Council of Europe Hosts Screening of "Grey Bees" Based on the Novel by Andrei Kurkov

On May 06, a screening of the film "Grey Bees" took place at the Council of Europe—a profound and poignant adaptation of the novel of the same name by Andrei Kurkov, one of the most prominent contemporary Ukrainian writers, whose works have become an essential part of the European dialogue on Ukraine, freedom, and human dignity.

The film "Grey Bees" is based on the first part of Andrei Kurkov's novel. It was written and directed by Dmytro Moiseiev, starring Viktor Zhdanov and Volodymyr Yamnenko. The film was produced by the Idas International Film company with the support of the Ukrainian State Film Agency.

Opening remarks were delivered to the guests by Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe Mykola Tochytskyi, author Andrei Kurkov, and President of the MICT France - Ukraine Association Pavlo Pushkar.

"Grey Bees" is an extraordinarily subtle and humane story about life in the so-called "grey zone" of the Donbas region on the eve of Russia's full-scale military aggression. At the center of the plot is a solitary beekeeper, Serhiy, who remains in an almost deserted village between two frontlines alongside his bees. Despite the constant danger, the emptiness of war, and a sense of isolation, the protagonist strives to preserve his humanity, inner balance, and faith in goodness. Through this deeply personal story, the film articulates the experience of millions of Ukrainians whose lives have been forever altered by the war.

Guests of the evening remained in the hall until the final credits, engaging in lively discussions and sharing impressions after the screening. The film held everyone's undivided attention through its honesty, emotional depth, and quiet yet extraordinarily powerful truth about living alongside war.

We express our sincere gratitude to film producer Ivanna Diadiura and IDAS Films, as well as the MICT Association, for co-organizing the screening, their longstanding support of Ukrainian culture, and their consistent promotion of the Ukrainian voice in Europe.

Special thanks go to the partners of the event—the Ukrainian corporation "Obolon," one of Ukraine's largest beverage producers, and SHABO, a leading Ukrainian wine house with rich winemaking traditions—for supporting Ukraine's cultural diplomacy and showcasing Ukrainian products during the event.