9:30 – 11:00am PDT Online Event Registration Required We are honored to host a conversation with Artem Chapeye, author of “The Ukraine” and “Ordinary People Don’t Carry Machine Guns.” Writing from the intersection of literature, witness, and war, Chapeye invites readers into a Ukraine often seen through headlines, but more deeply understood through ordinary people, family life, memory, humor, place, and moral choice. We will discuss Chapeye’s genre-blending collection “The Ukraine” and his powerful wartime work “Ordinary People Don’t Carry Machine Guns.” Together, these books ask how everyday life continues under extraordinary pressure, how identity and resilience are shaped by war, and how literature can help us understand Ukraine with greater depth and humanity. Reading both books is encouraged, but not required to attend. A note on the title: In English, we say Ukraine, not “the Ukraine.” Chapeye uses the phrase deliberately, playing with an old foreign misnaming while asking readers to consider what outsiders see, misunderstand, and imagine when they look toward Ukraine. Registration is required. Registration is found under the EVENTS menu. https://www.portlandlviv.org/event-details-registration/join-us-for-a-conversation-with-ukrainian-author-artem-chapeye We hope you’ll join us for a rich and timely conversation.

Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association is honored to participate in the upcoming Portland Sister City and Royal Rosarians Rose Festival Reception, where we will join Portland’s sister city community, civic leaders, and international partners in celebrating friendship, cultural connection, and the spirit of the Rose Festival. This year is especially meaningful for Portland-Lviv. Following the reception, the Portland-Lviv Friendship City relationship is expected to move forward for formalization as an official Sister City through Portland City Council, marking an important next step in strengthening the relationship between Portland and Lviv. Portland’s Sister City criteria outline the Friendship City period as the step before formal adoption by City Council.

We are grateful to be taking part in the Grand Floral Starlight Parade through the gracious invitation of Yulia Brockdorf and DAWN. Their invitation allows members of Portland-Lviv to join fellow members of the Ukrainian community in celebrating one of Portland’s most cherished traditions. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Yulia, DAWN, the Royal Rosarians, and the broader Portland Sister City community for helping create a moment of celebration, connection, and shared support for Ukraine.

5:00 – 9:00pm Viking Pavilion at Portland State University Join Portland-Lviv Friendship City at International Night 2026 for an unforgettable evening of culture, food, and fun as we celebrate diversity and global connection. Enjoy performances, try delicious international cuisine, and make new friends from around the world. Everyone is welcome, so mark your calendars and bring your friends and family along! Tickets will be available soon!!

5:30 – 6:30pm Lucky Lab | 1945 NW Quimby ST, Portland, OR 97209 Join us for a discussion of The Ukraine, a book that invites us to encounter Ukraine not as an abstraction, but through its people, places, memories, hardships, humor, and everyday moments of beauty. We will talk about Artem Chapeye’s blend of memoir, fiction, and reportage, the meaning behind the book’s provocative title, and how literature can help us understand Ukraine with greater depth and humanity. A note on the title: In English, we say Ukraine, not “the Ukraine.” Chapeye uses the phrase deliberately in the title story, playing with an old foreign misnaming while pointing readers toward a more intimate, lived, and unvarnished Ukraine.

6:30 – 8:30pm Lucky Lab | 1945 NW Quimby ST, Portland, OR 97209 Vyshyvanka Day is a Ukrainian holiday, dedicated to preserving the rich traditions of creating and wearing vyshyvankas. This observance is deeply rooted in Ukrainian culture and has gained global prominence. People worldwide now wear vyshyvankas in solidarity with Ukraine. If you have a vyshyvanka, please wear it on this annual Vyshyvanka Day. If you don’t have a vyshyvanka yet, this is your opportunity to see vyshyvankas from different regions and learn their stories. You may even get a tip of where to get your own vyshyvanka for next year’s Vyshyvanka Day. The vyshyvanka is not just fabric and thread; it’s a living connection to the past, a celebration of artistic beauty identity, and a testament to resilience. •Family History: Vyshyvankas were often handmade and passed down as heirlooms within families. Wearing one can connect one to their ancestors and the history of their family. Sometimes specific embroidery patterns or colors held special meanings within families, serving as a way to remember important events or family traditions. •Beauty: The intricate embroidery on the vyshyvanka is a stunning art form. The colors and patterns are visually captivating and represent a celebration of artistic expression. •National Identity: Different regions in Ukraine have their own distinct styles and patterns in their embroidery. Wearing a vyshyvanka can signify where one’s family comes from and connect them to a specific part of Ukraine. •Power & Strength: Traditionally, the embroidery patterns were believed to hold protective powers, warding off evil and misfortune. Wearing a vyshyvanka symbolizes inner strength and a connection to something greater than oneself. Vyshyvanka’s Historical Roots Vyshyvanka has a centuries-old lineage, tracing back to an archaeological find in the village of Martynivka (Cherkasy region) in 1909. Among the artifacts unearthed were two statuettes—men elegantly attired in long, flowing shirts adorned with intricate chest-level embroidery, seemingly caught in the spirited dance of the hopak.

