Ukrainian volunteers hold “clean-up raves” to restore and rebuild war-damaged homes

A group of Ukranian volunteers are organising “clean-up raves” to help rebuild homes and community spaces damaged from Russian attacks.

Repair Together, made up of mostly young Kyiv-based volunteers with others traveling from around Ukraine and abroad, have been hosting cleaning and repairing events at war-damaged sites soundtracked by techno DJs, the Associated Press reports. So far they’ve completed eight projects and repaired 15 homes in the villages of ​​Yahidne.

With Ukraine’s club scene at a halt due to the ongoing war, Repair Together invites ravers to fill that gap with volunteering to help their fellow Ukrainians. “Volunteering is my lifestyle now,” Tania Burianova, a Repair Together organiser, told AP. “I like electronic music and I used to party. But now it’s wartime and we want to help, and we’re doing it with music.”

Oleksandr Buchinskiy is one of the DJs who has provided a pulse for the clean-up raves. “These are all young people that still have a passion for life, but they feel pain and are very sad and angry because of the war,” Buchinskiy told AP. “But they feel a need to take part in this historical moment, and help people, and make Ukraine a better place with a smile on their faces.”

Repair Together’s future projects include hosting a building camp in Lukashivka, where they aim to build 12 houses for people who’ve lost their homes in the war.

Dance music communities in Ukraine and around the world have been organising in support of the country and its culture. Coming up this weekend, Kyiv club Closer is hosting its first of two fundraising events at Berlin venue Zenner. There’s also Underground4Ukraine initiative, which launched in March, and Odesa-based platform Kiiberborea’s mix series for Ukrainian aid. Plus, a slew of fundraising compilations from Muscut, Gimme A Break Records and eastbloc sound alliance. For more ways to support Ukrainian artists and music institutions, check out this extensive open-source spreadsheet. 

To support Repair Together’s efforts, donate here.

See footage from a recent event in Chernihiv and another volunteering project below.

Photo credit: Pasha Youz