Yellow Van Stories
Yellow Van Stories is an interview podcast hosted by the photographer and filmmaker Bastian Fischer. He speaks to people across the globe about the creative power of culture in times of crisis.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the topic of the second season became very clear to us. We decided to invite Ukrainians into the van to share their stories with us and to learn more about Ukraine’s cultural identity. Because, too often, it has been appropriated by a chauvinistic Russian narrative. The same narrative that now serves as a pretence to the war.
Supporting Ukraine, in our opinion, therefore has a very strong cultural dimension as well. And, as an added value, we will be learning about a culturally rich and abundant country in the heart of Europe.
We are keeping a window seat on Thursdays at 9 pm CET.
New to Yellow Van Stories?
13
July 11, 2024
Roman Pilipey "The Ultimate Price"
Roman Pilipey is a Ukrainian photojournalist based in Kiyv. The first main event he witnessed as a photographer was the Euromaidan revolution in Kyiv, 2013-2014, when Ukraine showed its clear and unmistakable determination to be a part of Europe. It is no coincidence that the invasion and annexation of Crimea by Russian military happened only a few months later. From 2014, Roman was covering the, then still isolated, war in eastern Ukraine, and, in the same year, became the staff photographer f
1
July 7, 2022
Mariia Ponomarova "Perception Of Strength"
In our first episode of the new season, our guest is film director, screenwriter, and creative producer Mariia Ponomarova (1991, Kyiv). Mariia studied film directing and screenwriting at Karpenko-Karyi Kyiv National University of Theatre, Cinema & Television in Ukraine graduating cum laude in 2013. Focusing on character development in film during her course, Mariia graduated from the Master of Film artistic research program in 2016 at the Netherlands Film Academy. Short fiction and documentary
2
July 14, 2022
Oleksii Isakov "Breaking The Stereotypes"
Oleksii Isakov holds a Master in Intercultural Communication Studies and a Bachelor in Linguistics and Translation Studies. His main focus is literature and film. He was born in Odesa and has been living in Germany for the last ten years working at the European-University Viadrina in Frankfurt a.d. Oder - the only university in Germany with a professorship for Ukrainian History, which says a lot about Ukraine's perception in Germany - and throughout the world. In preparation for our conversation
13
Feb. 25, 2021
STEPS "The Value Of A Kind Word"
Shelter and housing is taken for granted for most of us. And when we speak of lockdown we generally think of it as an isolation within our own very comfortable four walls. But what about our fellow humans who are not fortunate enough to have a place of their own, who don’t have this very basic need covered? How does the pandemic beat down on their already unimaginably harsh reality? Going through a second and third lockdown, it is worth remembering that there are others less fortunate than us -
6
Dec. 10, 2020
Engeli Haupt, "Signature Dish"
Engeli Haupt was born in South Africa and grew up in the capital Pretoria. She studied linguistics at UNISA, the biggest university of the country, that counts amongst its alumni Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. 16 years ago Engeli moved to Mexico due to her love for the Spanish language and, most of all, due to her adventurous and curious nature. During this time, she has been working in English language teaching in various roles. At the moment she works as a materials writer, i.e. she develops
Recent Episodes
13
July 11, 2024
Roman Pilipey "The Ultimate Price"
Roman Pilipey is a Ukrainian photojournalist based in Kiyv. The first main event he witnessed as a photographer was the Euromaidan revolution in Kyiv, 2013-2014, when Ukraine showed its clear and unmistakable determination to be a part of Europe. It is no coincidence that the invasion and annexation of Crimea by Russian military happened only a few months later. From 2014, Roman was covering the, then still isolated, war in eastern Ukraine, and, in the same year, became the staff photographer f
12
Jan. 11, 2024
Iryna Schneider "Ein Amalgam aus Großstadt und Natur"
Today is a double premiere! For the first time I made an actual home visit and I conducted the entire interview in German! My apologies to all English native speakers, the next one will be for you again as well. Meine Reisegefährtin dieses Mal ist Iryna Schneider. Sie betreibt eine eigene Marketingagentur seitdem sie aus der Ukraine nach #München umgesiedelt ist. Über sich selbst sagt sie: “Tagsüber bin ich Marketingmanagerin und abends Künstlerin.” Wir unterhalten uns über ihre Kunst entlang de
11
June 29, 2023
Mykola Kondrashev "Choosing Ukraine"
Mykola Kondrashev is an award-winning cinematographer and photographer based in Kiyv who also holds a master's degree in psychology. With his experience on a wide array of projects including commercial music videos, feature films, and television series, Mykola has honed his skills to create captivating and powerful visuals. Mykola’s impressive portfolio of projects spans the globe and he has worked with huge names like Coca-Cola, Radisson and Nescafé. Mykola’s dedication to his craft is evident
10
May 11, 2023
Gayane Arushanian "Chaos & Harmony"
Gayane Arushanian is a multidisciplinary artist from Kyiv. She is the founder of the School of Experimental Art in Kyiv and the G-ART STUDIO in Zaporizhzhia. Gayané is not only an outstanding artist, but she also has a Master's in Urban Construction and Design and Economic Cybernetics from the Zaporizhzhia State Engineering Academy. Her mathematical knowledge and her artistic eye and love for colour enable her to create shapes, forms and colour patterns oscillating between harmony and chaos. She
9
April 6, 2023
Anastasiia Sanzharovska "Day By Day"
Anastasiia Sanzharovska is a producer, director, and video editor from Ukraine. She originally studied system analysis and maths but turned to her real passion film soon after finishing her studies. She has been working as a producer, director, 1st AD, and video editor ever since. In February 2022, Anastasiia was in Egypt for a 3-week holiday but got stuck there due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She has been living there ever since. We'll talk about her early beginnings in filmmaking, why sh
8
March 30, 2023
Andriy Dubchak "Dignity"
Today with us in the Yellow Van is Andriy Dubchak, a correspondent and photographer for Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty as well as the founder of the interactive media platform Donbas Frontliner. He specializes in telling the stories of soldiers and civilians caught up in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. He received a 2022 Free Media Award from the Fritt Ord and ZEIT foundations for his "courageous professional reporting from battle zones." Andriy also received a Lovie award for coverage of
For our latest news and developments, sign up for our newsletter - delivered straight to your virtual doorstep by Fonsi himself.
Listen On
Support On
Recent Blog Posts
April 22, 2021
Democracy
To strengthen a free, pluralistic, and democratic society, we have to understand opposition as its necessary foundation.
March 3, 2021
New Beginnings
I produce podcasts now. It offers me a lot of insight about myself. About keeping the ego small and only just big enough. This is Maugham‘s razor‘s edge. I learn that I talk too much despite also being a decent listener. Some might think…