Ukraine is getting a lot of attention right now, unfortunately it’s because of the horrible bloodthirsty war that Russia started when they chose to invade Ukraine on Feb 24th. It’s absolutely necessary to talk about the war, refugees, supply lines for weapons and humanitarian aid, and of course the courage and the will to fight for freedom that us, Ukrainians, have. But let’s not limit the conversation around Ukraine to topics adjacent to the Russian invasion. We think it’s equally important for everyone to remember that Ukraine was, is and always will be an independent country that has a lot to offer to the world. Here are just a few of the plethora of reasons why Ukraine is cool.
1. Ukraine is an IT state
The IT business in Ukraine is booming. You’ve probably heard of Ukrainian companies like MacPaw, that makes apps for Mac users including Clean My Mac. You’ve also definitely heard of Grammarly that makes your English writing so much better. Yes, Grammarly was founded by Ukrainians. But more than that, Ukraine is the first country in the world that has launched digital passports for its citizens. Yup, we all have an app that has our passport, driver’s license, Covid vaccination certificate and other documents, you can pay taxes through it, and now we can even watch the Eurovision live-stream on that app. Everything is online and it works perfectly.
2. Famous Celebrities Wear Ukrainian Fashion Brands
Ukrainian fashion brands are so cool, your favorite celebs wear them. Here’s Kendall Jenner wearing a vegan leather suit by a Ukrainian brand CULTNAKED. And look, here’s Miley Cyrus and Madonna wearing hats by Ukrainian designer Ruslan Baginskiy. Do you recognize Charlotte from Sex and the City? Yeah those PJs are a ukrainian brand Sleeper. And yes that’s Doja Cat wearing a FROLOV dress.
3. Ukraine Feeds The World
We are the 6th largest exporter of wheat in the world, and fourth largest exporter of corn. By area of highly fertile black soil we are third in the world, so we grow quite a lot of produce. We actually used to export 40% of all the wheat we grow. And we are the world’s biggest exporter of sunflower oil. Ukraine played a very large part in the Feed The World program by being one of the largest contributors of food to countries in crisis. Now think about how the Russian aggression will influence the food situation in Ukraine and therefore, the rest of the world.
4. Ukrainian Production Companies Make Sick Commercials
You know that cool Apple/ Squarespace/ Nike/ Mercedes ad you’ve seen? Yeah that’s probably by the Ukrainian production company called Radioaktive Film. So for example, here’s an Apple Watch series 3 commercial by Radioaktive Film .
5. Ukrainian Musicians Are Fire
Ukraine was the first Eastern European country to win Eurovision twice. We won it in 2004 with Ruslana and her song Wild Dances. And later in 2016 Jamala won with her song 1944. Ukrainian folk band DakhaBrakha is known for mixing several music styles, and David Beckham used one of their songs in the ad of his brand House99. Alyona Alyona who’s a rapper, a feminist and and a body positive activist who’s also become the winner of EU’s Music Moves Europe in 2021.
6. Grammy Nominated Ukrainian Makes Your Favorite Music Videos
Muino is a Ukrainian Grammy Nominated director that made music videos for Cardi B – Up, Post Malone and The Weeknd – One Right Now, Lil Nas X – Montero, Harry Styles – All It Was. We bet you didn’t know this.