Ukraine Foundation
Inspiring Change, Driving Impact
Ukraine Foundation is proud to highlight a landmark public diplomacy event hosted by our Vice President for Cultural Diplomacy, Alex Luna (Oleksandr Tyshchenko), at Ukraine House in Washington, D.C., featuring a distinguished conversation with former United States Ambassador to Ukraine, Ambassador William B. Taylor Jr.
Held at Ukraine House—one of the most important centers of Ukrainian civic and cultural engagement in the United States—the event brought together members of the Ukrainian-American community, policy professionals, diplomats, and supporters of Ukraine for an evening dedicated to dialogue, reflection, and international solidarity. Ukraine House serves as a key platform for advancing understanding of Ukraine in the United States and fostering meaningful engagement between American and Ukrainian stakeholders.
As moderator and host, Alex Luna guided a thoughtful discussion with Ambassador Taylor on the evolving geopolitical landscape, the enduring importance of transatlantic cooperation, and the challenges and opportunities facing Ukraine as it continues to defend its sovereignty and pursue its Euro-Atlantic future.
Ambassador Taylor, one of the United States’ most respected diplomats and long-standing advocates for Ukraine, offered valuable insights drawn from decades of experience in diplomacy, security policy, and U.S.-Ukraine relations. The discussion underscored the strategic importance of sustained international engagement and highlighted the resilience demonstrated by the Ukrainian people in the face of ongoing aggression.
For Ukraine Foundation, the event reflected the organization’s broader commitment to strengthening international partnerships, advancing informed public discourse, and creating opportunities for constructive engagement between policymakers, experts, civil society leaders, and the Ukrainian diaspora. Through initiatives such as this, the Foundation seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of Ukraine’s strategic importance and the global implications of the war.
Alex Luna’s leadership in convening conversations of this caliber continues to demonstrate the important role that cultural and public diplomacy play in strengthening Ukraine’s international presence. As Vice President for Cultural Diplomacy, he has consistently worked to build bridges between Ukraine and its international partners through dialogue, advocacy, and cultural engagement.
Ukraine Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to Ambassador William Taylor for his participation and to Ukraine House for providing a distinguished venue that continues to serve as a focal point for the Ukrainian community and its friends in Washington.
Washington & Orlando: “Chaplain (Here I Am)” Premieres in Orlando, Advancing Ukraine’s Cultural Diplomacy Through Faith and Resilience
On May 2, the short film Chaplain (Here I Am) has its U.S. premiere at the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando. This powerful film, shaped by the realities of war, faith, and human endurance, offers international audiences a unique and moving perspective on Ukraine’s ongoing struggle.
Co-produced by our Vice President for Cultural Diplomacy, Alex Luna, Chaplain (Here I Am) is a prime example of how Ukraine is increasingly using cultural storytelling as a strategic tool. Through its narrative, the film conveys the moral and human dimensions of the Ukrainian experience—offering a deeper, more personal view of the nation’s resilience.
At its heart, Chaplain (Here I Am) follows the transformation of profound personal loss into a calling for service. The story centers on a chaplain, emphasizing the importance of presence over answers. It portrays faith not as an abstract concept but as a lived experience of solidarity during the most challenging moments. The film is part of a larger movement in Ukrainian cinema that focuses on intimate, human-centered stories, adding emotional and ethical depth to the often-dominant geopolitical discourse.
The International Christian Film Festival, a leading platform for values-based cinema, offers an ideal setting for a film that explores themes of suffering, meaning, and hope. Its universal messages resonate far beyond Ukraine’s borders, highlighting the global relevance of the country’s journey.
“This film is about the power of presence in the face of loss. In Ukraine today, chaplains stand where words often fall short. Through this story, we aim to convey not just grief, but the quiet strength that enables hope to endure.”
After its premiere in Orlando, Chaplain (Here I Am) has been showcased in Washington DC, including a special screening at the Ukrainian House. These screenings reinforce the film’s role not only as a cinematic work but as a tool for cultural dialogue within diplomatic and policy circles.
In this pivotal moment for Ukraine, Chaplain (Here I Am) demonstrates the vital role of culture in amplifying the nation’s voice on the global stage—articulating the resilience, dignity, and enduring search for meaning that transcends the battlefield.
Kyiv: Alex Luna Discusses Chaplain (Here I Am) and the Power of Culture in War on Ukrainian Radio
In a recent interview on Ukrainian Radio, the national public broadcaster operated under Suspilne, Alex Luna discussed the creation of Chaplain (Here I Am) and the broader role of culture in shaping Ukraine’s narrative during wartime.
The conversation situated the film within the lived reality of Ukraine, where loss, resilience, and faith have become defining elements of the national experience. Luna emphasized that Chaplain (Here I Am) is not a conventional war story but rather an exploration of the human and spiritual dimensions that arise in its aftermath.
