Screening of the historical film “Yaroslav the Wise – Father-in-Law of Europe”

To mark Ukraine’s Independence Day, in cooperation with the association Watch Ukrainian (Dyvys ukrainske) , a screening of the historical film “Yaroslav the Wise – Father-in-Law of Europe” was held at Kino Sõprus.

The screening was part of the “Culture vs War” marathon and of the work of the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia, supported by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Estonia!

The event opened with the anthems of Ukraine and Estonia performed by Kateryna Chalova and Denis Priimägi , and a minute of silence for all those killed in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The film’s director, Olesia Nohina, attended the screening in person. She addressed the audience, saying she was glad to celebrate Independence Day here in Estonia with the Ukrainian community, and invited everyone on a cinematic journey a thousand years back in time.

“In those bright times, when the Russian state did not yet exist, the powerful state of Kyivan Rus flourished at the heart of Europe. In the 11th century, Grand Prince of Kyiv Yaroslav the Wise united the lands around Kyiv, and Ukraine, as the successor of Rus, should be proud of this princely era – an important page of our history.”

She also stressed that the film reminds us and the whole world that Ukraine is not only now going to Europe – it has always been there and played an important role a thousand years ago. “Yaroslav the Wise and his wife, the Swedish Viking princess Ingegerd, pursued an international marriage policy. Three daughters of the Kyivan princely couple became queens of three European countries – France, Norway and Hungary. It is important for us to remember our common European roots.”

The guests were also addressed by the Association’s PR director Inna Hordiienko, who congratulated everyone on Independence Day and noted that the film was chosen for this date for a reason, as it reminds us that Ukraine has always been part of the European space – spiritual, cultural and political.

“It is the story of an era when Kyivan Rus was one of the most powerful states in Europe. Yaroslav the Wise strengthened the international alliances of medieval Ukraine, forged unions with European countries and built a state on laws and unity. Today, in a time of great war, this connection with Europe is no less important to us. Just as statehood then rested on alliances, today we feel that the help of Europe and the world is part of our strength.”

At the same time, she stressed that the main support is Ukrainians themselves!

“Independence is not a gift. It is the challenge of proving every day that we are a nation of free people.

When Russia destroys our cities, every Ukrainian becomes a wall that holds Ukraine up. And this struggle has gone on for centuries. Yaroslav the Wise built the state on unity; today we defend it with the blood and courage of our heroes. But, as in those times, we can defend our state only by uniting. Because our strength is in unity!”

At Kino Sõprus, the guests were addressed by the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Ukraine in Estonia, Inna Shcherban!

She stressed that Ukrainians are worthy heirs of Yaroslav the Wise – from soldiers on the front line to artists, scientists and diplomats!

“This war has shown the world that Ukrainians are a nation of warriors, a nation able to stand up for itself even in the hardest times. We are proud of our Armed Forces – the descendants of princes, hetmans and Cossacks who now defend Ukraine and at the same time defend all of Europe. The aggressor is trying to do what it has failed to do for centuries – subjugate the Ukrainian people. But, like our glorious ancestors, we prove that it is impossible.”

In her view, the film embodies one important truth: without a strong Ukrainian state, the security of all Europe is impossible. “What our ancestors understood in the time of Yaroslav the Wise has today become obvious to the whole world. Ukraine is paying the highest price for freedom and defending not only itself but also European values, our common democratic choice.”

After the film, the audience gave director Olesia Nohina a storm of applause and asked many interesting questions. The discussion was long and lively.

During the screening, most of those present joined the Strichka (a digital community uniting caring Ukrainians around the world) campaign “Unity is….”, collecting signatures for a petition to the European Parliament “On the urgent admission of Ukraine to the EU to strengthen European security and contain the Russian threat”!

For the petition to carry weight, 1 million signatures of EU citizens and residents are needed.

The Association coordinates this initiative in Estonia and has collected signatures at its events many times. This time we collected 80 signatures at the screening, and we are grateful to everyone who added their voice!

After all, this petition is about the security, responsibility and future of all Europe. It tests whether the European Union can stand with those who are truly fighting for its values – not with words, but with weapons and lives. If Ukraine falls, others will have to fight with no time to prepare. So today this is not about “solidarity” but about necessity, political maturity and a strategic decision.

At the end of the event there was a festive raffle – the winners received valuable gifts from the organisers and the Association’s partners.

We thank the audience who came to the screening and everyone who helped organise and run the event: the ensemble “Dzherelo” (Viktoriia Pakholko, Inna Filipova, Larysa Kovalenko), Denis Priimägi, Kateryna Chalova, Allan Teetlaus, Yuliia Tryskavetska, Antonina Halkina, Oleksandr Storozhuk, Margarita Katrenko, Oleksandra Pshonovska and Yevheniia Mishchenko!

Special thanks to Kino Sõprus for the warm welcome!

And we are already planning the next screening! After all, the main mission of the Ukrainian Film Club is to promote Ukrainian cinema in Estonia and create a place where Ukrainians can come together, take pride in their cultural achievements and enjoy talking in their native language!

Thanks to Oleksandr Storozhuk for the wonderful photos!

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