On September 13, the Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, Mykola Tochytskyi, launched the Cultural Platform “UKRAINE IS OPEN TO THE WORLD,” created to explore ways to promote Ukrainian culture on the international stage.
The platform’s discussion modules are dedicated to cinema, cultural diplomacy, and promotion. They aim to demonstrate how Ukrainian culture is integrated into the global context and highlight the importance of spreading Ukrainian narratives through international cultural platforms.
The event was organized and held with the support of the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.
“The symbiosis of culture and peace is an interaction that allows not only the preservation of national identity but also the restoration of world order. A just peace is possible through cultural identity. We are Europe. In this bloody war against evil, Europeans are fighting in the trenches. It is Europe defending its values. We ask our partners to support us with the ‘sword,’ by providing military assistance, because Ukrainians are defending our common European spirit with the ‘sword,'” emphasized Mykola Tochytskyi, Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, in his welcoming speech.
He also noted that “war demands a new approach to culture: culture is not only the foundation of Ukrainian identity, but it is also a weapon. Culture is a space of ‘threads’ that stitch together Ukrainian society within the country, with Ukrainians abroad, and with the European community.”
“Ukrainian culture is the voice of our country in the world. Those who carry it are our ambassadors, capable of conveying the truth about events in our country to the world. At the same time, Ukrainian directors, artists, actors, and singers know how to speak the truth in the universal, emotional language of art,” commented Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
The American actor Michael Douglas participated in the platform. He expressed admiration for the courage of the Ukrainian people and the country’s cultural richness.
“I really like your anthem; I heard it for the first time, and it’s very powerful. I’ve been following Ukraine for the past three years. The entire Western world supports you; weapons are coming, though not as quickly as desired, but they are coming. What struck me the most are the people; I’ve never seen such unity. I had a wonderful time here; the borscht is amazing,” he said during the discussion.
The actor concluded his conversation on stage with Anastasiia Bondar, Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitalization, with the words:
“My wish is for this war to end. I admire you, your courage, and your strong country. I believe the issue of providing long-range weapons will be resolved. We will continue to support you”.
The platform’s participants included representatives of cultural institutes from foreign countries, civil society, as well as Ukrainian national and municipal cultural institutions, organizations, and authorities involved in promoting Ukraine. Among them were Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and the ambassadors of Japan, Italy, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and others. They gathered to collaboratively address questions on how to attract international investments in cultural projects and how to create successful cultural cases for export.
As a result of the platform’s work, participants will develop recommendations on shaping Ukraine’s budget for 2025, the activities of cultural institutions, targeted funding for Ukrainian Cultural Foundation projects intended for export, and the creation of new projects and collaborations appealing to the international community. A communiqué summarizing the Forum’s outcomes will be sent to the Office of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
