Podcast
From The Bloc
Hosted by Ella Natalia Hopkins · EN
From The Bloc is a new podcast that puts a spotlight on Central and Eastern Europeans living in the UK. Producer and presenter, Ella Natalia Hopkins, interviews musicians, actors, directors, photographers, presenters, dancers and other creatively-minded people from CEE backgrounds.
Podcast guests talk about their creative projects, inspirations and life in the UK. They also share funny stories about being a migrant in the Western world.
Through the authentic and optimistic stories, the podcast aims to bring Central and Eastern European culture closer to the British audience and build a stronger sense of community amongst the CEE diaspora.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
S3 EP7 - Polina
Oct 200:52:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode Ella is talking to Polina Belenchuk, a London-based collage artist, illustrator, and creative facilitator. Her work prioritises bold self-expression and celebrates individuality and creativity. She sees art as a tool for emotional healing and empowerment. Her creative workshops offer a supportive space to process pain, manage emotions and build confidence.Polina studied Graphic & Media Design at the University of the Arts London and since graduating, she has built a huge following on social media and connected with audiences worldwide.Podcast produced by DJ Dean Leon at Riddim Life Records. Marketing and creative content by Alexandra Baker and Anastasiia Hasparian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S3 EP6 - Aziza
Sep 900:56:21Tap to summarizeThis episode features Aziza, a London-based Uzbek artist working across textiles, sculpture, new technologies, experimental costume and performance practices. Her projects explore diverse subjects, including migration, displacement, social invisibility, identity, decolonisation, feminism, and loss of language. Aziza is also intrigued by the potential of XR/AR/VR and AI and often uses the new technologies as a tool in her artistic practice.Her work has been exhibited in prestigious galleries from China and Central Asia to Europe and America. She held art workshops at the Italian Biennale, London Somerset House, Victoria & Albert Museum and many many others.Podcast produced by DJ Dean Leon at Riddim Life Records. Marketing and creative content by Alexandra Baker and Anastasiia Hasparian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S3 EP5 - Marcelina Amelia
Jul 1700:54:12Tap to summarizeIn this episode Ella is talking to Marcelina Amelia, a UK based artist working with mixed media approaches to print, painting and drawing. Her work is often inspired by her Polish heritage, religious iconography and folk tales, as well as her childhood memories. It explores the power of dreams, spirituality, sexuality, and the human condition.Marcelina has been featured in Vogue, The NY Times, Der Spiegel, Art Maze and Create Magazine, just to name a few. She was also Saatchi Art’s featured ‘Artist in Spotlight’ and her work was shown at multiple exhibitions in the UK, including the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea and London Fashion Week.Podcast produced by DJ Dean Leon at Riddim Life Records. Marketing and creative content by Alexandra Baker and Anastasiia Hasparian.Guest's website: https://www.marcelinaamelia.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S3 EP4 - Alexander Khokhlov
Feb 26, 202500:40:35Tap to summarizeAlexander Khokhlov, a Russian photographer and artist based in London. He moved to the UK in 2022 to connect with the international progressive creative community. Many of Alexander’s projects are known worldwide and some of his artworks were purchased for top luxury interiors, including Hilton, Waldorf Astoria and Four Seasons hotels. In 2017, Alexander and his wife Veronica, launched a pet portrait project, called The Dog Show, which won multiple international awards. His further work and interviews were featured in media worldwide, including CNN, Huffington Post, The Daily Mail, Wired and many others.In 2019 Alexander was named the Photographer of the Year by the One Eyeland Annual Awards and acclaimed one of the best advertising photographers worldwide.Podcast produced by DJ Dean Leon at Riddim Life Records.Guest's website: https://www.alexanderkhokhlov.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S3 EP3 - Maria Springis
Jan 28, 202500:47:32Tap to summarizeThis episode features Maria Springis - a London-based Director and Producer, originally from Ukraine. She has founded an award-winning production company Dreams Into Reality and worked on sets of major future films like House of Dragons, Shadow and Bone, Fast & Furious, and The Crown. Maria has also directed and produced many internationally acclaimed documentaries and worked with famous people, from Vin Diesel, Francis Ngannou and Mike Tyson. Check out her story now!Podcast produced by DJ Dean Leon at Riddim Life Records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S3 EP2 - Sane Seven
Dec 8, 202400:56:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode Ella is interviewing an amazing Lithuanian photographer, Sane Seven.Sane is internationally known for her powerful and intimate portraits of influential women. She photographed cultural icons such as Helena Bonham Carter, industry pioneers like Dame Donna Langley and world leaders like Julia Gillard.Through her work, Sane amplifies women’s voices across all spheres and serves as a dedicated advocate for gender equality. She’s currently involved in initiatives that lead the way to a more inclusive future.Podcast produced by DJ Dean Leon at Riddim Life Records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S3 EP1 - Paulina & Elena
Nov 7, 202400:38:45Tap to summarizeSeason 3 is opening with Paulina Korobkiewicz and Elena Juzulenaite.Paulina is a Polish-born and London-based photographer and visual artist. Her work explores themes of cultural identity, memory, and the transformation of social spaces. She exhibited her work in the UK and internationally and has been featured in many important art publications and magazines.Elena is an artist and a community activist, also based in London. She comes from Lithuania where she studied figurative painting. In recent years she has developed an interest in group creativity and community engaged art. Since 2017 she has taken part in numerous projects across East London, facilitating educational workshops, creating resources for families and organising events.This Autumn Paulina and Elena are organising a new exhibition in London that will feature work from various Eastern European artists.Podcast produced by DJ Dean Leon at Riddim Life Records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S2 EP6 - Anka
Mar 21, 202400:34:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode Ella is talking to a London-based visual artist, Anka Dabrowska. Being a migrant from Poland, she adopted the position of an outsider to artistically respond to a sense of displacement increasingly common to people living in contemporary metropolises. As an artist, Anka works in drawing, illustration, sculpture and installation art, and has exhibited widely nationally and internationally. Podcast produced by DJ Dean Leon at Riddim Life Records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S2 Ep5 - Tim
Feb 29, 202400:43:43Tap to summarizeTim Darmenov is a young commercial and music video director from Ukraine. In 2023 he had to flee the war in his home country and moved to the UK. On the podcast he talks to Ella about how he adjusted to living in a new country and his first impressions of working in the British creative industry.Tim has directed commercial films for the world’s biggest brands, such as Apple, and created music videos for various artists, including Eurovision winners. He’s currently working on new, exciting projects and aims to deliver outstanding and provocative content to wider audiences.Podcast produced by DJ Dean Leon at Riddim Life Records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S2 Ep4 - Andriy
Dec 12, 202300:42:06Tap to summarizeAndriy Kyrychenko is a Ukrainian musician based in London. Originally from Kharkiv, he started his musical career as a singer and song-writer in a local rock band. Over the course of years he got involved in experimental electronic music projects and gained recognition among fans all over the world. On the podcast Andriy tells Ella how war separated him from his country and family and how he finds living in the UK.Podcast produced by DJ Dean Leon at Riddim Life Records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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