Stories of the Cultural Desant: Who Leads the Project and How It All Began?

Smart Solutions and “Cultural Desant” have presented the first story of a soldier from “Cultural Desant.” The hero of this episode is Viktor Furduy, a soldier who advanced from a volunteer to a company commander and is now the leader and host of the “Cultural Desant” mobile group, which works with wounded soldiers in hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

In early March 2022, Viktor voluntarily joined the army, driven by a desire to protect his country. His military career began with the defense of Zhulyany Airport. He spent a month there as a volunteer, after which he had the opportunity to continue serving in the 519th Battalion of the 1st Separate Brigade named after Ivan Bohun, a Special Operations Forces unit. Later, he became the acting company commander in a special forces brigade, with which they went through various “hot spots,” including Kherson, Vovchansk, Kupyansk, and others.

During one of the recovery periods, Viktor first saw how the “Cultural Desant” operates.

“At first, it was very strange because there was a war going on nearby, and here, the artists arrived. But after half an hour of the event, I felt something start to stir inside me. As a soldier, over time, emotions began to hide, like under armor. You constantly need to complete tasks, and unnecessary emotions are out of place. But the music, songs, and speeches touched me, and I realized that such events by the Cultural Desant awaken humanity in people and remind them that emotions need to be felt and experienced. These are not just entertainment; they work much deeper,”-  Viktor Furduy shares.

With his military experience, Viktor understands well the psychological challenges that soldiers face and knows how to find the right words to help them open up. He knows that many people in our country experience stress due to the war, and for soldiers, it is even more intense. Communication and the opportunity to talk about what the soldier has gone through and what worries them are important steps toward psychological recovery.

Viktor’s team organizes cultural events for soldiers in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. These events are aimed not only at providing entertainment but also at supporting the psychological well-being of the soldiers, helping them cope with emotional stress. Cultural Desant actively collaborates with psychologists to ensure that these events truly help improve the soldiers’ condition.

The project helps soldiers open up and supports them in the most challenging moments, reminding them that they are not only defending territory and people but also Ukrainian culture, which is the foundation of our nation’s existence.