“This is not a film about answers. It is about presence—standing with people in their most difficult moments, when words are no longer enough.”
Focusing on the figure of the military chaplain, the film portrays a form of service grounded in empathy and moral responsibility. In doing so, it reflects a broader shift in Ukrainian storytelling, where the focus is increasingly moving from battlefield events to the inner lives of those affected by war.
During the interview, Alex Luna also stressed the importance of cultural diplomacy as a strategic pillar in Ukraine’s international engagement. As both an artist and VP of Cultural Diplomacy at the Ukraine Foundation, he highlighted how film, music, and visual storytelling can convey aspects of the war that remain inaccessible through policy discourse alone.
“Culture allows us to speak a universal language. It creates understanding where statistics and reports cannot—because it connects people through shared human experience.”
The conversation also touched on the international journey of Chaplain (Here I Am), including its upcoming presentation at the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando. Luna framed the film’s participation as part of a broader effort to bring Ukraine’s voice to global audiences through values-based platforms that address questions of meaning, suffering, and hope.
As Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty, the interview highlighted a parallel front—one where culture plays a critical role in shaping perception, building empathy, and reinforcing international solidarity.
Through projects like Chaplain (Here I Am), Ukraine’s cultural figures are not just documenting history—they are helping the world understand its human significance.
Listen to the full interview here:
Washington: Ukraine Foundation leads the charge to foster constructive engagement over the Ukrainian Week in Washington, D.C.
This pivotal week brings together key stakeholders to amplify dialogue on Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and democratic resilience. Our Vice President Alex Luna led direct engagements with select members of Congress including Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL). Along with our International Advisory Board member, Lt Col. (Ret.) Dr. Iryna Andrukh, he had a warm and thoughful exchange with H.E. Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna.
This collaborative approach aims to ensure Ukraine’s priorities are effectively communicated to policymakers and decision-makers, reinforcing the global partnership and support for Ukraine’s future.
Alex Luna, who also serves as Advisor to the Chief Negotiator and Ombudsman of Ukraine, Dmytro Lubinets, and to the Chairman and Acting Head of Ukraine’s Space Agency, Volodymyr Mikheyev, had an impactful meeting with representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Department of State, the Office of Space Commerce, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Along with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Iryna Andrukh and several members of Ukraine Foundation’s team, Alex Luna discussed a number of policy issues where the United States and Ukraine could strengthen their bilateral relationship.
The Foundation does not engage in lobbying activities per se and remains committed to a non-partisan approach that encourages productive, informed discussions, focused on advancing shared interests and strengthening international partnerships.
Sofia: Somnia Disaster: Alex Luna’s Haunting Exhibition Arrives in Sofia
Renowned visual artist Alex Luna continues his powerful exploration of the Somnia Disaster with a European tour, shedding light on the haunting legacy of this enigmatic event. Following its impactful debut, the exhibition makes its second stop in Sofia, Bulgaria, where it has already garnered significant media attention. Through a compelling blend of visual storytelling and immersive installations, Luna invites viewers across Europe to confront the surreal and often unsettling dimensions of memory, loss, and collective trauma.
Somnia Disaster Featured in
The accidents in Chernobyl and Fukushima are the focus of the documentary exhibition “The Catastrophe of Dreams”, which was opened at the National Assembly. The exhibition includes nearly 40 photographs by Alexander Tishchenko (Alex Luna) and Shigeru Yoshida, which touch on the psychological and aesthetic consequences of two of the largest nuclear accidents in the world. The event was organized on the initiative of MP Lyuben Dilov Jr. and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and the Bulgaria-Ukraine Friendship Group Hristo Gadzhev.
The exhibition is important for all Bulgarians because our country was one of the countries most affected by the Chernobyl accident, said Lyuben Dilov Jr. According to him, this is also the first artistic bridge of its kind connecting Chernobyl and Fukushima. Lyuben Dilov Jr. pointed out that after the horrific incidents, Japan has created another engineering miracle with the construction of a 400-kilometer wall with an average height of 15 meters to protect the coast, and the Ukrainian people have turned Pripyat and the Chernobyl region into one of the most exotic places in Europe. “The catastrophe of dreams” gives birth to new dreams, not despair, he added. Lyuben Dilov Jr. also recalled the words of Shigeru Yoshida, who says that only the one who knows the pain can cure it and protect others from it.
For his part, one of the authors of the documentary photographs, Alexander Tishchenko (Alex Luna), noted that in these days when the world is facing a nuclear war, there is no higher value than human life, because it defeats any catastrophe. The opening of the exhibition was also attended by MPs, public figures, representatives of the diplomatic corps and journalists.
