Ukrainian Bookshelf Opens Portugal, as a Symbol of Cultural Diplomacy

An official ceremony was held at the Municipal Library of Santo Tirso, Portugal, to mark the opening of a new Ukrainian Bookshelf — a symbolic cultural initiative aimed at promoting Ukrainian literature abroad, supporting the Ukrainian diaspora, and strengthening Ukraine’s cultural presence in the world. 

The event drew international guests from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Cape Verde, Brazil, and Luxembourg, lending it considerable diplomatic significance, The Gaze reports, citing the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.

Among the participants were José Pedro Machado, Advisor for International Affairs of the Santo Tirso City Council, and the Mayor of Sarny (Rivne region, Ukraine), who was visiting Portugal on official business. Their joint presence underscored the growing partnership between Ukrainian and Portuguese communities.

The bookshelf project in Santo Tirso was made possible through the support of the local municipality and library. The Consulate of Ukraine extended its gratitude to the Portuguese partners for their openness, cooperation, and sincere commitment to creating a space where Ukrainians can cherish their native language and culture — and where Portuguese citizens can discover Ukraine’s literary heritage.

This initiative is part of a global project under the patronage of Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, and the Ukrainian Book Institute. To date, more than 250 Ukrainian bookshelves have been opened in over 60 countries.

Just last month, new bookshelves were launched in seven countries. In Poland, they appeared in the public libraries of Tarnów and Rybnik. In South Korea, the Ukrainian Embassy inaugurated one in the country’s oldest public library in Seoul. 

Other openings included Nyírbátor (Hungary), Coimbra (Portugal), and Brampton (Canada), reaffirming global support for Ukrainian culture and public diplomacy.

As The Gaze previously reported, Ukraine’s cultural diplomacy initiative “Ukrainian Bookshelf” has reached two new destinations — the Philippines and Georgia — marking the 60th and 61st countries to join the project.