Ukraine expresses gratitude to partners on National Day at EXPO 2025

Ukraine marked its National Day at EXPO 2025 in Japan, dedicating the event to the theme of gratitude. Over 15 participating countries supported Ukraine in organising the occasion. The official delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka. First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska also took part in the events.

On 5 August, Ukraine’s National Day took place at the EXPO 2025 site in Osaka, Japan. The central theme of the event was gratitude towards partners and allies who share Ukraine’s values. This theme built on the concept of Ukraine’s pavilion, Not For Sale, which highlights the values of Ukrainian society.

The event was organised on the initiative of Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko and led by Acting Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications and Ukraine’s General Commissioner for EXPO 2025 Tetiana Berezhna. The focus was on expressing gratitude to international partners and allies for their support during Ukraine’s ongoing war.

“Today, Ukraine stands before the world not only as a nation defending its sovereignty but also as one upholding values – dignity, freedom, and resilience,” said Yulia Svyrydenko. “At EXPO, we showcase principles that unite democratic societies and give meaning to international solidarity. Since the opening of our pavilion, we have witnessed profound support from visitors and partners. This is a reminder that Ukraine is not alone. We are grateful to all who stand with us – and we express this gratitude not only in words but through shared actions to protect what truly matters.”

Official ceremony

Ukraine’s National Day at EXPO 2025 began with an official opening ceremony attended by over 500 guests. Distinguished representatives from Japan’s highest governmental levels welcomed Ukraine, including Yuichiro Koga, State Minister at the Cabinet Office of Japan and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; Eisuke Mori, Chair of the Japan-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship League; Koji Haneda, General Commissioner of EXPO 2025 Japan; and others.

“Such a high-level visit for the opening of Ukraine’s National Day at EXPO 2025 during wartime is a mark of respect for Japan. A visit of this level during wartime is a demonstration of Ukraine’s strength. To be here today, we have travelled a great distance. But in truth, there is no distance between our peoples in our shared understanding of freedom. We are united in our pursuit of peace,” said Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

First Lady Olena Zelenska also addressed the guests: “Today, on our National Day at EXPO, we – the Ukrainian team – wish to dedicate this occasion to gratitude. Our deep gratitude to Japan for the opportunity to be represented here. And our gratitude to Japan and to every country helping us to defend ourselves against the aggressor. We are thankful for both the support and the simple human understanding, compassion, and humanity we feel. Gratitude is one of our core values.”

The ceremony’s highlight was the premiere of the Ode of Gratitude, a musical composition created specifically for Ukraine’s National Day in collaboration with the creative agency Bickerstaff.734. The piece, performed live for the first time by musician, producer, and composer Maryana Klochko, blends sounds from allied nations, layering them to create a collective expression of solidarity. The premiere was accompanied by a video showcasing gratitude to the international community for supporting Ukraine.

The official programme concluded with a live performance by the Ukrainian band ONUKA.

Cultural diplomacy: pavilions as platforms for dialogue

Following the ceremony, delegations visited Japan’s national pavilion and Ukraine’s pavilion, established under the initiative of the Ukrainian Government, led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Acting Minister of Culture and General Commissioner for EXPO 2025, Tetiana Berezhna.

At Ukraine’s pavilion, guests explored the Imported Goods installation, dedicated to Ukraine’s international friends. The exhibit features five new “goods” that extend the theme of gratitude, illustrating how individual efforts translate into impactful support. The artefacts honour cultural figures and activists from Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada who consistently show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“EXPO 2025 is a space where we can speak about the war without letting it define our identity. Our Ode of Gratitude is a ‘thank you’ to those who have not left us alone. In our pavilion, we are storytellers shaping the society of the future. We sincerely thank our partners and the Government of Japan for giving Ukraine the chance to say this so loudly – from Osaka, to a world that now, more than ever, needs unity and mutual support,” said Tetiana Berezhna, Acting Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications and Ukraine’s General Commissioner for EXPO 2025.

Support from international partners on Ukraine’s National Day

As part of the National Day programme, a panel discussion titled Ukraine Unbreakable Classrooms was held at the Czech pavilion, organised by the NGO Osvitoria. The event focused on the resilience of education during wartime and international support for Ukraine’s education system. It included screenings of excerpts from the documentary Timestamp by director Kateryna Hornostai, which highlights the experiences of Ukrainian students and teachers during the war. The event concluded with a performance by the band KAZKA.

Ukraine’s National Day at EXPO 2025 served as a platform to unite the international community in support of Ukraine. Over 15 participating countries initiated joint events and provided comprehensive support for the occasion. The European Union coalition at EXPO organised a series of events dedicated to Ukraine.

At the Romanian pavilion, an immersive exhibition, Home Beyond the Dawn, curated by Nataliia Matsenko, opened, featuring works by over 30 contemporary Ukrainian artists. The exhibit explores the transformation of the concept of “home” during wartime through video, photography, animation, sound, and digital reconstructions, creating a layered, emotionally rich narrative about loss, resilience, and hope.

The Belgian pavilion hosted panel discussions on the role of art in today’s realities, bringing together Ukrainian artists who shared their experiences and emphasised culture’s role as a tool for reflection, resistance, and international dialogue.

The series of events organised by partners underscores the enduring solidarity of the international community with Ukraine and the unity of leading nations in the fight for democratic values.

Closing moments of Ukraine’s National Day

The National Day concluded with a formal reception featuring a menu specially crafted by Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko. In a gesture of solidarity, friendly pavilions illuminated their facades in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and raised yellow-and-blue banners.

Ukraine’s National Day at EXPO 2025 drew representatives from dozens of countries, becoming one of the exhibition’s most popular events. The programme showcased the depth of international solidarity with Ukraine and allowed the nation to express gratitude to its partners for their steadfast support.

On 6 August, Ukraine will hold a high-level event, After The Line, bringing together Ukrainian and Scandinavian leaders to discuss investment opportunities, infrastructure recovery, and sustainable development strategies. The event is initiated by Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture in partnership with Ukrainian companies DTEK and Metinvest.

Ukraine’s Not For Sale pavilion will continue its work until 13 October, sharing the core values of the Ukrainian people with the world.