Beyond Retail: Roksolana Pyrtko on How Businesses Can Support the Public

In wartime Ukraine, the role of local business extends beyond mere economic survival; it increasingly involves sustaining the social and cultural fabric of the community. Roksolana Pyrtko, CEO of the Spartak and Roksolana shopping centers in Lviv, represents a model of professional leadership that is highly relevant today. Rather than relying on standard retail strategies, she has systematically integrated Ukrainian traditions and youth development programs into her commercial spaces, demonstrating how modern management can remain grounded in cultural roots.

Hereis a closer look at how these initiatives reflect a practical, culturally aware approach to business.

Normalizing Heritage in the Urban Rhythm

Roksolana Pyrtko’s strategy involves removing cultural practices from the confines of formal institutions and placing them directly into everyday urban environments. The goal is to make tradition accessible rather than performative.

- Winter Traditions: Following the traditional Malanka holiday, the Spartak mall integrated Koliadky (carolers) directly into the shopping galleries. Mrs Pyrtko noted this was a deliberate decision to ensure Ukrainian culture remains a natural, integrated part of daily city life rather than just a feature of official holidays.

- Easter Initiatives: Ahead of Easter, the Roksolana shopping center intentionally shifted its focus away from the typical holiday shopping rush. Instead, the mall hosted the "Renaissance of Vytynanka," an exclusive paper-cutting workshop led by renowned artist Daria Alyoshkina. According to Roksolana Pyrtko, the objective was to give residents a space to slow down and reconnect with their native roots in a relaxed setting.

Providing Stability for Children

A core component of Roksolana Pyrtko's management approach is utilizing commercial spaces to offer children a sense of normalcy and safety, acknowledging the heavy toll the ongoing war has taken on them.

- Holiday Sanctuaries: During the Christmas season, Spartak hosted a St. Nicholas Residence and a traditional Nativity scene (Vertep). Roksolana Pyrtko stated that giving children a chance to feel safe and reclaiming even a fraction of the childhood disrupted by the war justifies the resources the business allocates to these events.

- Consistent Engagement: The centers do not limit these efforts to major holidays. Spartak regularly organizes interactive zones and creative workshops, such as clay modeling, without requiring prior registration. Roksolana Pyrtko emphasizes that children require stable, positive emotions, and parents need accessible, safe environments to spend quality time with them.

Structured Investment in the Arts

Beyond community workshops, Roksolana Pyrtko has directed corporate resources toward formal support for the next generation of Ukrainian artists, treating corporate social responsibility as a tangible investment.

- Classical Ballet Residence: Spartak acted as an official partner for the "Classical Ballet Residence" project held at the Lviv National Opera. The initiative combined professional stage practice with an intensive educational framework and master classes for young dancers.

- Strategic Vision: Mrs Pyrtko framed this partnership as a direct investment in a shared future, aiming to associate her brand not just with leisure, but with the systemic support of young cultural talents.