Ukrainian Refugee Launches Photography Business, Continues Creative Pursuits in Luxembourg

Ukrainian refugees who were forced to flee their homeland due to Russia's full-scale invasion continue to rebuild their lives and establish businesses in Luxembourg; Chronicle.lu explores their experiences and challenges in this series.

42-year-old photographer Kateryna Mostova has been forced to leave her home twice due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The first time was in 2014, when her hometown of Luhansk was occupied, prompting her to relocate to Kyiv. She focused more on commercial photography, as the market was more developed, but also worked on artistic projects, such as underwater shoots and other creative endeavours. In February 2022, she experienced the full-scale invasion in the capital of Ukraine.

As she recalled, at the time, she did not consider leaving the country: “After the full-scale invasion began, I received invitations from friends to go abroad. However, having witnessed the war in 2014, I understood what the Russian forces were capable of. I felt I could be more useful by staying in Ukraine, so I remained for the first year. For nearly two months, I stayed near Lviv, but later returned to Kyiv, where I became actively involved in volunteer work. Surprisingly, there was also high demand for photography - people needed business portraits and other professional images. Returning to Kyiv brought an unexpected increase in work alongside my volunteer efforts.”

Everything changed with the large-scale missile strikes on Kyiv that began in October 2022, leaving many Ukrainians without electricity and heating during the winter due to subsequent power outages. During this period, according to Kateryna, demand for her photography services nearly disappeared. “My move to Luxembourg in 2023 was not entirely planned - it was somewhat spontaneous. Under different circumstances, I might not have accepted the offer, but at that time, Kyiv was under constant missile attacks, there was no heating or electricity and the lack of work ultimately led to my decision. Adjusting to Luxembourg was challenging - adapting to a multilingual environment, the high cost of living and securing housing were among the difficulties,” she said.

Realising that she had few advantages in Luxembourg’s job market compared to foreigners from neighbouring countries, given that she only spoke English, she began working towards becoming self-employed. At the same time, she was involved in volunteer projects.

“My first cultural shock was the cost of administrative procedures. I remember that a document confirming you had no bankruptcy history in Ukraine cost €200 at the cheapest notary. Financial expenses quickly added up. For instance, registering a business required renting an official space and the cost per square metre in Luxembourg ranged from €200 to €350 per month. Additionally, a three-month deposit was required, along with an agency fee, totalling around €2,000,” she noted. “At the time, I lacked information about alternative solutions, such as registering a business at a residential address, which also requires approval from the local municipality. Later, I secured an office space outside Luxembourg City for registration purposes.”

To understand the requirements for starting a business, Kateryna Mostova attended a seminar at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and had consultations at the House of Entrepreneurship. “One aspect that surprised me was Luxembourg’s strict control over certain professions. Unlike in Ukraine, where nearly anyone can register as a freelancer, Luxembourg requires formal qualifications. I had to validate my photography diploma, which became necessary for the first time in my career. In Luxembourg, simply owning a camera and registering a business is not enough - you need relevant education or proven experience. This approach ensures service quality and market regulation,” she shared. 

Her path to obtaining self-employed status took nearly a year due to personal circumstances, as she managed the entire process on her own. Compared to Ukraine, where she first ran an advertising agency in Luhansk and later worked independently in Kyiv, starting a business in Luxembourg required significantly more time. “One of my business directions is professional photography, including photo editing and shoots. Additionally, I co-founded a language-learning board game called Pick&Speak. The project faced setbacks - when I initially developed it, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns disrupted plans. Later, when I partnered with someone to bring it to market, the full-scale war began,” she said. “Despite these challenges, the game has received positive feedback. Initially, it was available in Ukrainian and English, but now includes German, French and Dutch, with Luxembourgish planned for the future. I am also working on a digital version and applying for grants to support its development. The goal is to make it accessible both as a physical game and an app.”

According to Kateryna, being in Luxembourg has also allowed her to launch a major project about Ukraine - the “Unveiled Ukraine” photo exhibition. The exhibition originated in Luxembourg and debuted a year ago. Since then, it has been shown three times in Luxembourg and has also travelled to Belgium, Sweden and Denmark. “This project was made possible thanks to Luxembourg’s support,” she noted. Additionally, she recently published a photobook exploring how Russian imperialism has influenced Ukrainian identity. “Through this work, I aim to provide foreigners with a deeper understanding of Ukraine, including lesser-known historical facts. I am unsure whether I could have realised these projects in Ukraine, but I have received strong support in Luxembourg,” emphasised Kateryna.

To her fellow Ukrainians looking to start a business in the Grand Duchy, she offered the following advice: “Luxembourg’s society is highly engaged in supporting others and I believe this is how communities should function. I would advise Ukrainians to seek employment first, as employers handle tax and social security contributions. However, for those determined to start a business, it is important to be prepared for a complex and lengthy process. Luxembourg is highly competitive and building a reputation and client base takes time.”

Kateryna Mostova said she envisions her future in Luxembourg, having found a partner with whom she has formalised her relationship. However, she remains connected to Ukraine and plans joint projects: “I plan to stay in Luxembourg, where I have now established a civil partnership. However, I want to maintain strong ties with Ukraine and develop cross-border projects. I am also preparing to launch my board game in the Ukrainian market. I believe that fostering a strong economic environment and creating job opportunities can benefit both Ukrainian refugees in Luxembourg and Ukraine itself. Collaborative projects can improve living standards and contribute to overall well-being."

Caption: Kateryna Mostova, cretit Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu