URBAN AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN WARTIME UKRAINE

Filmscreening “Boots on the ground, hands in the soil” and lecture by Karolina Uskakovych

BOOTS ON THE GROUND, HANDS IN THE SOIL centres around the remarkable spiritual bond shared by the filmmaker Karolina Uskakovych and her charismatic grandmother, Zoya, a proud Ukrainian pensioner who cherishes her non-capitalist peasant lifestyle. In winter 2021, Zoya presented Karolina with a package of her harvested tomato seeds. The next growing season, however, coincided with the Russian Federation’s devastating invasion of Ukraine. Undeterred by the dire circumstances, Zoya and Karolina embarked on a unique journey of tending their gardens together online. They nurtured their plants and engaged in important conversations, shedding light on the significance of this age-old practice during wartime. (Ukrainian with English subtitles)

In her subsequent lecture, Karolina Uskakovych provides insights into her artistic and scientific practice, in which she combines personal experiences with ecological issues and research. The focus is on the role of urban gardening in the context of war – a starting point for an examination of local knowledge systems, ecological resilience and the transformation of post-industrial landscapes. Uskakovych’s lecture will be held in English. It will be followed by an open question and answer session.

Stills © Karolina Uskakovych

SHIFTING GROUNDS is a collaboration between Forum Neun and Revolutionale – a project of Stiftung Friedliche Revolution. The event is being held in cooperation with 12. Festival Politik im Freien Theater. 12. Festival Politik im Freien Theater is a collaboration between Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung and LOFFT – DAS THEATER, Schaubühne Lindenfels, Schauspiel Leipzig, Theater der Jungen Welt and Westflügel Leipzig.

SHIFTING GROUNDS is funded by the Cultural Office of the City of Leipzig.