BOOTS ON THE GROUND, HANDS IN THE SOIL (Rahmenprogramm zu SHIFTING GROUNDS)

In the organizer's words:

UKR/NLD/GBR 2023, Documentary, 15 min

Director: Karolina Uskakovych

Language: OmeU (Ukrainian with English subtitles)

BOOTS ON THE GROUND, HANDS IN THE SOIL revolves around the remarkable spiritual connection between filmmaker Karolina Uskakovych and her charismatic grandmother Zoya, a proud Ukrainian pensioner who cherishes her anti-capitalist, rural lifestyle. In the winter of 2021, Zoya gives Karolina a packet of her harvested tomato seeds. However, the next growing season coincides with the devastating invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. Undeterred by the circumstances, Zoya and Karolina embark on a unique journey, cultivating their gardens together online. They take care of their plants and have important conversations about the importance of this age-old practice in times of war.

In her subsequent lecture, Karolina Uskakovych will provide insights into her artistic-scientific practice, in which she combines personal experiences with ecological issues and research. The focus will be on the role of urban gardening in the context of war - a starting point for an examination of local knowledge systems, ecological resilience and the transformation of post-industrial landscapes. Uskakovych's lecture will be held in English. It will be followed by an open Q&A session.

Cooperation partners: Forum Neun, Revolutionale - a project of the Peaceful Revolution Foundation & Cinémathèque Leipzig e.V.
The exhibition SHIFTING GROUNDS is funded by the Federal Agency for Civic Education as part of the 12th Festival Politik im Freien Theater.

ENG: BOOTS ON THE GROUND, HANDS IN THE SOIL centers around the remarkable spiritual bond shared by the filmmaker Karolina Uskakovych and her charismatic grandmother, Zoya, a proud Ukrainian pensioner who cherishes her non-capitalist peasant lifestyle. In winter 2021, Zoya presented Karolina with a package of her harvested tomato seeds. The next growing season, however, coincided with the Russian Federation's devastating invasion of Ukraine. Undeterred by the dire circumstances, Zoya and Karolina embarked on a unique journey of tending their gardens together online. They nurtured their plants and engaged in important conversations, shedding light on the significance of this age-old practice during wartime. (Ukrainian with English subtitles)

In her subsequent lecture, Karolina Uskakovych provides insights into her artistic and scientific practice, in which she combines personal experiences with ecological issues and research. The focus is on the role of urban gardening in the context of war - a starting point for an examination of local knowledge systems, ecological resilience and the transformation of post-industrial landscapes. Uskakovych's lecture will be held in English. It will be followed by an open question and answer session.

Cooperation partners: Forum Neun, Revolutionale - a project of the Friedliche Revolution Foundation, 12th Festival Politik im Freien Theater.

SHIFTING GROUNDS is supported by Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung as part of 12. Festival Politik im Freien Theater.