12:30-4:00pm Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Join Portland-Lviv Friendship City at Friends for Ukraine, a special community event hosted by the Ashland- Sviatohirsk Aid Project. This meaningful afternoon will bring people together in support of Ukraine through music, film, speakers, crafts, and community connection. Portland-Lviv will be honored to participate alongside Ashland and Corvallis, joining three Oregon Ukrainian sister city organizations in one shared event of solidarity and support. The program includes Ukrainian crafts and a tag sale, welcome videos from Senators Wyden and Merkley, and an afternoon of music, film, and speakers, including a new short film by Ben Stott, 7 Voices From Ukraine. We hope you will join us as we come together in friendship and continued support for the people of Ukraine.

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 We will follow up with “Forest Song” (also known as “The Forest Song / The Song of the Forest”) by Lesya Ukrainka — a beloved Ukrainian play in three acts that blends human characters with creatures from Ukrainian folklore. March is Women’s History Month, which makes this an especially fitting time to read Lesya Ukrainka—widely regarded as the foremost woman writer in Ukrainian literature. Ukrainka (1871– 1913) was a Ukrainian poet and dramatist whose work helped shape modern Ukrainian literature; while many people know her poetry, she’s particularly celebrated for her plays, which are bold, philosophical, and deeply human. Her beloved “Forest Song”—written in 1911 and first staged in Kyiv in 1918—is a poetic, dreamlike drama where nature lives alongside mythic beings from Ukrainian folklore, exploring timeless tensions like loyalty and betrayal, freedom and constraint, and what it costs to live in harmony with the natural (and inner) world. We’ll read the Percival Cundy English translation (originally published in 1950 in Spirit of Flame), available as a freely accessible PDF. https://tarnawsky.artsci.utoronto.ca/elul/English/Ukrainka/ Ukrainka-ForestSong.pdf? fbclid=IwY2xjawQRadBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhWX FTVURGS0ZKVWRPUUtCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5 MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHluQcXUJ7jDj7- rAE8Pjn46vhzwrNTYf7pGPLHGKK9aiFB3S2bxe9fX10TdK_ aem_3MylBAwcLVulAKgQGwXdNg Portland Film Screening A new Ukrainian film with a loose “Forest Song” connection—“Mavka. The True Myth”—is scheduled to screen in Portland: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 6:50 PM (PST) Cinemark Century Eastport Plaza 16 You may also want to see the 2023 animated film Mavka: The Forest Song —a modern day family-friendly story reimagining of Lesya Ukrainka's play, Forest Song. It even features music from the beloved Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha! You can find it on Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, and other streaming platforms, as well as on DVD at the Multnomah County Library.

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 Our next read is “Forest Song” (also known as “The Forest Song / The Song of the Forest”) by Lesya Ukrainka — a beloved Ukrainian play in three acts that blends human characters with creatures from Ukrainian folklore. March is Women’s History Month, which makes this an especially fitting time to read Lesya Ukrainka—widely regarded as the foremost woman writer in Ukrainian literature. Ukrainka (1871– 1913) was a Ukrainian poet and dramatist whose work helped shape modern Ukrainian literature; while many people know her poetry, she’s particularly celebrated for her plays, which are bold, philosophical, and deeply human. Her beloved “Forest Song”—written in 1911 and first staged in Kyiv in 1918—is a poetic, dreamlike drama where nature lives alongside mythic beings from Ukrainian folklore, exploring timeless tensions like loyalty and betrayal, freedom and constraint, and what it costs to live in harmony with the natural (and inner) world. We’ll read the Percival Cundy English translation (originally published in 1950 in Spirit of Flame), available as a freely accessible PDF. https://tarnawsky.artsci.utoronto.ca/elul/English/Ukrainka/ Ukrainka-ForestSong.pdf? fbclid=IwY2xjawQRadBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhWX FTVURGS0ZKVWRPUUtCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5 MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHluQcXUJ7jDj7- rAE8Pjn46vhzwrNTYf7pGPLHGKK9aiFB3S2bxe9fX10TdK_ aem_3MylBAwcLVulAKgQGwXdNg Portland Film Screening A new Ukrainian film with a loose “Forest Song” connection—“Mavka. The True Myth”—is scheduled to screen in Portland: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 6:50 PM (PST) Cinemark Century Eastport Plaza 16 You may also want to see the 2023 animated film Mavka: The Forest Song —a modern day family-friendly story reimagining of Lesya Ukrainka's play, Forest Song. It even features music from the beloved Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha! You can find it on Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, and other streaming platforms, as well as on DVD at the Multnomah County Library.

