibition! We’re excited to share information about the premier of the ‘Portrait Ukraine’ photography exhibition that will take place from March 15 to April 19 at the Lexow Gallery, Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota,...
Heartfelt Lens: Allan Mestel’s Journey to Unveil Ukraine’s Personal Stories of Tragedy, Suffering, Resilience, and Hope.
In the Shadow of the Full-scale Invasion: A Personal Reflection By Allan Mestel Like the rest of the civilized world, in early 2022, I lived in hope that Putin’s military buildup on the borders of Ukraine was a power play, a bluff intended to wring concessions from a...
Mykolaiv, a City Under Attack
Portrait Ukraine 2023 This is the latest blog from our Portrait Ukraine 2023 series, following the journey of photojournalists Allan Mestel and David Graham through Ukraine and providing a firsthand view of current events on the ground. Through the art of powerful...
A Day Near The Frontlines in Bakhmut, Ukraine
Portrait Ukraine 2023 This is the latest blog from our Portrait Ukraine 2023 series, following the journey of photojournalists Allan Mestel and David Graham through Ukraine and providing a firsthand view of current events on the ground. Through the art of powerful...
In The Shadows of War: On The Ground in Donetsk
Portrait Ukraine 2023 This is the latest blog from our Portrait Ukraine 2023 series, following the journey of photojournalists Allan Mestel and David Graham through Ukraine and providing a firsthand view of current events on the ground. Through the art of powerful...
How Animals and People in Ukraine are Helping To Heal Each Other
Portrait Ukraine 2023 This is the latest blog from our Portrait Ukraine 2023 series, following the journey of photojournalists Allan Mestel and David Graham through Ukraine and providing a firsthand view of current events on the ground. Through the art of powerful...
Be The First To Know
Join our email list to receive regular updates on the Portrait Ukraine Project, upcoming exhibitions, insightful blogs, and the latest campaigns by Spotlight Ukraine.
Don’t worry, we won’t overwhelm you with too many emails. And rest assured, you’re in control – unsubscribe at any time with ease.
Don’t miss out on the latest news and events. Sign up now!
Featured Blog Series
Unsung Heroes
Photographed by Spotlight Ukraine collaborator Allan Mestel, this series follows his journey through Ukraine as he documents the quiet strength and lifesaving work of individuals supported by the nonprofit United Help Ukraine.
A Guiding Light: Yuliya and the Unsung Heroes at UHU Healing Ukraine’s Children
Welcome back to our "Unsung Heroes" blog series as we continue our story about the people behind United Help Ukraine’s Smuha Family Resilience Project and the Ukrainian children and families they support. In our last blog, we highlighted the work of the unsung heroes...
From Trauma to Healing: How UHU’s Unsung Heroes Are Helping Children and Their Families Cope
Today's blog continues our ‘Unsung Heroes’ series, focusing on the relentless efforts of those making a difference in Ukraine amidst the ongoing war. Photojournalist Allan Mestel embarks on his fourth journey to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, capturing the...
Unsung Heroes: Yevheniia’s Journey from Bank Professional to Lifeline for Ukraine
Honoring The Unsung Heroes: Yevheniia's StoryWelcome to the latest installment in our "Unsung Heroes" series, where we shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals making a difference in Ukraine. As Ukraine continues to defend itself against an unprovoked and...
Celebrating Unsung Heroes: The Heartbeat of Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom
Join Us in Honoring and Celebrating the Unsung HeroesIn times of crisis, it is often the quiet, selfless actions of ordinary people that make the most profound impact. People who dedicate themselves tirelessly to helping others without asking for anything in return....
From Aid to Advocacy: United Help Ukraine’s Impactful Journey
In the face of adversity and unprovoked aggression, United Help Ukraine (UHU) stands as a beacon of hope and resilience for the people of Ukraine. With a steadfast commitment to its mission, UHU works tirelessly to provide critical support that enables Ukrainians to...
Capturing Courage and the Unsung Heroes: Allan Mestel’s Fourth Journey to Ukraine
Behind the Lens: An Exclusive Interview with Allan Mestel Spotlight Ukraine's Christine Mariconda recently caught up with Allan Mestel, seasoned photojournalist and historical photographer, about his next trip to Ukraine. Having covered his first three journeys...
Featured Videos
KOLO: A Celebration of the Dance, Visual and Musical Heritage of Ukrainian Culture
Video courtesy of Relevant Communications. Use of these images without prior written consent from Relevant Communications is strictly prohibited.
At the Borders of Humanity
The story of documentary photographer Allan Mestel’s journey to the Poland/Ukraine border.