У Болгарії відкрилася фотовиставка «Somnia Disaster»
У Народних Зборах Республіки Болгарія 18 червня відбулася церемонія відкриття фотовиставки «Somnia disaster» – спільного артпроєкту українських та японських митців, присвяченого ядерним трагедіям у Чорнобилі, Фукусімі, а також Хіросімі та Нагасакі.
Як передає Укрінформ, про це у Фейсбуці повідомило посольство України в Болгарії.
Експозиція унікальним чином об’єднала творчу команду під керівництвом Олександра Тищенка (Alex Luna) та японського фотографа Шіґеру Йошіди. Їхні роботи покликані привернути увагу міжнародної спільноти до проблеми протидії ядерним загрозам та спонукати до посилення міжнародної підтримки України.
Виставку вдалося реалізувати за підтримки голови Групи дружби “Болгарія – Україна” болгарського парламенту Христо Гаджева та депутата Любена Ділова.
Читайте також: Болгарія продовжила до березня програму підтримки українських біженців
Під час церемонії відкриття болгарські депутати та гості заходу хвилиною мовчання вшанували пам’ять жертв російського ракетного обстрілу України, що стався 17 червня. Внаслідок цього терористичного акту загинуло 28 людей, а понад 130 отримали поранення.
Нагадаємо, 12 червня на площі перед Народним театром ім. Івана Вазова у Софії відкрилася цифрова фотовиставка «Україна: любов + війна» – арт-документальний проєкт, який уперше представлено у Болгарії.
Somnia Disaster Featured In The Bulgarian Media
Kyiv & Sofia: Alex Luna Taking Somnia Disaster -A Chernobyl-Fukushima Cultural Bridge- Across European Parliaments
Somnia Disaster Featured In ICTV News
Somnia Disaster Making the News in Korotko Pro
“Somnia Disaster”: Alex
Luna exhibition opened in the Verkhovna Rada
YEVHEN GORIN
April 29, 2025, Kyiv – On the days of the next anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, a unique art and documentary exhibition “Somnia Disaster” was solemnly opened in the building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, under a glass dome. It became one of the central events of this year’s commemorative events and a symbolic reminder of the value of human errors and the responsibility for the future.
April 29, 2025, Kyiv – On the days of the next anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, a unique art and documentary exhibition “Somnia Disaster” was solemnly opened in the building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, under a glass dome. It became one of the central events of this year’s commemorative events and a symbolic reminder of the value of human errors and the responsibility for the future.
The exhibition takes place during the regular session of the parliament.
The Somnia Disaster project combines art, photography, film materials and modern audio installations in Ukrainian and German. Only the photographic part of the project, created by a prominent Ukrainian photo artist, a representative of the Kharkiv School of Photography, Vladyslav Krasnoshchek, is presented in the parliament building.
The photos are not only the iconic locations of the Exclusion Zone, but also the same age as the tragedy: the author of the project, opera singer Alex Luna, and Ukrainian supermodel Snizhana Onopko.
Today, the exhibition “Somnia Disaster” is shown in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Its ideologist Alex Luna, having implemented the project in 2021, sought to emphasize the fragility of life and the importance of remembering it. Probably, he had a “artist’s premonition,” says Tetiana Tsyba, MP and head of the subcommitteee on the protection of the rights of children who suffered as a result of military aggression. After all, today the relevance of this topic has not decreased, but on the contrary, it has acquired a new sound.
The exhibition “Somnia Disaster” will be available for viewing in the Verkhovna Rada during the week. From June 18, the exhibition will be hosted by the Parliament of the Republic of Bulgaria.
At a time when the world stands precariously close to the threat of nuclear catastrophe, Somnia Disaster emerges as a powerful cultural project that unites two of the most devastating nuclear tragedies in human history: Chernobyl and Fukushima. This exhibition serves not only as a bridge between cultures, but also as a stark reminder of our shared responsibility to prevent such disasters in the future.
Somnia Disaster is being presented in a highly symbolic setting — the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian Parliament) — from April 28 to May 2, during an active parliamentary session. Following this, the exhibition will move to the Parliament of Bulgaria from May 14 to May 21, where a major opening ceremony will be held. The event will bring together the Bulgarian Minister of Energy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, members of parliament from Bulgaria and Ukraine, as well as the Ambassadors of Japan and Ukraine, underlining the urgent international relevance of the project.
In an era when nuclear threats loom larger than ever, Somnia Disaster reminds us that memory, dialogue, and cross-cultural cooperation are vital for a safer future.
Listen to the Somnia Disaster podcast on Spotify
We are currently experiencing the greatest nuclear threat, which threatens not only Ukraine, but the entire world. What does it really look like in Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant? What is the probability of a Chernobyl 2.0? This is what liquidators, military and scientists discuss in this podcast.
Watch Somnia Disaster’s making of featuring Snizhana Onopko and Alex Luna filmed on location