Street art has long moved beyond its reputation as teenage mischief and has established itself as a recognised form of contemporary art. Walls and building facades now serve as canvases for talented artists who seek to brighten the city’s industrial landscapes. Kyiv has actively embraced this trend since 2014. Today, the city displays over 170 murals, including one ranked among the world’s top seven by the Dutch publication Street Art Today. Talented artists from different corners of the world have created incredible portraits, landscapes, and abstract works on Kyiv’s buildings. Most murals aim to draw attention to important topics and pressing social issues. Many carry encoded social messages that reflect contemporary society, often in the context of the ongoing russian-Ukrainian war.
During the tour, you will hear the story of how murals emerged, learn where street art originated and how it developed, and understand why artists create art on walls. An experienced guide will lead us through this open-air exhibition, showcasing the most remarkable works not only by Ukrainian artists but also by muralists from Australia, Brazil, Spain, and France, who have transformed ordinary walls in historic Podil into true works of art with a distinctive atmosphere.
Even in wartime, under the threat of missile strikes and prolonged air raids, Kyiv’s artistic front continues to assert the place, essence, and meanings of Ukrainian identity. Participants will have the unique opportunity to see recent murals with symbolic significance, including works by the talented Ukrainian artist Volodymyr Manzhos: The Wise Rule Over the Stars and Time for Change: Victory. The tour also includes murals dedicated to Ukraine’s youngest Hero and the legendary Ghost of Kyiv.
Duration: approximately 2.5 hours
Cost: 1,500 hryvnias per person
Preliminary registration is required and shall be carried out by 1 October 2025 at the Department for Culture and Tourism of the Media Center Directorate by phone: +38 (097) 258-40-19 or via email: skt.gdip@gmail.com
