Veronika Poliakova

This project proposes the publication of the second issue of More Liudei, a print magazine that documents the wartime transformation of Odesa (the first issue became a reality thanks to support from Documenting Ukraine in 2024). Produced by the team behind Odesa-based media outlet More Liudei, the magazine captures the city’s evolving identity, post-colonial reflection, and social resilience during the full-scale Russian invasion. The new edition will feature stories of artists, military personnel (including women and former POWs), environmental shifts, local innovation in AI, and LGBTQ+ voices. It will serve as a physical archive for libraries, NGOs, and cultural hubs, offering evidence-based narratives of Odesa’s lived wartime experience. The project contributes directly to the mission of Documenting Ukraine by preserving and analyzing local perspectives through high-quality print media. The magazine will be created and presented to the public during the period from January to August 2026.

The project will produce a 40-page print magazine (200 copies) that documents Odesa’s wartime experiences, serving as a powerful reflection of the city’s enduring connection to its Ukrainian heritage and identity. The magazine will feature in-depth narratives, including: testimonies from Odesa businesswomen on how the war has transformed their enterprises; an exclusive interview with a renowned Ukrainian film director about the challenges of directing films during wartime; conversations with the wives of Odesa soldiers on how they cope with their husbands’ involvement in the war; a feature on the establishment and success of the Theatre of Small Comedy which continues to thrive despite the ongoing conflict; the story of an Odesa caricaturist whose satirical works defy and ridicule the Russian invaders; a study on the resilience of couples from Odesa, separated by war, as they strive to preserve their relationships.