2:00 – 6:00pm Pioneer Courthouse Square | 701 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR Organized by DAWN, Portland-Lviv Friendship City will participate in the 4 Years of Valor community event commemorating four years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Please join us to mark 4 years of full-scale war against Ukraine: An afternoon of music, engaging conversation, immersive exhibits and community in honor of Ukraine. Everyone is invited to join and show your support for Ukraine's courageous fight for liberty and survival.

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 In Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv, we walked through the streets of early 2010s Lviv in independent Ukraine. With Highcastle, we’ll step back in time to the late 1920s, when the city—then part of interwar Poland—was called Lwów. Lem recalls his 'monstrous' younger self, his early passion for pointless destruction, and his fascination with his father's medical books and instruments. Born into a comfortable upper-middle class Jewish household in provincial Lvov (at that time in Poland, now a part of Ukraine), Lem was an odd child, a voracious reader of books and eater of sweets. The part of the book that will particularly interest readers of Lem's fiction is his recounting of how he created, in painstaking and laborious detail, multitudes of 'official' identities, passports, treaties, and trade agreements that formed documentation of wholly fictional society. Fun Fact. Stanisław Lem wrote this book in 1975, the first English language translation appeared in 1995. The 1995 translation uses the name Lvov--the reminder of the Soviet occupation of the city. Where to find it Used copies sometimes turn up at Powell’s. You can also often find affordable copies through Alibris and other online used-book marketplaces.

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 In Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv, we walked through the streets of early 2010s Lviv in independent Ukraine. With Highcastle, we’ll step back in time to the late 1920s, when the city—then part of interwar Poland—was called Lwów. Lem recalls his 'monstrous' younger self, his early passion for pointless destruction, and his fascination with his father's medical books and instruments. Born into a comfortable upper-middle class Jewish household in provincial Lvov (at that time in Poland, now a part of Ukraine), Lem was an odd child, a voracious reader of books and eater of sweets. The part of the book that will particularly interest readers of Lem's fiction is his recounting of how he created, in painstaking and laborious detail, multitudes of 'official' identities, passports, treaties, and trade agreements that formed documentation of wholly fictional society. Fun Fact. Stanisław Lem wrote this book in 1975, the first English language translation appeared in 1995. The 1995 translation uses the name Lvov--the reminder of the Soviet occupation of the city. Where to find it Used copies sometimes turn up at Powell’s. You can also often find affordable copies through Alibris and other online used-book marketplaces.

2:00 – 5:00pm Southwest Community Center | 6820 SW 45th Ave, Portland, OR 97219 Organized by Lisova Pisnya, Portland-Lviv Friendship City will participate in Ukrainian Carols Night community event, coming together to make music and celebrate. Kids can get real caroling in Ukraine experience: residents of the village will be waiting for carols or poems ready to reward with cheer and sweet treats. Musical performances from Ukrainian Community Choir Lisova Pisnya, Inna Kovtun and many others; Caroling contest with prizes and gift cards from stores and community organizations.

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 At our members’ request, our December reading is a collection of fairy tales. Christmas is a magical season when St. Nicholas (Святий Миколай) brings gifts to children in Ukraine, and on Christmas Eve the animals receive the gift of speech for one night. Many a Ukrainian child would run to the barn on Christmas Eve to see whether the animals would speak. We chose a book of fairy tales—stories from different lands—collected by Ukrainian writer Ivan Franko. The collection, When the Animals Could Talk (Коли ще звірі говорили), was first published in Lviv in 1899, when Lviv was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A spirited anthology of animal tales gathered and retold by Ivan Franko, this collection blends Ukrainian and world folklore into sharp, witty fables where creatures think and speak like people. With humor and moral clarity, the stories explore themes of cleverness, justice, pride, greed, and compassion—inviting readers of all ages to reflect on human nature through the voices of the animal world. What to Read We’ll read the English-language translation published in 1987 in Soviet-occupied Ukraine. You’re welcome to read the full collection or just one story. Please also enjoy the artwork from the 1987 edition, which was not included in the original 1899 publication. Where to Find It When the Animals Could Talk (Dnipro, 1987) is available via Internet Archive—you can read it online or download it to your device. https://archive.org/details/ivan-franko-when-the-animals- could-talk-fables-dnipro-1987

9:30 – 11:00am Online Zoom Event Registration Required - See Special Events Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association is honored to host a conversation with Natalia Matolinets, author of All Necklaces Shielding the Goddess—a generational short story about Ukrainian women, resilience, memory, and the power of traditional jewelry as both amulet and symbol amidst war and displacement. All Necklaces Shielding the Goddess appears in the new collection, UNESCO City of Literature, an anthology combining articles, interviews, and reviews with four specially commissioned short stories from authors in Edinburgh, Exeter, Lviv, and Granada—showcasing how the UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature network sustains writers, readers, and global publishing. UNESCO City of Literature is available for free download: https://sites.exeter.ac.uk/mapublishing/unesco-cities- literature/

5:00–7:00 pm NW Portland Hostel | 479 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 We’re honored that Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association will be a featured guest speaker at GlobalPDX this month — sharing how Portland and Lviv are building bridges of friendship, culture, and humanitarian support between our two cities. GlobalPDX’s theme this month focuses on Portland– Ukraine relations, with special guest presentations, conversation, and networking among globally-minded changemakers. Don’t miss this inspiring evening — and bring a friend!

