Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications: Strategic role of culture in Ukraine’s recovery discussed in Brussels

On 4 September, during a visit to Brussels, Acting Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna and First Deputy Minister Halyna Hryhorenko held a series of bilateral meetings with senior European Union officials, including Nela Riehl, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education, and Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport.

The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union in the cultural sphere as a key element of the country’s recovery, preservation of national identity, and further European integration.

Tetiana Berezhna expressed gratitude to EU institutions for their comprehensive support, particularly in the field of culture.

In this context, the “Team Europe for Cultural Heritage in Ukraine” initiative, launched in February 2025 during the “Cooperation for Resilience” conference in Uzhhorod, was highlighted. This initiative unites the efforts of the European Commission, EU member states, and Ukrainian partners to preserve cultural heritage damaged by the war.

The Ukrainian side also presented initiatives launched at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC-2025), including the establishment of the Cultural Resilience Alliance, the announcement of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund, and the presentation of the CuRe (Culture for Recovery) platform.

European institution representatives highly praised Ukraine’s proactive approach and noted progress in implementing initiatives aimed at enhancing cultural diplomacy and recovery.

Special attention during the talks was given to Ukraine’s participation in the Creative Europe programme (2021–2027). Tetiana Berezhna emphasised that integration into Creative Europe is not only about expanding project opportunities but also about recognising Ukrainian culture as an integral part of the European cultural space. She also thanked the European Commission for an additional EUR 2 million in funding to support Ukrainian projects.

Tetiana Berezhna underscored the importance of more actively holding Ukrainian cultural events – exhibitions, film screenings, and theatre tours – in EU countries.

A separate discussion was dedicated to supporting Lviv’s candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2030, seen as a significant step towards deeper cultural integration of Ukraine into the EU.