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Alinka, the Kyiv-born Ukrainian-American DJ and label head of Twirl Recordings with Chicago Smartbar resident Shaun J. Wright has been announced as the first international resident of ∄.
The Berlin-based artist, who also DJs frequently at Berghain/Panorama Bar, has played at the club since its opening in 2019 and has notably returned to play regularly since the Russian full-scale invasion in February 2022. Her maiden appearance back in 2019 marked the first time she’d returned to her birthplace of Kyiv, after her family fled the Soviet Union in the late ‘80s as Jewish refugees to settle in Chicago, USA.
“It was a monumental and life changing moment for me because it was my first time back in Kyiv since I was eight years old. It felt like finding the missing piece to my story. I didn’t know what to expect, but when I experienced it for the first time, I knew this would be one of the greatest clubs in the world, and I fell in love with Kyiv and ∄. I came to play regularly after that and watched the club grow, and grew with it through many special sets. With each visit I have continued to feel more and more connected to Kyiv and ∄. From the first visit onwards, it’s felt like home and the most special place in the world for me,” Alinka shares.
Founded in 2019, ∄ (also known as K41) is a leading cultural institution in Kyiv. The space includes the internationally renowned K41 nightclub, a K41 Community Fund, a Concert Hall, and a Community Center. While the club currently operates under martial law restrictions (closing at 22:45), it remains a vital force in Ukraine’s music and cultural landscape. Every Saturday, K41 Club hosts events where all proceeds from the door go directly to the K41 Community Fund, supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, local volunteer initiatives, and team members who have joined the military. The Concert Hall presents a wide-ranging public program—from concerts and exhibitions to screenings, theatre, and lectures. The Community Center serves as a hub for grassroots initiatives, including a dance studio and the headquarters of the NGO LGBT Military.
The DJ/producer joins a local line-up that includes Recid, Nastya Vogan, Serge Jazzmate, and Vitalii Shevchenko. The club is committed to supporting artists whose sound shapes the scene and whose presence extends beyond the dancefloor. Residents are supported with resources that foster their creative work—from studio access to curatorial opportunities. In March, ∄ launched Curated By, a new event series that gives residents full creative control over line-ups and event concepts.
Deepening her long-standing connection with the club, Alinka will play a minimum of six times per year, inclusive of one curated event for ∄.
“This summer is the 25-year anniversary of when I started DJing. Coming back to Kyiv – especially since Russia’s full-scale invasion – to be able to give people a glimmer of hope and joy during the most of difficult times, and to celebrate the Ukrainian people’s resilience, has been the most meaningful and proud experience of my life. I’m in awe of what the club and the team continue to achieve and forever inspired by them. This residency truly means the world to me and is the greatest honor. I look forward to the future and what we will continue to build together.” – Alinka
“Welcoming Alinka as a resident feels completely natural to us. She’s been a consistent supporter of what we do for years — both as an artist and a friend. Beyond that, we hold a deep appreciation for her music — rooted in the legacy of Chicago house, it carries a raw, driving energy and emotional weight that resonate deeply with us. Her sound creates space for joy, defiance, connection, and change. It doesn’t just align with our agenda — it elevates and expands it. That same spirit runs through her relationship with us. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, her commitment has only deepened. She continues to return, play, and stay closely connected with our community, even in these extremely difficult and challenging times. This residency is our way of showing up for her, just as she’s always shown up for us.” – K41
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