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 All Necklaces Shielding the Goddess is a generational short story about Ukrainian women, resilience, memory, and the power of traditional jewelry as both amulet and symbol amidst war and displacement. The story alternates between the perspectives of Steftsia, a village healer and witch living under occupation, and her granddaughter Niia, generations later. Steftsia is known for her collection of intricate and powerful necklaces— coral beads (korali), herdans (beaded ribbons), and zgardas (cross pendants)—each with cultural and protective significance. These necklaces serve as her strength, heritage, and magical shield, embodying both her personal and collective memory as a healer and woman in her community. All Necklaces Shielding the Goddess appears in a new collection, UNESCO City of Literature. The anthology combines articles, interviews, and reviews with four specially commissioned works of short fiction from authors in Edinburgh, Exeter, Lviv, and Granada—showcasing how the UNESCO Creative Cities of Literature network sustains writers, readers, and global publishing. All Necklaces Shielding the Goddess is available for free download: https://sites.exeter.ac.uk/mapublishing/unesco-cities- literature/ We hope you’ll join us for a rich and thought-provoking discussion. Happy reading!

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 Our follow-up discussion for The Unbearable Lightness of Being is Saturday, September 13 at 2:30 pm at Rose City Book Pub! Haven’t read The Unbearable Lightness of Being yet? Not to worry — you’re still welcome! You’ll get a taste of the plot and some lively discussion without any spoilers (unless you want them!). A perfect chance to get curious and see if it's something you want to read. Come for the company, stay for the conversation — book in hand or not.

11am–7pm Westmoreland Park (7530 SE 22nd Avenue, Portland). Celebrate Ukrainian culture with us at Ukrainian Day! Hosted by the Ukrainian Foundation, this free, family- friendly event features live music by Ukrainian and local musicians, traditional dance performances, national cuisine, artisan crafts, and hands-on workshops for all ages. Stop by the Portland-Lviv Friendship City booth to learn how we’re strengthening ties between Portland and Lviv, Ukraine through cultural exchange and humanitarian support. Explore our past and upcoming initiatives, meet our team, and find out how you can get involved in building community and international friendship. Let’s celebrate resilience, culture, and connection— together.

2:00 – 4:00pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 Set against the backdrop of 1968 Prague Spring and Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, The Unbearable Lightness of Being explores the intertwined lives of Tomas, Tereza, Sabina, and Franz. Through their loves, betrayals, and philosophical reflections, Kundera examines the tension between freedom and responsibility, body and soul, lightness and weight. This novel is a modern classic that beautifully weaves the political with the personal, the intimate with the historical. Whether you're revisiting or reading it for the first time, we hope you’ll join us for a rich and thought-provoking discussion. As always—no need to finish the book to attend, though be prepared for spoilers! Come for the company, stay for the conversation — book in hand or not.

2:00 – 4:00pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 Our follow-up discussion for Spaceman of Bohemia is Saturday, July 26 at 2:00pm at Rose City Book Pub! Haven’t read Spaceman of Bohemia yet? Not to worry — you’re still welcome! You’ll get a taste of the plot and some lively discussion without any spoilers (unless you want them!). A perfect chance to get curious and see if it's something you want to read. Come for the company, stay for the conversation — book in hand or not.

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 We’re excited to announce that our next book club pick is Spaceman of Bohemia, the acclaimed 2017 debut novel by Czech-American author Jaroslav Kalfař. Join us as we journey through this imaginative and poignant tale of cosmic adventure, national identity, and personal redemption. Start reading the book and/or watch the 2024 movie “Spaceman” and THEN read the book. Spaceman of Bohemia is a genre-bending work that combines science fiction, political satire, and philosophical reflection, all wrapped in a deeply personal story of identity and isolation. Ultimately, Spaceman of Bohemia explores themes of loneliness, redemption, exile, and the search for meaning in a post-totalitarian society. It’s poignant, darkly comic, and richly imaginative, offering a unique Eastern European perspective within a cosmic narrative.

7:00 – 9:00pm PCC - Cascade Campus Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building (MAHB) Room 104 705 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217 Join us for a powerful film screening that captures 93 pivotal days in Ukraine—when peaceful student protests ignited a full-scale revolution to oust pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Driven by a desire to join the European Union and break free from Putin’s influence, Ukrainians took to the streets in late 2013 to fight for their future. Discussion after with members of the Portland Ukrainian Community.

It was a great pleasure to attend the Portland Sister City and Royal Rosarians Rose Festival Reception as representatives of Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association. The Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association was also honored to take part in the Portland Rose Parade, thanks to the gracious invitation extended by Yulia Brockdorf and DAWN. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Yulia and DAWN for including our members in this memorable event, which allowed us to join fellow members of the Ukrainian community in celebrating this cherished Portland tradition.

