The challenge of getting refunds for cultural events in Ukraine
In Ukraine, a heated debate continues over how to recover ticket costs for cultural events interrupted or canceled due to air-raid alerts. By examining the perspectives of event organizers, legal experts, and attendees, it becomes clear that no unified, effective compensation system or clear set of rules exists, which complicates the entire process. It is worth noting that the inability to insure against war-related risks further compounds this issue.
The difficulties of staging concerts
Putting on concerts under current conditions is a daunting task. For instance, the electricity bill for a single evening at the Palats "Ukraina" ranges from 70,000 to 200,000 Ukrainian hryvnias, highlighting the heavy financial burden on organizers. To reduce the risk of cancellations, concerts now often start one to two hours earlier than they did before the war.
Andriy Vydysh notes: 'To minimize the chance of a concert being canceled or postponed, we advise organizers to start no later than 5:00 PM on weekends and 6:00 PM on weekdays, leaving a buffer in case of a prolonged alert.'
According to available data, if 70–80% of an event has already taken place and an air-raid alert lasts more than two hours, the event is generally considered to have been held. Tetiana Hlovatska explains: 'If the majority of the event—70 to 80 percent—has already occurred, and then an air-raid siren sounds that lasts over two hours, that event is typically deemed completed.' This practice raises concerns among attendees, especially given the persistently high risk of event disruptions.
Court rulings show that spectators can sometimes recover their money through litigation. For example, in May 2025, a citizen named Viktor M. won a case for 2,700 hryvnias for tickets to a concert by the Sukhishvili ensemble. Additionally, in October 2020, singer Olya Polyakova planned a concert titled "Queen of the Night. Encore Show!" at the Palats Sportu. Plaintiff Olena T. finally received a court decision in late December 2025 ordering a refund for tickets to that event, with the court awarding her 3,190 hryvnias for the ticket cost and an equal amount in penalties.
However, not all cases end in the attendee's favor. LLC "Atom Entertainment UA," the organizer of a concert by the band Kino, lost a lawsuit brought by plaintiff Natalia Ch., who had bought two tickets worth nearly 6,000 hryvnias for a Kaleo concert. Legal proceedings are becoming the only avenue for refunds, but according to Dmytro Feliksov, 'there is currently no convenient or effective mechanism for recovering funds—other than going to court. And very few people take that route.'
The impact of war on cultural events
Cultural events, particularly concerts, are also suffering due to air-raid alarms. Cinemas are experiencing a sharp drop in attendance. Viktoria Dobrovolska states: 'Cinemas are hit very hard by the alerts. It is difficult to calculate the total losses we incur because of this.' Meanwhile, the only official guideline is the ticket policy issued by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, which governs event cancellations and refunds. However, as experts point out, there is no law that actually bans holding events during alerts.
Despite all these challenges, organizers report a growing demand for cultural experiences. A manager at Palats "Ukraina" emphasizes: 'We see that with each passing year and each new season, people are buying more tickets.' This suggests that cultural life can recover, but the issues of compensation and refunds remain unresolved.
The problem of refunds for canceled or interrupted cultural events in Ukraine underscores the urgent need for clear rules and compensation mechanisms. Amid war and constant air-raid warnings, organizers face new hurdles, yet the rising demand for cultural events shows that society is eager to revive its cultural scene. Addressing the compensation question must become a priority to ensure stability in this sector.
As the situation for cultural events remains precarious in Ukraine, organizers face numerous challenges beyond just ticket refunds. The need for safeguarding invaluable cultural assets has become increasingly urgent, prompting initiatives like the establishment of secret storage sites for museum treasures in Western Ukraine. These efforts highlight the broader context of preserving national heritage amidst ongoing turmoil.