Stories of the Cultural Landing: Humor as a Weapon

Smart Solutions and the Cultural Landing initiative continue a series of stories about Ukrainian servicemen who support their comrades on the frontline through creativity and art. In this episode on our Instagram, we introduce you to Roman Ramenev – coordinator of the Cultural Landing’s mobile groups.

Before the full-scale war, Roman had creative experience, but after the invasion began, he joined the Territorial Defense Forces. He says he couldn’t stay aside, as he has a son and wants him to be proud of his father. After sustaining an injury and going through rehabilitation, he joined the Cultural Landing team.

Roman shares stories that are impossible to listen to without emotion – memories from soldiers, mentions of children they haven’t seen in a long time, and their preparations for peaceful life after the war. Beyond physical resilience, war demands emotional endurance, and that’s where creativity and humor can become powerful tools of support — especially at the frontline.

“Humor is like an oxygen tank. It saves you. Because right next to you — are the horrors of war. On the frontlines, soldiers often shut down emotionally, and that’s natural — there’s no other way to survive there. But when the Cultural Landing arrives, music plays, smiles appear, we laugh and joke together — it becomes a moment that helps them feel human again. Life goes on, and we must prepare for returning. This is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of our mission,” — shares Roman.

Thanks to initiatives like Cultural Landing, soldiers are not only able to rest but also regain emotional balance — a key step toward reintegration into civilian life. Music and creativity help them realize that even in the darkest times, there is space for light and hope.