On December 23, a meeting was held between Oleksandr Tkachenko, Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, and Arad Benkö, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to Ukraine. It was about the needs of the Ukrainian cultural sphere and art education and the strengthening of cooperation between the countries.
“Today, despite russia’s war against Ukraine, many artists remain to create in their native country. They support Ukrainians, because art heals and inspires. At the same time, the artists themselves also need support. Art projects are politically and culturally important for us. Furthermore, we are very much looking forward to the return of our artists who have found refuge in Austria. In order for professional art to continue to develop, we gratefully accept the proposals of our partners to support Ukrainian culture,” Oleksandr Tkachenko said.
The Minister spoke about the project of 7 Ukrainian museums Ukraine. Out of blackout. This is an exhibition of the millennium of Ukrainian heritage at the world’s leading venues, in particular, it would be important to hold it in Austria as well.
Oleksandr Tkachenko also emphasized that due to the situation in the energy sector of Ukraine, Ukrainian cultural institutions are in great need of generators to continue the uninterrupted work of theaters, circuses, and philharmonic halls.
It was also about protecting the cultural rights of Ukrainians who are forced to stay in Austria. In this context, it is important to support projects related to:
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replenishment of Austrian library funds with modern Ukrainian literature;
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transfer of Ukrainian-language and translated Ukrainian literature to Austrian libraries as a part of the Ukrainian Bookshelf project, which was initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, as well as the Ukrainian Book Institute;
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continuation of the project to introduce Ukrainian-language audio guides in Austrian museums;
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cooperation in the field of restoration of damaged immovable cultural heritage;
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training of Ukrainian experts in Austria;
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exchange of experience on issues of digitalization in the field of culture and cultural heritage,
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support in countering the illegal transfer of cultural values stolen from Ukraine by the russian occupying forces;
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popularization of Ukrainian media abroad, for example, in hotels;
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cooperation in countering russian disinformation and propaganda.
