On January 6, Odesa hosted the festival 'STUSуємось', dedicated to the memory of the poet who remained unbroken even in tough times.
Igor Dvyhalo, a military man and musician, organized the event straight from a bunker, showcasing that culture can thrive despite all challenges.
This year, cities such as Odesa, Lviv, Dnipro, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, Kamianets, and others joined Kyiv.
The celebration in Odesa took place at the More Music Club, featuring an eclectic musical and poetic performance that presented Stus as a rebellious artist, relevant even today.
The evening began with electronic music, under which an 11-year-old boy recited a poem by Stus, giving the poet's voice to a new generation.
The program included a musical stand-up from the independent Kyiv theatre 'Between Three Columns', as well as mini-sets from Odesa bands across genres, from electronics to industrial metal.
Part of the music was composed directly on Stus's poems, while others served as reflections inspired by his texts. Between blocks, short facts about Vasyl Stus's life were shared—dates, events, and details often overlooked in official biographies.
The evening concluded with a joint carol 'Good Evening to You, Mr. Host'.
On January 6, during Epiphany, the carol echoed in unison across various cities in Ukraine.
