Recognition of Ukrainian Cultural Leaders: France Awards Three Women the Order of Arts and Letters
A prestigious ceremony took place at the National Museum of Arts named after Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko in Kyiv, where three remarkable Ukrainian women were awarded the French Order of Arts and Letters. The accolade was presented by Gaël Veyssière, the French Ambassador to Ukraine, in recognition of their significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Ukrainian cultural heritage.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Ukrainian media.
The esteemed title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) was awarded to:
- Halyna Hryhorenko, the First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, who has been a key figure in shaping cultural policies that support the arts and heritage in Ukraine, particularly during challenging times;
- Yuliya Vaganova, the General Director of the Khanenko Museum, who has played an essential role in curating exhibitions that showcase Ukrainian art and history, ensuring that the museum remains a vital cultural institution;
- Olena Zhivkova, the Deputy General Director of the Khanenko Museum, who has significantly contributed to educational programs and initiatives that engage the public with Ukrainian culture and its artistic legacy.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Veyssière commended the relentless efforts of each laureate, stating, “Your tireless struggle – each of you in your own field, in your own way – for the protection of Ukrainian heritage and culture in a country that is at war, a country fighting for your freedom and ours – is what my country honors today through you.”
The Order of Arts and Letters is one of France's most prestigious cultural honors, awarded by the Ministry of Culture for exceptional achievements in the fields of arts and literature and for contributions to their dissemination both in France and around the world.
Ambassador Veyssière emphasized that the nominations for these three women received unanimous support from all French institutions involved in the selection process, underscoring the recognition of their impactful work.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the French court has granted permission to enforce the Hague arbitration award to compensate Naftogaz for $5bn in damages caused by Russia as a result of the occupation of Crimea.