On October 6, the Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, Mykola Tochytskyi, met with the Minister of Culture and Sports of Israel, Makhlouf Zohar. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, and the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Jewish National Fund in Ukraine, Yonatan Ben Dor.
The parties discussed the issues of deepening cultural cooperation and preserving national identity in the context of war. As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes, Ukrainian policy is based on values and a deep understanding of the importance of human life and security. These principles remain relevant in the fight to preserve cultural heritage and identity.
“The aggressor is deliberately attempting to destroy our identity by targeting missile strikes at cultural objects. It is crucial to deepen cooperation between our countries to protect and preserve our shared heritage, as Jewish culture composes an integral part of Ukraine’s historical heritage,” emphasized Mykola Tochytskyi.
The Minister also pointed out the importance of digitizing destroyed and damaged historical sites, noting that modern technologies can help to preserve cultural heritage for future generations.
In turn, Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sports, Makhlouf Zohar, expressed support for Ukraine and highlighted the need for joint efforts in the fight for democracy and the identity of both nations.
“We must remain strong and support each other, as we face common enemies. Ukraine and Israel are both part of the free and democratic world, and we must stand together in the fight against the forces of evil. It is very important for me to express this to you, to the President, and to all Ukrainians today,” stated Makhlouf Zohar.
One of the key topics of the meeting was the development of tourism in Ukraine, particularly in the city of Uman, which is visited annually by up to 40,000 Israelis. The Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports emphasized the potential of this city to become a grate tourist center reflecting European values.
“We are working extensively on joint projects and participating in major Ukrainian festivals, and the cultural aspect of our relations is crucial. We must build a prosperous future, create conditions for preserving cultural heritage, and develop the sector as a whole,” added Michael Brodsky, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to Ukraine.
After the negotiations, the Ministers visited Babyn Yar, where they honored the memory of Ukrainians and Jews who were executed by the nazis between 1941 and 1943. A deep understanding of historical events, honoring the memory of the fallen, and joint efforts can assure that such tragedies will never happen again.
