The Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, Oleksandr Tkachenko, participated online in the meeting of the Council on Education, Youth, Culture and Sports, chaired by Sweden in the European Union Council. On May 16, during the Council meeting, issues related to culture, audiovisual affairs, and education were discussed. Within the framework of the meeting, participants also discussed legislative matters, particularly focusing on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which is currently under active development.
In his speech, the Minister expressed gratitude for the unprecedented support and protection provided by the EU to artists and workers of the cultural and creative sectors in Ukraine and beyond. He also underlined the coordinated and urgent initiatives of international partners regarding the protection and preservation of cultural heritage and digitalization of Ukraine’s cultural sphere.
“The war has brought many challenges, from security actions for people and cultural heritage, cultural infrastructure, fight against propaganda, disinformation, recovery after cultural-linguocide on the temporarily occupied territories, to rethinking the role and importance of freedom and cultural rights to humanity, identity, self-expression and diversity in times of greatest uncertainty and vulnerability,” said Oleksandr Tkachenko.
The Ukraine’s Minister also emphasized the further need to promote Ukrainian culture in the EU. “It is crucial for us to increase grant support for creation of new cultural products and content in Ukraine, as well as translations into the Ukrainian language and publishing of books for libraries in Ukraine. Therefore, continuous support to Ukrainian Cultural and Creative Sectors will increase European security and resilience and strengthen our common democratic values,” stated the Minister.
Due to the unprovoked russian aggression against Ukraine, which unfortunately continues, the cultural and creative sectors of Ukraine are in need of further support. Cultural heritage and objects of cultural infrastructure are still under threat, and artists, representatives of the cultural sphere are at risk or displaced. Therefore, after listening to the speeches of the EU ministers, the goal of the Council remains to raise awareness about the situation and the necessity of promoting Ukrainian culture in the EU.