5:00 – 9:00pm Viking Pavilion at Portland State University Join Portland-Lviv Friendship City at International Night 2025 for an unforgettable evening of culture, food, and fun as we celebrate diversity and global connection. Enjoy performances, try delicious international cuisine, and make new friends from around the world. Everyone is welcome, so mark your calendars and bring your friends and family along!

6:30 – 8:30pm Lucky Lab | 1945 NW Quimby ST, Portland, OR 97209 Vyshyvanka Day is a Ukrainian holiday, dedicated to preserving the rich traditions of creating and wearing vyshyvankas. This observance is deeply rooted in Ukrainian culture and has gained global prominence. People worldwide now wear vyshyvankas in solidarity with Ukraine. If you have a vyshyvanka, please wear it on this annual Vyshyvanka Day. If you don’t have a vyshyvanka yet, this is your opportunity to see vyshyvankas from different regions and learn their stories. You may even get a tip of where to get your own vyshyvanka for next year’s Vyshyvanka Day. The vyshyvanka is not just fabric and thread; it’s a living connection to the past, a celebration of artistic beauty identity, and a testament to resilience. •Family History: Vyshyvankas were often handmade and passed down as heirlooms within families. Wearing one can connect one to their ancestors and the history of their family. Sometimes specific embroidery patterns or colors held special meanings within families, serving as a way to remember important events or family traditions. •Beauty: The intricate embroidery on the vyshyvanka is a stunning art form. The colors and patterns are visually captivating and represent a celebration of artistic expression. •National Identity: Different regions in Ukraine have their own distinct styles and patterns in their embroidery. Wearing a vyshyvanka can signify where one’s family comes from and connect them to a specific part of Ukraine. •Power & Strength: Traditionally, the embroidery patterns were believed to hold protective powers, warding off evil and misfortune. Wearing a vyshyvanka symbolizes inner strength and a connection to something greater than oneself. Vyshyvanka’s Historical Roots Vyshyvanka has a centuries-old lineage, tracing back to an archaeological find in the village of Martynivka (Cherkasy region) in 1909. Among the artifacts unearthed were two statuettes—men elegantly attired in long, flowing shirts adorned with intricate chest-level embroidery, seemingly caught in the spirited dance of the hopak.

9:30 – 11:00am Online Zoom Event Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association is honored to host a conversation with Andrey Kurkov, the author of “Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv” and many other novels and creative works. Andrey is one of Ukraine’s most celebrated novelists, his books have been translated into 36 languages. Kurkov’s books include the 2024 International Booker longlisted “The Silver Bone”, the 2022 National Book Critics Circle Award-winning “Grey Bees”, and the international bestseller “Death and the Penguin”. All the above books are available at Multnomah County Library in English, “Grey Bees” is also available in Spanish. Andrey lives in Kyiv, Ukraine—10 time zones away from Portland, Oregon. We are grateful for the opportunity to speak with Andrey about “Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv” and other topics. 💬 Have a question for Andrey? Send it our way—we’ll include as many as possible in the conversation. Please email to portlandlviv@portlandlviv.com. 📅 Registration is required. Once you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email. A Zoom link for the event will be sent to you one week prior to the scheduled date. Please register under the "featured events" page.

2:30 – 4:30pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 We had such a great time discussing "Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv" at the first meeting of New Europe Book Club last March that we decided to meet again in April and talk about "Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv". Join us as we continue to explore this wonderful story, set in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and find out how Jimi’s music affected the KGB and what they did about it. Everyone is invited--both March meeting participants and newcomers. Most of you would have read the books by now and our discussion will assume that participants have finished the book. If you have not--you are welcome to join us but be prepared for spoilers. We look forward to seeing you at 2:30 pm (14:30) at Rose City Book Pub. Many thanks to Rose City Book Pub for hosting! Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv is available at several branches of Multnomah County Library, at Powell's Books, Inc., on Audible, at Amazon, etc.

3:00 – 5:00pm Rose City Book Pub | 1329 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212 Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv! The power of music and “favors” from the KGB. Join us as we explore this wonderful story, set in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and find out how Jimi’s music affected the KGB and what they did about it. “Shot through with Kurkov's unique brand of black humour and vodka-fuelled magic realism, Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv is an affectionate portrait of one of the world's most intriguing cities. Strange things are afoot in the cosmopolitan city of Lviv, western Ukraine.” Jimi Hendrix Live in Lviv is available at several branches of Multnomah County Library, at Powell's Books, Inc., on Audible, at Amazon, etc.

