Once Upon a Time at Veselka
by Andrei Zozulya-Davidov
Veselka [rainbow in Ukrainian] is probably the most known queer party hailing from Kyiv, Ukraine. Starting its journey back in 2018, it was the first-ever safe space for the Ukrainian LGBTQ+ community. Veselka is currently touring Europe bringing love, equality, freedom and the power of rave everywhere they go. I caught up with Stanislav Tweeman – the collective’s founder – during their performance at RSO Berlin.
Hi Stas, at which point in your life you’ve decided to connect your life with music and nightlife?
I went to my first party at the age of 14 and since that moment I knew that I wanted to connect my career with nightlife. I got my first club gig as a waiter at the age of 18, then switched to face control, PR and a couple of years later ended up doing Art Direction. From there to organizing my own parties was a matter of time.
How did Veselka come to life?
The concept itself was in my mind for several years. I postponed it several times for different reasons, economic, also my friends told me that putting together a queer party in Kyiv back in the day could put me in trouble. When we finally decided to go for it in 2018 there were no queer parties in Kyiv and the first party wasn’t profitable. It was still amazing because it brought together a community even though we had some troubles with the far-right groups.
What’s next for Veselka?
Veselka is launching its own label pretty soon. the first release will be by MRD. Also, besides our Ukrainian residents Ruslan Mays, Vani Vachi and myself, we are adding two new international residents Julian Muller and Mikey Woodbridge. You can catch all of us at the next Veselka parties in Munich (29.04), Leipzig (06.05), Kyiv (20.05) and New York (06.06).
Take a look at some images from the latest Veselka party in Berlin, photographed by The Great Fruit below:
Red September Fall/Winter 2023
paul pol
The New Zealand collective returns with a record that expands their lush, dreamy world while keeping intimacy at its core.
For Fall/Winter 2025, Barbour and Baracuta draw inspiration from the Northern Soul music movement.
Designer Eli Russell Linnetz has partnered with the technology company 1X for the launch campaign of NEO, the first humanoid robot made for the home.
The color appears in underwear, ready-to-wear, and simple everyday essentials.
Gonzalo San Román photographed by Alex Kalb and styled by Fet Hilario, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
This year, the fair brings together some 222 exhibitors from 33 countries, including 179 galleries and 43 publishers.
Like the collection, the soundtrack is both strong and fragile.
The pre-collection will be available in stores and online starting November 13.
We Are Spastor’s latest project is not about nostalgia but about revisiting the foundations of their identity.
Danish label Les Deux has opened its first flagship store outside Scandinavia, right in the heart of Le Marais, one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods.
The Louis Vuitton Foundation in New York is presenting a focused exhibition of two paintings by Gustave Caillebotte.
Fallou and Nathan photographed by Harri Gillan and styled by Geraint Donovan-Bowen, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
Balenciaga introduces its 2025 Skiwear collection. The campaign, shot by Aidan Zamiri, presents high-performance clothing and gear.
Creative Director Daniel Lee describes this as an invitation to a party for family and friends.
Evisu and Icecream have created a collaboration that connects two distinct worlds.
Off-White creative director Ib Kamara’s debut EP “Pop Romance” is a bold step into the world of music, and it feels as vibrant and daring as his work in fashion.
Carne Bollente’s new campaign, “The Boy Next Door,” features the multi-talented Ivan Ugrin.
Soho House and Vandall & Kerri recently held a Halloween dinner in Madrid.
AMIRI has become the official formalwear partner for the soccer team FC Barcelona.
HÉLAS presents its Winter 2025 collection as a clear progression of its identity.
Lucas Sapoznick captured by the lens of Max Jorquera, in exclusive for Fucking Young! Online.
Yerevan Fashion Week is a child. It has only celebrated three birthdays. But in its short life, it has learned to walk with a surprising firmness.
A photography exhibition in Paris this November will engage a sense beyond sight.
The first event was held to open the new BERSHKA store in San Sebastián.
Paul & Joe’s new collection, Tokyo Velvet, acts as a cultural bridge. It connects the elegance of Paris with the dynamic pulse of Tokyo. The line draws from the contrasts of the Japanese capital, pairing French chic… »
Take a look at ACROMATYX’s backstage, captured by Ángela Ibáñez during 080 Barcelona Fashion.
This 28-piece collaboration continues to reshape the visual and technical language of moto-racing apparel.
After a four-year pause, Babeheaven returns with ‘Slower Than Sound’, a dreamy, quietly confident EP that feels both intimate and cinematic.
The campaign, featuring team skater Morice Auethan, presents skateboarders as modern cowboys.
The Prada Winter 2025 collection returns to the brand’s core principles: contrast and contradiction.
