Under One Sky

For me, the planetarium has never been merely a place of work. It is a space where people can step away from everyday life, even for a moment, look up at the sky, and feel that they are part of something much greater. That is why I have always seen astronomy not only as a science, but also as a special form of dialogue between people, culture, and the Universe.

My professional journey began at the Kharkiv Planetarium, where I spent seven years of my life. It was there that I learned how to speak about complex things simply, emotionally, and sincerely. It was always important to me that people leave the programs not only with new knowledge, but also with a sense of wonder at the sky.

After the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, my life changed dramatically. Evacuating to Japan was not merely a move to another country, but also the complete loss of the world I was accustomed to. I did not know Japanese, had no acquaintances, and had no idea whether I would ever be able to return to working in a planetarium. At that time, it seemed to me that this chapter of my life had been left in the past.

But it was Japan that showed me how important human support can be. After I contacted JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, I began meeting people who worked at Japanese planetariums. They did not simply support me with words, but helped me gradually return to the work I loved. Thanks to these people, I was able to see another side of Japan—very considerate, warm, and humane.

Today, I work with planetariums and educational venues throughout Japan. Every journey, every program, and every meeting with people reminds me once again that a love of the starry sky can unite even those who speak different languages and grew up in different cultures.

In my work, I try to combine Ukrainian and Japanese perspectives on the sky by creating programs and projects in which science intertwines with stories, culture, and human emotions. It is especially important to me to build a cultural bridge between Ukraine and Japan through the starry sky, because it is something that belongs equally to everyone.

One of the most valuable areas of my work today is the Virtual Kharkiv Planetarium project. It is not merely a 3D model of the planetarium before the war. For me, it is a way to preserve the memory of the place where my journey began and to remind people that even after the darkest periods, we are capable of creating something new, supporting one another, and continuing to look up at the sky.

You can learn more about the project here:
https://www.stars4peace.com/virtualkharkivplanetarium

My experience has taught me one very simple thing: borders, languages, and distances become less important when people are united by a sincere desire to share light, knowledge, and dreams. And perhaps that is why, for me, the planetarium will always be not only a profession, but also a place where people learn once again to feel connected to one another and to the Universe.

Now I have like-minded people around me, and together with the Ukraine House Japan team, I can contribute to an important shared mission—introducing Ukraine to people in Japan. Each of us does this through the kind of activity she does best. That is why every visitor to our events can find something that is especially interesting to them.

I am sincerely happy to be part of such a wonderful team.