On 15 January, Halyna Hryhorenko, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, met with Werner Kogler, Austrian Federal Minister for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport, during a working visit to Vienna.
During the talks, the parties signed a letter of intent to the programme of cooperation in education, science and culture between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Austria for 2025-2030.
The letter of intent defines the strategic areas of future cooperation in the field of culture, including:
- Exchange of resident artists. A residency programme for artists is to be established, which will allow one or two artists to be sent to the partner country for a certain period of time each year.
- An internship programme in the field of culture. Cultural workers/artists from Ukraine will have the opportunity to complete a two-month internship at leading art institutions in Austria. In addition to the internship, participants will be provided with personal mentoring.
- Holding the Kyiv Biennial. In 2025, the Kyiv Biennial will be held in cooperation with European museums, including an Austrian museum. Both parties intend to support this project in 2025, 2027 and 2029.
- Exchange of knowledge in the field of cultural heritage and Baukultur. This exchange is expected to take place within the framework of the Joint Committee’s work programme or in an online format. It is important that the most modern approaches, concepts and technologies be applied in Ukraine to create a model for the future of Baukultur.
- Cooperation at the European level, in particular within the framework of the Creative Europe programme.
- Expanding Ukrainian presence at performing arts festivals (music, theatre, etc.) held in the Republic of Austria.
- Cooperation between museums. This is important for the development of scientific exchange, promotion of culture and heritage of both sides, establishment of interpersonal contacts and intercultural dialogue.
Halyna Hryhorenko also invited Werner Kogler to the conference of ministers of culture to be held in early February in Ukraine.
“The importance of coordinating the efforts of our partners cannot be overestimated. That is why we have launched a regular format for information and knowledge exchange at the country level – the Conference on Culture. The event will become a platform for discussing common challenges and prospects in the cultural sector, as well as opportunities for restoring cultural heritage and supporting artists in Ukraine,” she said.
Also, at the first meeting of the Joint Committee, the parties signed a programme of cooperation in education, science, and culture between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Austria for 2025-2030.