Architecture Festival Zürich
Q&A: re-THINK re-BUILD KHARKIV

FRIDAY, October 17

ZENTRALWÄSCHEREI ZÜRICH

20:30

Q&A: re-THINK re-BUILD KHARKIV

Discussion with invited guests about the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities

reTHINK – reBUILD: Ukrainian Contribution


Ukraine’s cities today are both archives of memory and sites of urgent transformation. The war has turned architecture into testimony, target, and tool – exposing the fragility of the built environment while revealing the power of design to imagine the future.


This program presents two films offering distinct yet interconnected perspectives:

  • What Shall We Do with These Buildings?(Jonathan Ben-Shaul, 2022, 28 min) – examines interpretations of Soviet modernist heritage in Kharkiv.

  • The Architects of Hope: The First Steps in Rebuilding Ukraine (Paul Thomas, 2024, 1h 15m) – follows Ukrainian architects as they envision the country’s reconstruction amid ongoing destruction.


The program also features a pre-recorded conversation with film director Paul Thomas and architect Kateryna Yarovaon the role of architecture during wartime.


Following the screenings, an in-person panel discussion & Q&A will bring together Swiss and Ukrainian architects to discuss experiences, challenges, and visions for rebuilding:

Panelists:

  • Prof. Dr. Vira Ohorodnyk (Staff at the Professorship for Materials and Device Engineering ETH Zürich)

  • Thomas Rohner (Ingenieur, Forscher, Wissenschaftler, Holzbauer)

  • Daniela Meyer (Architectural Journalist & Writer)

  • Iegor Vlasenko (Doctoral assistant, Laboratory of Urbanism)

Moderator: Dan Radion (Engineering Manager)


Timetable:

blue Cinema Abaton

Zentralwäscherei

  • 20:30– Informal Apéro for guests (doors 20:00), setup for panel discussion

  • 21:00– Screening of pre-recorded discussion with Kateryna Yarova and Paul Thomas

  • 21:20– Panel discussion & Q&A: reTHINK – reBUILD KHARKIV

  • 22:00– Closing thanks by Anastasiia Biletska


This initiative is presented by the Ukrainian Charity Alliance (Kharkiv) and curated by Anastasiia Biletska.


© Verein Architektur FilmTage