Evgeny Kiselev is interviewed by Dr. Ivan Kurilla.

Just over 50 people assembled in the Ohio Union Great Hall Meeting Room on Monday, October 13th to hear Evgeny Kiselev. Angela Brintlinger, chair of the department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures at the Ohio State as well as head of the Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies opened the event by welcoming the crowd to the final event of the Armed Conflicts and Im/Mobility grant project, introducing Kiselev and his interviewer, Professor Ivan Kurilla and reciting a poem about the media landscape under Putin.

Dr. Angela Brintlinger opened the event with a poetry reading.

Ivan Kurilla, visiting professor in the History department at OSU and specialist in US—Russia relations started off the interview by asking Kiselev to share about the beginnings of Itogi, a weekly political news show hosted through the Russian television channel NTV. They discussed the Russian media landscape in the 90s and 2000s and the realities of being a journalist during that time. Then, Kiselev spoke about his self-imposed exile to Ukraine, where he worked for the Ukrainian media before finally fleeing the country for his own safety at the onset of the Russian full-scale invasion.

Kiselev responds to a question during the Q&A session.

The remaining hour of the event was dedicated to Q&A. Members from the audience asked Kiselev about citizenship for journalists working abroad, the future of Russia and the Putin regime as well recommendations for English and Russian-language news sources for foreign language learners. The final question inquired about Kiselev’s upcoming projects and he shared that he was interested in writing a memoir.   

Thank you to everyone who attended and to all our previous attendees at the events for the Armed Conflicts and Im/mobility grant!

Dr. Angela Brintlinger & poets Julia Kolchinsky and Luisa Muradyan

On Friday, February 21st almost 80 people gathered in the Barnett Center Collaboratory to celebrate the opening of the Ukraine: Sheltering in Place art exhibit. The exhibit, which features the artwork of Olga Morozova and students from the College of Arts and Design of the Kyiv National University of Technology and Design will hang in Sullivant Hall from February 17th—28th.

Dr. Yana Hashamova opened the reception by talking about the grant and the work of graduate student grantees. She then turned the floor over to the Armed Conflicts and Im/mobility grant recipients. Those who were able to join us shared about their research and findings. The posters remained up for the rest of the night so that attendees could read about these excellent projects.

Lejla Vesković with her project “Russian Mind in the Montenegrin World.”

Alberto Vega Rivera talks about their project “Ultrallanos: Stay and Resist.”

Following the poster presentations, Dr. Angela Brintlinger opened the poetry and music section of the evening with a reflection on art in a time of war. Pianist Olena Mladenova then began her musical performance with a classical Ukrainian set, including Myroslav Skoryk’s “Melody,” Sergiy Bortkewich’s “Prelude,” and Myroslav Skoryk’s “Waltz from Partita.”

Poet Julia Kolchinsky

Poet Luisa Muradyan

Julia Kolchinsky was the first poet to read her work. Her emotional performance moved the audience; her words resonated with both frustration and mirth. Next, Luisa Muradyan read from her collection of humorous, yet poignant work. Witnessing these performances live was truly special.

Mladenova’s second set comprised Ukrainian folk songs, including a new piece composed by Mladenova’s friend, making Ukraine: Sheltering in Place its world premiere!

After the performances many of the guests remained to mingle, admire the artwork and posters, and reflect on the evening.

Read more about the night’s presenters here

On Monday October 14th over 50 filmgoers gathered at the Gateway Film Center for the Film/Video Festival “Reframing Refug(e)” curated and organized by Assistant Professor of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts Rasel Ahmed. The festival, supported by the Armed Conflicts and Im/mobility grant showcased three films which focus on the themes of mobility/immobility of people living within conflict/heavily militarized zones, or while seeking asylum. Ahmed kicked off the event with some opening remarks before the three films were screened in succession. The event ended with a Q&A session with directors Prabhash Chandra and Gelare Khoshgozaran.

The film lineup:

Still from The Retreat. Image source

The Retreat (Artist: Gelare Khosgozaran, 22 min)

Synopsis: The film follows a group of people experiencing exile from different parts of the world as they share their stories and form bonds.

Read a conversation with creator Gelare Khosgozaran here.

Roqaia film poster. Image source

Roqaia (Director: Diana Saqib Jamal, 11 min)

Synopsis: After surviving a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, 12-year old Roqaia finds herself in the middle of a media frenzy as she deals with her trauma alone.

Still from Roqaia. Image source

Movie poster for I Am Not the River Jhelum. Image source

I Am Not the River Jhelum (Director: Prabhash Chandra, 95 min)

Synopsis: The film shows glimpses of the life of its young protagonist Afeefa living in Indian Occupied Kashmir.