Cultural Diplomacy: ‘Ukraine Open to the World’ Platform Launched in Kyiv
On 13 September, the cultural platform ‘Ukraine Open to the World’ was launched in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. It was created to find ways to promote Ukrainian culture in the international arena. This was reported by the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.
The platform's discussion modules are dedicated to cinema, cultural diplomacy and promotion. They should demonstrate how Ukraine's culture is integrated into the global context and how important it is to disseminate Ukrainian narratives through international cultural platforms, writes ICIP.
The purpose of the platform is to jointly develop answers to the questions ‘how to attract international investment in cultural projects’ and ‘how to create successful cultural cases for export’.
The platform was attended by representatives of foreign cultural institutions, the public, as well as Ukrainian cultural institutions, institutions and authorities involved in promoting Ukraine. Among those present were the ambassadors of Japan, Italy, Belgium, the United Kingdom and others. Mykola Tochytskyi, Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, and Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, made speeches at the opening.
As a result of the platform's work, its participants are expected to formulate recommendations on the formation of Ukraine's budget for 2025, the activities of cultural institutions, targeted financing of Ukrainian Cultural Foundation projects for export, and the creation of new projects and collaborations of interest to the international community.
‘The symbiosis of culture and peace is an interaction that allows not only to preserve national identity, but also to restore the world order. A just peace is possible through cultural identity. We are Europe. It is Europeans who are fighting in the trenches in this bloody war against evil. It is Europe that defends its values. We ask our partners to support us with the ‘sword’ by providing armed support, because Ukrainians are defending our common European spirit with the ‘sword’,’ Minister Mykola Tochytskyi said at the opening.
The platform was attended by American actor Michael Douglas, who has recently visited Ukraine as an ambassador of the U24 project. He expressed his admiration for the courage of the Ukrainian people and the country's cultural wealth.
‘I really like your anthem, it's the first time I've heard it, it's very powerful. I have been following Ukraine for the last three years. The whole Western world supports you, the weapons are coming, of course, not so fast, but they are coming. The most impressive thing is the people, I have never seen such a unity. I've had a great time here, the borscht is great,’ he said during the discussion.