KATERYNA PAVLENKO

Head of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Hostomel Community

Kateryna Pavlenko has held this position since 2021 — from the very beginning of the community’s formation during the decentralization reform in Ukraine. From her first days in office, her work has been focused on shaping the image and достойне presentation of Hostomel as a unique and independent community.

The year 2022 became a turning point — the war erased previous achievements and completely changed the direction of her work. Having survived the occupation and spent time in a basement with more than 20 people near the airfield, she personally experienced pain, fear, and at the same time the powerful unity of the Ukrainian people. On April 14, after the liberation, she returned to her hometown of Hostomel — a heroic city — to begin the process of rebuilding.

As a fourth-generation native of Hostomel, she has a deep emotional connection to the community, which defines her approach to work — through responsibility, memory, and love for her homeland.

Over the following years, her work focused on restoring cultural infrastructure and uniting the community. Culture became a key instrument of support for people — not only for preservation, but also for helping them return to a full and meaningful life.

Under her leadership, numerous artistic events, initiatives, and community gatherings have been organized, helping unite residents and open Hostomel to the world. Hostomel has welcomed international delegations, ambassadors, and volunteers, to whom the community expresses sincere gratitude for their support.

Today, Kateryna Pavlenko’s work represents the power of culture as a foundation for recovery, unity, and the future of the community.

“In Hostomel, even the rain smells different.”

This phrase has become a personal symbol of her journey and her sense of home.