Vechirnii Mykolayiv, with the support of NUJU, preparing the 1st issue of revived paper publication

“The support from the NUJU was the last chance to revive the newspaper. And we used it!” Olena Ivashko is the new editor-in-chief of the Vechirnii Mykolayiv newspaper.

Olena Ivashko shared with the NUJU press service plans for the revival of the newspaper, which had “died” twice since the beginning of the war.

The newspaper has been published since 1990. Initially, it belonged to the Mykolayiv City Council, then to the editorial team. For a long time, it was in demand among various categories of the population.

With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the newspaper was unable to publish, and its premises were looted. The newsroom lost its equipment. Two workers went to the front; many workers left the city of Mykolayiv. At the same time, despite all challenges, the publication’s website and social media pages continued to be updated.

“For the first time, it was possible to revive the newspaper in June 2023. Readers received the newspaper with great enthusiasm, especially those who, for various reasons, do not have access to the Internet. Back then, we got convinced that the city edition is loved and expected in Mykolayiv,” says Olena Ivashko.

But soon, a tragedy happened – the editor of the newspaper, Stanislav Kozlov, fell ill and died at a young age. This led to the second newspaper publishing shutdown. And so, in mid-April, the newspapermen decided to revive their publication again and elected their own correspondent of Voice of Ukraine, Olena Ivashko, as the new head.

“Thanks to the support of the NUJU and the financial assistance that the Union allocated for the publishing of the first issue, we have the opportunity to resume our publication in the paper version. The team realized that this was the last chance for recovery. If we miss it, the newspaper will die forever,” says Olena Ivashko.

The publication currently employs four journalists who are actively preparing the first issue scheduled for May 20. They are also establishing contacts with the city authorities. The “highlight” of the publication is the historical and archaeological subject, which readers perceive with interest. They also write analytical materials. Printing paper is already available.

“It is important that the renewed newspaper will be published in Ukrainian and will have the Ukrainian name Vechirnii Mykolayiv, and not Vecherny Nikolaev, as it was before,” says Olena Ivashko.

Since the beginning of the full-scale conflict in the frontline and de-occupied territories, with the assistance of the NUJU, about 30 local publications have been restored.