‘You’ll never save the world with art, but it will help you survive’: artist calls on Ukraine to promote its culture

Living in Kharkiv, where Russian bombs fall every night, Pavlo Makov says his country needs its artistic mettle as well as military strength

Unlike younger men, who must stay in Ukraine in case they are mobilised into the army, Pavlo Makov, 66, could leave the country if he wanted.

Instead, the artist, one of Ukraine’s most senior and respected cultural figures, is living in Kharkiv, his hometown.

Situated about 18 miles from the Russian border, Ukraine’s second city suffers brutal missile attacks night after night – only to spring to life in the daytime, when parks, cafes and restaurants fill up with those brave or stubborn enough to cling on to life here.

Kharkiv is a city where cultural activity takes place on ground floors or – even better – underground, in basement bars, theatres and bookshops.