- December 13, 2025
- 10:42 am
- Video
January 12, 2025 on the air of Lera Galitsina’s program on “Best Radio of Israel” featured a special guest — artist, animator, and cultural attaché of the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine Regina Shafir.
In the interview, she talked about her unique mission in Ukraine, the challenges of war, the promotion of Israeli culture, and personal experiences.
Regina Shafir is the wife of the Israeli ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky. Their children serve in the Israel Defense Forces, highlighting their connection to both countries.
Despite difficult circumstances, she continues to actively strengthen cultural ties between Israel and Ukraine by organizing lectures, exhibitions, and other events.
Painting Bomb Shelters and Working During the War
One of the most emotional moments of the interview was related to a project implemented by Regina Shafir and her colleague Zoya Sever. In November 2024, the artists transformed the bomb shelter of the children’s hospital “Okhmatdet” in Kyiv, turning it into a bright and cozy space.
We wrote about this – “Israeli Artists Transformed a Bomb Shelter in Kyiv’s Children’s Hospital ‘Okhmatdet’: Art for Children During the War”
“We wanted to give children the opportunity to escape, even in such difficult conditions. Art helps to cope with anxiety and fear,” shared Regina.
Israeli Culture in Ukraine
Despite challenging times, Regina actively works on promoting Israeli culture. In the interview, she detailed the “Month of Israeli Series” held in Ukraine at the end of 2024.
“Israeli culture is unique in its sentimentality. Even military and dramatic plots always touch the depths of the soul,” she noted.
Also discussed were:
- The role of new immigrants in cultural diplomacy.
- The complexities of interaction between Israeli and Ukrainian cultural environments.
Criticism of Israel and Personal Experiences
Regina openly expressed her views on the criticism directed at Israel by Ukrainians, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding.
A particularly touching moment was when Regina talked about her sons serving in the IDF, participating in military actions. “Death has become too close. It makes you appreciate every moment of life,” she shared.
Art and Public Opinion
An important part of the interview was Regina’s reflections on art in wartime conditions and the changing perception of the artist by society. She raised topics such as:
- Confronting public opinion.
- The impact of artificial intelligence on creativity.
- Time management and work on the cartoon “Hatul Tov.”
“An artist remains relevant always because art is a reflection of life and history,” emphasized Shafir.
Regina Shafir’s Cartoons
Regina detailed her cartoons, including works that address important social and cultural themes. Among the mentioned projects are her blog and animations that have already gained popularity in Israel and beyond.
Personal Notes: Life on the Move and the Inner Child
The interview concluded with light and heartfelt topics. Regina talked about the life of diplomats, her children, and how she manages to maintain her inner child despite all the challenges.
“I feel like a citizen of the world. And this helps me understand others and convey my experiences through art,” she shared.
Conclusion
Regina Shafir is a vivid example of a person who builds bridges between cultures through art, even in difficult times. Her creativity, personal example, and cultural mission strengthen ties between Israel and Ukraine.
You can learn more about Regina’s cartoons and her projects on her channel: https://www.youtube.com/@regishafir
Our website NANews — News of Israel continues to cover stories of people uniting our countries and shares unique examples of cultural interaction.
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