A high-quality Ukrainian cultural product will help to explain to Europeans that Ukraine is part of Europe and not of the Russian World, said Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba.

He stated this at the annual concluding conference of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation on Tuesday, December 3.

The Deputy Prime Minister has noted that art plays an important role in bringing Ukraine and the EU closer: "Art destroys the walls that exist in the mind, dispels the fog that is still, unfortunately, in the minds of some EU citizens who do not quite understand who the Ukrainians are. And most importantly, art helps us depict a very clear picture of us in their minds: we are part of Europe. We are just like you."

According to Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation performs an important function of creating a quality Ukrainian product. Its dissemination contributes to two important tasks for European integration: to destroy the wall that separates Ukraine from the audience of Western European countries as well as to become part of the European Union.

The Deputy Prime Minister has explained that he hopes for the leadership of artists, managers and cultural experts in this process: "It is extremely important for us to explain to the European audience that we are part of European civilization, that we are Europeans, that we are not part of The Russian World."

Background

The Ukrainian Cultural Foundation was established in 2017 with the aim of developing Ukrainian national culture and art, creating conditions for the development of intellectual and spiritual potential of individuals and society, wide access for the citizens to the national cultural heritage, supporting cultural diversity and integration of the Ukrainian culture into the world cultural space. In 2018, it supported the implementation of 297 cultural and artistic projects.

The total budget of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation (UCF) for 2020 will make up UAH 0.7 billion. Instead, funding within the scope of work of the UFC for activities not related to cinema production is increased twofold: from UAH 250 million to UAH 500 million. Opportunities for submission applications are also being expanded. Previously, one organization could submit one application to the UCF within a year. Currently, the number of applications from associations and creative players has been increased to 30. And the affirmative response from the Fund can be obtained for five projects that can be implemented by one institution.