4:00 – 8:00pm Pioneer Courthouse Square Organized by DAWN, Portland-Lviv Friendship City will participate in the 3 Years of Valor community event commemorating three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We invite you to join us and show your support for Ukraine. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience various exhibits that will bring to light the devastating impact of the war in Ukraine as well as highlight the bravery, commitment and valor that every day Ukrainians have exhibited in their fight for a free and sovereign Ukraine. All are encouraged to bring electric/LED candles, as well as pictures of loved that live on in our memories. (Please note that real candles are not allowed.)

On December 9th our President visited the Lviv office of “Voices of Children”, a Ukrainian non-profit that has been helping children and families affected by Russian invasion since 2015. “Voices of Children” provides psychological support and individual humanitarian assistance to families. Lviv is sheltering many refugee families from other areas of Ukraine. Children come to “Voices of Children” for individual and group therapy as well as play activities where they can have fun and meet new friends in a new to them city. Portland’s coffee shop “Just Bob” has been offering a coffee drink “Lviv Latte” as a fundraiser for “Voices of Children” and other Ukrainian causes since spring 2022. In gratitude for this support children who attend Lviv office programs drew cat pictures as presents for Bob, the owner of “Just Bob”, and were excited to hear that these pictures will travel to Portland, Oregon, US. Staff member of “Voices of Children” signed the book “War through the voices of children” for Bob as appreciation for his contributions enabling them to provide services to children affected by the war. Please, contact us at portlandlviv@portlandlviv.org if your business would like to do a fundraiser for “Voice of Children” and/or Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association.

4:00pm WorldOregon 1207 SW Broadway, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97205 Free admission; registration required (https://www.worldoregon.org/) Co-presented with WorldOregon These poems of witness may be wrought from a horrendous war, composed in times of turmoil and void of leisure, yet the Ukrainian poet Halyna Kruk’s mastery is evident on every page …Sometimes tender, offering surprising moments of stubbornly persisting beauty, sometimes bitter and hard, Kruk’s poems are also a reminder for the rest of the world to ‘take us in, like unpleasant medicine’. —Judges’ Citation, Griffin Poetry Prize How does a poet in the midst of a tragic war write about both her country’s and her own personal loss and trauma? Is there really any other choice? Acclaimed Ukrainian poet, translator, and scholar Halyna Kruk joins us for a rare Portland appearance to read from her latest collections of poems (including the award-winning Crash Course in Molotov Cocktails and Lost in Living) in English and Ukrainian. She will also be joined in conversation with former Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford for a discussion on poetry as a prism for navigating the loss and grief, both personal and collective, that war brings and what roads might be salvaged to return us to our humanness. About the Speakers: Halyna Kruk was born in Lviv, Ukraine. She is the author of five books of poetry (including A Crash Course in Molotov Cocktails, which was recently shortlisted for the prestigious Griffin Poetry Prize and Lost in Living, published by Oregon's Lost Horse Press), as well as a collection of short stories and four children’s books. She has garnered multiple awards for her writing, including the Bohdan Ihor Antonych Prize, the Polish Gaude Polonia Fellowship, the Bookforum Best Book Award, and the Kovaliv Foundation Prize for Prose. She has served as vice president of the PEN Ukraine, holds a Ph.D in Ukrainian literature, and is professor of European and Ukrainian baroque literature at the Ivan Franko National University in Lviv. Kim Stafford is Emeritus Professor at Lewis and Clark College in Oregon and the founder of the Northwest Writing Institute. He writes, teaches, and travels to raise the human spirit through poetry. He has taught writing in dozens of schools and community centers, and in Scotland, Italy, Mexico, and Bhutan. In 2018 he was named Oregon’s 9th Poet Laureate for a two-year term. Kim has published a dozen books of poetry and prose, including A Proclamation for Peace, recently translated into 50 languages; As the Sky Begins to Change (Red Hen Press, 2024); and, in 2022, Sunflower Seeds: Poems for Ukraine, which explores testimony, lament, solace, and inquiry into the causes of war and a search for remedies.

3:15 – 4:30pm McMenamins Kennedy School Main Theater Join us at the Portland Film Festival for an exclusive screening of “The Battle for Kyiv,” a gripping documentary by the acclaimed British-Lebanese filmmaker Oz Katerji. The Battle for Kyiv is more than just a film; it’s an extraordinary story of resistance that must be remembered and had to be told. Witness the resilience and courage of those who stood their ground in the face of overwhelming odds. This is a narrative that will inspire and remind us of the power of human spirit. Be there to experience a story that the world needs to hear.

The Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association was honored to take part in the Portland Rose Parade, thanks to the gracious invitation extended by Yulia Brockdorf and DAWN. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Yulia Brockdorf and DAWN for including our members in this memorable event, which allowed us to join fellow members of the Ukrainian community in celebrating this cherished Portland tradition.

12:00 – 1:30pm Portland City Hall It was a great pleasure to attend the Portland Sister City and Royal Rosarians Rose Festival Reception as representatives of Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association. This reception is an annual tradition and important part of Rose Festival that celebrates Portland’s international ties. For the second year, the Friendship Signing Ceremony included representatives of Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association adding our signature to the Sister City Proclamation.

