Ukraine’s War Losses Weigh on Cultural Heart of Lviv

Lviv, Ukraine, Nov 17 – Nearly three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the city of Lviv, known for its rich culture and history, is feeling the heavy impact of the war.

Yaroslav Simkiv, a 67-year-old trumpet player, has become a familiar figure at military funerals, playing his trumpet at the services for fallen soldiers. What he once hoped would be a short conflict has turned into a prolonged tragedy, and his music has become the sorrowful soundtrack to hundreds of military funerals in the city.

Lviv, which was once a lively center for arts and culture, is now quieter. Many artists and performers have either joined the military or left the country, leaving behind empty theaters and galleries. The city, known for its vibrant creative scene, has been deeply affected by the loss of young people to the war.

The central square, once a place of music and art, is now filled with candles and flowers for those who have died in battle. Businesses have closed, and the everyday life that once defined Lviv is overshadowed by grief. Yet, despite the hardships, the people of Lviv continue to honor the fallen and hold on to hope that peace will one day return, allowing their city to rebuild both its cultural life and its spirit.