Angry Mavka emerged in the occupied city of Melitopol in early 2023. It is Ukraine’s only all-female Ukrainian non-violent resistance movement, and it was founded when three Ukrainian women came together to resist Russian brutality in the occupied territories. They named their group Mavka after the forest-dwelling female spirit from Ukrainian folk mythology who entices young men into the woods, and then “tickles” them to death. Beginning with just a handful of activists, Mavka now works across occupied Ukraine.
Mavka symbolizes the independence of Ukrainian women and defiance against the war crimes of the Russian army. Meanwhile, Moscow works on fear and oppression – and it believes that women are second class citizens, who belong in the home.
The movement uses creative art for sabotage, and during Russia’s fraudulent election campaign in the occupied territories, it issued its own series of banknotes that copy the Russian 200-ruble bill but are decorated with pro-Ukrainian images and slogans. Leaflets, graffiti, burning Russian flags, distributing pro-Ukrainian newspapers and even treating the occupiers to moonshine with laxatives are not all of the ways Mavkas remind the occupiers whose land they are on. Because a Ukrainian woman is an unprecedented force.
Over 10 thousand followers
More than 7000 copies of the newspapers distributed
Hundreds of women activists in at least 5 regions
Dozens of burnt Russian flags
Thousands of offended and angry occupiers after Mavka’s ‘tickling’ treatment
Mavka`s Diaries from the occupation
The Diaries of Mavka’s under Occupation is a way for women to tell their stories, share their feelings, hopes and pains. And most importantly, to be heard outside the occupation.
Mavka’s diary entries are published in the Telegram channel “Angry Mavka” since November 2023 twice a week and tell stories of resistance, faith, hope and everyday life of a woman under occupation.
All stories are anonymous, with only the region and date indicated and accompanied by relevant illustrations.
The exhibition presents the stories of Mavkas from the five occupied regions of Ukraine. Different women, different cities, but the same belief in returning home…
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