Through Talents for Ukraine, KSE Foundation recognizes talented Ukrainians who educate, create, and promote Ukrainian history and culture. This week’s winners include a physics teacher and head of the OnlinePhysicsSchool, who is advancing the national physics olympiad movement, as well as two co-founders of the MUR creative collective, who use theatre, music, and film to tell the story of Ukraine’s history and culture.
Maksym Pashko is a Physics teacher at the Ukrainian Physics and Mathematics Lyceum of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, an Honored Teacher of Ukraine, and a coach of Ukraine’s national physics teams. He has trained numerous winners of physics Olympiads at all levels. He founded the free OnlinePhysicsSchool, which prepares over 250 students annually, and established the NGO MAGNET to support talented students, teachers, and the Olympiad movement in Ukraine. He chairs the jury of the All-Ukrainian Physics Olympiad.
“When I set a goal, I make sure to bring it to life — no matter what challenges or obstacles stand in the way”, Maksym says.
Mykola Shmundyr is a co-founder of the creative collective MUR, an actor, cinematographer, and producer. Through theatre, film, and cultural projects, he creates contemporary formats that help reinterpret Ukrainian history and introduce it to new audiences. In the performance «You [Romance]», he played the role of the antagonist, demonstrating his acting talent and ability to deeply explore a character. He develops projects that combine art, documentary storytelling, and modern approaches to promoting Ukrainian culture.
“My inspiration is the journey I have already taken”, Mykola emphasizes.
Viktor Tkachenko is a music producer, composer, and co-founder of the creative collective MUR. He oversees the musical direction, composition, and sound production of projects that combine music, theatre, and the promotion of Ukrainian culture. He has contributed to MUR’s key works, including the musical album «You [Romance]», dedicated to the generation of the Executed Renaissance. Through contemporary sound and experimental formats, Viktor helps introduce Ukrainian literature to new audiences and creates cultural projects that bring together art, history, and modernity.
“Inspiration is something you shouldn’t wait for or search for. You need to have the desire, and then it comes in the process of working”, Viktor notes.
More about the Talents For Ukraine winners
