Ukrainian culture needs protection from Russian propaganda, - Zelenska. PHOTO
Ukrainian culture has become one of the ways of communicating with the world about Ukraine without intermediaries, but at the same time it itself needs protection from Russian propaganda. First Lady Olena Zelenska spoke about this at the International Forum on Cultural Diplomacy, where Ukrainian and foreign experts are discussing how culture can contribute to the country’s international presence and security.
This was reported on the website of the President of Ukraine, as reported by Censor.NET.
This year, the forum brought together diplomats, artists, representatives of state authorities and international organisations, and researchers. The discussions centred on cultural diplomacy as an instrument of soft power, decolonisation, countering Russian propaganda, and Ukraine’s integration into the global cultural sphere.
Opening the forum, Zelenska suggested looking at diplomacy not through the lens of official meetings and protocols, but through the way people actually discover other countries for themselves.
"Think back to what sparked your interest in another country. More often than not, it was a book, a song, a film or a meeting with someone. This is precisely how nations get to know one another: through culture, not through protocols," said the First Lady.
According to her, this took on particular significance after the start of the full-scale war, when Ukraine had to explain to the world not only who Ukrainians are, but also "what we stand for". And culture has become one of the most accessible means of such dialogue.
"Its language consists of human emotions and feelings, understood without translation. Since then, our culture, alongside professional diplomats, has been making its voice heard in the headquarters of international organisations, in parliamentary chambers and at security forums," noted Zelenska.
At the same time, culture has become a pillar of strength within the country itself. The First Lady highlighted how, during the war, Ukrainians are seeking meaning and support in new books, performances and exhibitions, whilst also rediscovering classic works.
This significance of culture, she said, was also reflected in the study of Ukrainian resilience conducted for the Sixth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen and the ‘Global Dictionary of Resilience’. Culture emerged as one of the key factors identified by researchers when analysing Ukrainian society’s ability to withstand adversity.
Yet alongside this strength lies another aspect – the struggle over the lens through which the world views Ukraine.
"For centuries, we were viewed through a Russian or Soviet lens. But people need to learn about us from us," emphasised Zelenska.
One of the tools for changing this perception has been the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies, established two years ago. Olena Zelenska linked its work to the broader effort to counter Russian information influence.
"We are standing up to one of the world’s largest propaganda systems. And over the years, we have learnt what many others lack: how to recognise lies, respond to them and prevent them from becoming the norm," she said.
Zelenska emphasised that the experience Ukraine is gaining during the war already extends far beyond the scope of cultural diplomacy. This also encompasses technology, medicine and psychological support – areas in which the country has been forced to develop under conditions of Russian aggression and can share the practices it has acquired with others.
"Today, for other countries, getting to know Ukraine means, first and foremost, helping themselves," the First Lady concluded.