4:00 – 6:00pm Viking Pavilion at Portland State University Join Portland-Lviv Friendship City at International Night 2024 and celebrate diverse cultures from around the world! This event is open to all, don’t miss out! Admission| Free for PSU students/faculty/staff, $5 for general public. (Tickets are required for entry.) https://sites.google.com/pdx.edu/international-night-2024/home Culture Booths 4:00-6:00 pm Come and explore our cultural booths featuring a wide array of traditions, customs, and organizations! Our volunteers and student leaders will be on hand to share insights and showcase the diversity of our community. Visit each booth, collect stamps, and exchange them for raffle tickets at the Culture Booth Information Counter. Don't miss the chance to win prizes at our raffle drawings during the stage performances!! International Cuisine Station 4:30-6:00 pm (First come, first served) Embark on a culinary journey with us and taste dishes from around the world! Our menu offers a diverse selection of international flavors for you. Food will be served on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to arrive early to enjoy this delicious food. Cultural Performance Stage 5:45-8:00 pm Enjoy stage performances showcasing a fusion of traditional and modern music, dance, and more. The stage kicks off with an opening ceremony and wraps up with a cultural fashion show highlighting the beauty and individuality of various cultures. Join us for an unforgettable showcase of talent and cultural diversity!

6:30 – 8:30pm Lucky Lab | 1945 NW Quimby ST, Portland, OR 97209 Vyshyvanka Day is a Ukrainian holiday, dedicated to preserving the rich traditions of creating and wearing vyshyvankas. This observance is deeply rooted in Ukrainian culture and has gained global prominence. People worldwide now wear vyshyvankas in solidarity with Ukraine. Celebrate Vyshyvanka Day with Us! Join us at Lucky Lab in NW Portland for local beer and conversation any time between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm. If you have a vyshyvanka, please wear it on this annual Vyshyvanka Day. If you don’t have a vyshyvanka yet, this is your opportunity to see vyshyvankas from different regions and learn their stories. You may even get a tip of where to get your own vyshyvanka for next year’s Vyshyvanka Day. The vyshyvanka is not just fabric and thread; it’s a living connection to the past, a celebration of artistic beauty identity, and a testament to resilience. •Family History: Vyshyvankas were often handmade and passed down as heirlooms within families. Wearing one can connect one to their ancestors and the history of their family. Sometimes specific embroidery patterns or colors held special meanings within families, serving as a way to remember important events or family traditions. •Beauty: The intricate embroidery on the vyshyvanka is a stunning art form. The colors and patterns are visually captivating and represent a celebration of artistic expression. •National Identity: Different regions in Ukraine have their own distinct styles and patterns in their embroidery. Wearing a vyshyvanka can signify where one’s family comes from and connect them to a specific part of Ukraine. •Power & Strength: Traditionally, the embroidery patterns were believed to hold protective powers, warding off evil and misfortune. Wearing a vyshyvanka symbolizes inner strength and a connection to something greater than oneself. Vyshyvanka’s Historical Roots Vyshyvanka has a centuries-old lineage, tracing back to an archaeological find in the village of Martynivka (Cherkasy region) in 1909. Among the artifacts unearthed were two statuettes—men elegantly attired in long, flowing shirts adorned with intricate chest-level embroidery, seemingly caught in the spirited dance of the hopak.

3:00 – 4:30pm Pioneer Courthouse Square Portland-Lviv stood in solidarity with over 100 cities worldwide, commemorating a decade of remarkable resilience, bravery, and hope. During the event, board members Tatiana Terdal and Tad Everhart took the stage. Notably, Tad expressed, “Spiritually, I am Ukrainian-American today—not only grateful for my American identity, but also echoing the sentiment of President John F. Kennedy when he declared, ‘I am a Berliner’ to the free citizens of the Western half of that city. Today, I proudly proclaim, ‘I am Ukrainian.’” This sentiment struck a chord with each of us.

7:00 – 8:30am Just Bob Coffee | 2403 NE Alberta, Portland 97211 As we mark the second anniversary of Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, come have coffee with Portland's Ukrainian Friendship City, Lviv, a city famous for its coffeehouses. Enjoy Portland's own Lviv Latte and a live web link with the people of Lviv. Special for the morning--a 12 oz Lviv Latte and a pastry for $10. All proceeds will go to Voices of Children--Ukraine-based organization that helps children process the trauma of war with psychological and psychosocial support. We will also have information about the important role Lviv has played in bringing coffee to the western world. If you can't make the event, we encourage you to drop by Just Bob any time you can, order Lviv Latte, and thank Just Bob for their ongoing support of Ukraine and vulnerable Ukrainians. --Voices of Children Main page - Голоси дітей (voices.org.ua) --Coffee with Lviv, Ukraine! RSVP https://fb.me/e/gXL2SviMM

We gather at Just Bob coffee house to enjoy a Lviv Latte and discuss the year ahead!

