An exhibition of paintings and photographs depicting the development of the city’s maritime potential has opened in Mykolaiv

An exhibition featuring entries from the Mykolaiv Blue Economy Creative Awards 2026 competition has opened in Mykolaiv, showcasing creative works dedicated to the development of the city’s maritime potential.

The award ceremony for the competition winners took place at the Mark Kropyvnytskyi Central City Library, reports a correspondent for NikVesti.

Artem Vashchylenko, Chair of the Expert and Public Council and coordinator of Team Europe Mykolaiv, explained that the competition is being held with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine as part of the «European Maritime Day in My Country 2026» initiative and is part of the pan-European programme «European Maritime Day 2026».

According to him, a series of events leading up to European Maritime Day is currently taking place in Mykolaiv. He noted that this day serves as a key communication platform for Europe’s maritime regions, and Mykolaiv has been hosting the event in Ukraine since 2017.

«This year, as part of European Maritime Day, a major scientific conference dedicated to the blue economy has already taken place. Today we are opening the exhibition of the «Mykolaiv Blue Economy Creative Awards» competition. Last year, the competition was open only to photographers, but this year artists and graphic designers have also joined in. Through their creativity, artists can showcase their own vision of Mykolaiv as a centre of the blue economy and help build a cultural dialogue with European partners,» said Artem Vashchylenko.

The selection committee received 225 creative works from 89 participants. The largest number of entries were submitted in the «Photography» and «Painting» categories. The authors include professional artists, amateurs, young people and representatives of creative communities, who have used art to present their own vision of Mykolaiv’s future.

«These works focus on Mykolaiv’s traditional industries — port infrastructure, shipbuilding, sailing, coastal tourism, aquaculture and fishing. It is through their creativity that the artists convey their vision and feelings about the city,» added Artem Vashchylenko.

Inha Khorzhevska, Director of the Mark Kropyvnytskyi Central City Library, noted that the library is increasingly becoming a venue for cultural and artistic events. According to her, such events help to seek new ideas for the city’s development and shape a vision of its future.

«We are delighted that the library today is not just about books. It is a space for development, communication and new ideas. In recent years, Mykolaiv has been seeking new meanings and directions for development. Perhaps it is precisely such projects that help us see what our city could be like after victory and in the future in which our children and grandchildren will live,» said Inha Khorzhevska.

Dmytro Artym, head of the Mykolaiv regional branch of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, noted that despite the war, artistic events and exhibitions continue to be held in Mykolaiv.

«The exhibition features works by members of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, as well as amateur and professional artists. Works of various genres and styles are on display here — from realistic painting to contemporary creative experiments, as well as graphic art. It is a pleasure to see such a diversity of artistic approaches and themes linked to Mykolaiv and its maritime identity,» said Dmytro Artym.

Among the competition winners are two young participants in the «Amateurs» category, pupils of the Children’s School of Arts, as well as the winners in the «Professionals» category — Yuliana Bulbakh, Andrii Bulakh, Dmytro Artym, Ihor Martseniuk and Dmytro Mats.

Contestants received certificates and branded souvenirs, whilst the winners were awarded certificates worth 5,000 hryvnias to purchase art supplies.

Photo report

As a reminder, following a long hiatus, the charity festival «Jam Fest» took place at Pier 8 in Mykolaiv. This year’s aim of the event was to raise 100,000 hryvnias for the Ukrainian military.