Ukraine Marks 30 Years in Council of Europe with Premiere of Yaroslav the Wise Documentary
The documentary film Yaroslav the Wise – Father-in-Law of Europe was premiered at two prestigious European venues – the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and Berlin Freedom Week in Berlin.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to the Permanent Representation of Ukraine to the Council of Europe on Facebook.
The screening of the film in Strasbourg was part of the events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's membership in the Council of Europe.
The Ukrainian delegation emphasized that the film is an example of how culture helps to restore historical justice and explain Ukraine's true past to Europeans. The film tells the story of a period when Kyiv was an influential center of Europe, and the dynastic ties of Yaroslav the Wise shaped the political map of the continent long before the emergence of Moscow.
The film reveals little-known pages of Ukrainian history and emphasizes that Ukraine had close ties with Europe more than a thousand years ago. Director Olesia Nogina notes that the return of historical truth is especially important now — in the context of Russia's war to redefine identity and history.
"With this film, we wanted to remind both Ukrainians and the world that Ukraine is not just now joining Europe, but was already there 1,000 years ago. We have strong historical ties with many European countries, and for many viewers in different countries, much of the factual information in the film was a real discovery," she said.
In Berlin, the screening took place as part of Berlin Freedom Week, a platform focused on the themes of freedom, memory, and countering propaganda. After the screening, participants discussed the role of historical narratives in shaping the European vision of modern Ukraine.
The project, created by the NGO Ukrkinofest with state support, is already gaining widespread international attention.
The film was shown in various countries — from Tallinn and Tbilisi to Bangkok and Barcelona — revealing to the world key pages of Ukrainian heritage and the importance of Yaroslav the Wise for European history.
Yaroslav the Wise was one of the most influential rulers of Kievan Rus, a state that was an important political and cultural center of Europe in the 11th century. His reign (1019–1054) is considered the heyday of Kyiv, when the city was comparable in importance to the leading medieval capitals of the West.
It was under Yaroslav that the first comprehensive legal code in these lands, Ruska Pravda, was formed, becoming one of the oldest European codes of law.
An important part of the prince's foreign policy was dynastic ties. Yaroslav's daughters became queens of France, Norway, and Hungary, and his sons married representatives of leading European dynasties. This created a unique network of political alliances that covered a significant part of the continent and cemented Kyiv's international status. That is why medieval chroniclers called Yaroslav “the father-in-law of Europe.”
The reign of Yaroslav the Wise is important evidence that the history of Ukraine is deeply rooted in the European context.
As The Gaze reported earlier, in Strasbourg, Ukraine also presented the exhibition «Motanka — The Spirit of Ukrainian Womanhood», showcasing traditional dolls symbolizing strength and resilience.