GogolFest changes Kyiv program over security concerns, postpones major events until spring
Vlad Troitskyi announces changes to GogolFest program (Photo: Mariupol City Council)
GogolFest 2026, set to begin in Kyiv on Sept. 16, will change its program due to security concerns and postpone some large-scale events until spring 2027, festival founder Vlad Troitskyi said on Sept. 4.
Vlad Troitskyi said that because of the security situation in Kyiv amid near-continuous attacks by jet-powered strike drones, the team decided not to use most of the facilities at the International Center of Culture and Arts and to cancel events expected to draw large crowds.
In comments to the outlet, Troitskyi called creating large gatherings of people "madness."
The festival will retain its film screenings and visual arts program. The events will take place at the former Kinopalats cinema inside the International Center of Culture and Arts. The venue will host the Nahirna art residency and Art Squat, a project by an arts lyceum led by artist Alevtina Kakhidze.
"I understand that we have a certain responsibility to people, that we still give them hope that life goes on. But at the same time, we care about safety and understand that we have to be careful and responsible," Troitskyi said, explaining his decision not to cancel the festival entirely.
Events postponed until spring include the Angels of Freedom project, which was scheduled to take place at the site where the Museum of Dignity is planned to be built, as well as performances by Dakh Daughters, DakhaBrakha and Schmalgauzen.
This year, the GogolFest contemporary art festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary. It will be held in Kyiv for the first time in nine years. The scaled-down festival will take place Sept. 16-20.
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