Thanks to WorldOregon and Tim DuRoche, members of the Portland-Lviv Friendship Association had the wonderful opportunity to engage in a meaningful conversation with Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, former Ambassador to Ukraine, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. It was truly a pleasure to interact with this distinguished career diplomat and fascinating individual. During our discussion, we had the chance to share about the children's rehabilitation center Dzherelo in Lviv. It was heartening to see Ambassador Yovanovitch recall her visit to Dzherelo in 2017, underscoring her genuine interest and connection to the important work being done there.

Thanks to the invitation by Ukrainian Foundation, we participated in Ukrainian Day PDX—the largest Ukrainian festival in Portland Metro area. It was a very hot day but many people braved the 90+ degree temperatures to come celebrate Ukrainian culture. We shared information about Portland-Lviv Friendship Association, pictures, books, and crafts from Lviv. Thanks to everyone who signed up to hear more about the organization and our upcoming events!

In August 2023 our President and Secretary traveled to Lviv. Due to ongoing Russian invasion and acts of terror against civilians, there is no civilian air traffic over Ukraine, so all travel into Ukraine is by car, bus, train, or on foot. Lviv is located close to Ukraine’s border with Poland, about one hour’s bus ride from the closest Polish border crossing. Our members were warmly met in Lviv and had a number of meetings, both with Lviv City administration officials and members of Lviv public who had been working towards a sister city relationship between our two cities for a number of years. On August 1, 2023, we met with Ms. Iryna Dzhyhovska, Head of Bureau of Foreign Cooperation for the City of Lviv. Our meeting started at Ms. Dzhyhovska’s office at Lviv City Hall but halfway through the meeting an air raid alarm sounded, and we had to move to the closest bomb shelter where we continued the meeting. Ms. Dzhyhovska confirmed City of Lviv’s support for a sister city relationship between our two cities. Once the air raid alarm for Lviv was over, we also had the privilege of meeting Levchyk—a cat that lives at Lviv City Hall and is known as #LvivCityCat on Instagram. At the invitation of Ms. Dzhyhovska, we toured Unbroken Rehabilitation Center. Since the start of the all-out Russian invasion in 2022, Lviv has become a major humanitarian and medical center providing shelter to hundreds of thousands of refugees from the occupied areas of Ukraine and offering medical and other services to its growing population. Unbroken Rehabilitation Center provides a wide range of services, including emergency medical care, reconstructive surgery, prosthetics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling. Volodymyr Fedorov, Deputy CEO of Lviv First Medical Organization, gave us a tour of Unbroken and talked about the support that the center has received from Lviv’s sister cities Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany) and Vilnius (Lithuania) and other donors and supporters. Visit to Lviv presented a wonderful opportunity to reconnected with Taras Fedak, who visited Portland in 2006 as part of State Department program on “Energy Efficiency”, and Lyubomyr Zubach, Deputy Mayor of Lviv for Urban Development, who visited Portland in 2017 as part of State Department program on “Good Governance”. Both of them were happy to hear about the ongoing relationship between our two cities and reconfirmed their support. Visit to Lviv offered many opportunities to enjoy the city’s art, culture, coffeeshops and bookstores. We also had the pleasure of touring the new campus of Ukrainian Catholic University based on the master plan developed by University of Oregon Associate Professor Gerald Gast and graduate students from the Urban Projects Workshop at the College of Design in Portland. Most of our days and some nights in Lviv were interrupted by air raid alarms; we had to get accustomed to going to bomb shelters as part of Lviv’s reality of a city in wartime.

The Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association was honored to take part in the Portland Rose Parade, thanks to the gracious invitation extended by Yulia Brockdorf and DAWN. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Yulia Brockdorf and DAWN for including our members in this memorable event, which allowed us to join fellow members of the Ukrainian community in celebrating this cherished Portland tradition.

It was a great pleasure to attend the Portland Sister City and Royal Rosarians Rose Festival Reception as representatives of Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association. This reception is an annual tradition and important part of Rose Festival that celebrates Portland’s international ties. For the first time in Portland’s history, the Friendship Signing Ceremony included representatives of Portland-Lviv Friendship City Association adding our signature to the Sister City Proclamation.

It’s official! Portland and Lviv are now officially Friendship Cities—an important milestone on the road to becoming Sister Cities. Portland City Council has unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 37588 declaring the City of Lviv Ukraine as an official Friendship City. The vote was preceded by years of conversations, discussions, meetings, exchanges, shared meals and hundreds of cups of coffee at both Portland and Lviv coffee houses. We are grateful to all the people who helped us get here, including other members of the Portland Sister Cities Coalition, Portland City administrations officials starting with the administration of Mayor Potter. Special thanks to James Autry, President of Portland Sister Cities Coalition, and Chido Dhliwayo, International Relations Director who helped us get ready for the presentation to the Portland City Council that preceded the vote on the resolution. This momentous event was covered by KOIN.