The Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine presented its plan under Item 9: Cultural Sovereignty of Ukraine, a cornerstone of the country’s 10-point Internal Resilience Plan, at a special event. The President of Ukraine unveiled this plan in the Verkhovna Rada on November 19, 2024.
The event brought together Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Olena Kovalska, representatives from the MCSC, diplomatic envoys from partner nations, UNESCO officials, and international cultural support organizations.
The concept of Cultural Sovereignty, defined as the Ukrainian nation’s right and ability to shape, express, and preserve its cultural identity and heritage without external interference, emerged as a central theme in discussions on Ukraine’s resilience to modern challenges.
Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, remarked in his video address:
“Ukraine is fighting for its identity. russia aims to erase our culture, as seen in Mariupol, where they destroyed the theater that sheltered children. They target our churches and museums, treating them as critical infrastructure”.
Yermak emphasized that Ukraine has always been an integral part of the European cultural sphere and continues to defend not just its own rights but also the shared values of the democratic world.
During the event, key initiatives to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience through culture were highlighted. Mykola Tochytskyi, the Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine underscored that culture is an essential pillar of Ukraine’s national security strategy.
Legislative proposals were introduced, prioritizing culture as a key national interest, alongside discussions on aligning Ukrainian cultural legislation with European standards as part of EU integration. The Minister also announced the launch of a “Cultural Ramstein”, a regular partnership platform to coordinate support for the cultural sector’s resilience, firmly embedding it within European space.
Mykola Tochytskyi stated: “The G7 meeting of Culture Ministers in Naples this September was a pivotal step in fostering our collaboration. We eagerly anticipate the URC 2025 meeting in Rome this July, where we hope culture will become a cross-cutting theme across all four dimensions, forming a solid foundation for Ukraine’s resilience”.
The Ministry’s Internal Resilience Plan prioritizes safeguarding cultural heritage, ensuring the stability of the cultural sector, fostering societal cohesion, and amplifying Ukraine’s cultural voice internationally. Strategic communications, as a critical component of the state’s information resilience, also remain within the MCSC’s scope.
“Cultural identity is synonymous with state security. We must not only counter disinformation but also create narratives that define who we are and who we are fighting against”, Minister Tochytskyi concluded by urging support for Ukrainian culture as a vital element of national resilience.
The event was organized by the Recovery Support Unit, in partnership with UNESCO Ukraine, with financial support from Japan, and executed by the Public Union “Fund for Support of Reforms in Ukraine.”
Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, the Head of the UNESCO Office in Ukraine, along with foreign diplomats, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the MCSC’s priorities under the Cultural Sovereignty agenda, particularly in response to russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
“Coordination and cooperation among all actors and supporters of culture is paramount for preparing Ukraine’s recovery. Since the start of the Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have stood firmly with the Ukrainian people, working on protecting and safeguarding culture in all its forms. Today, we reaffirm that commitment by supporting the MCSC and its vision for sustainable recovery. These efforts reflect a shared understanding that culture is not merely a casualty of war but a key component of recovery and sustainable development”, – Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, Head of UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine.
The MCSC is also developing a culture strategy for 2025–2030 as a part of the Ukraine Facility Plan. The Ministry plans to present its preliminary proposals for public consultation with civil society, local governments, cultural institutions, and experts in the near future.
