First Lady Olena Zelenska took part in the annual International Forum on Cultural Diplomacy, organized by the Ukrainian Institute and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
“It’s critically important for us right now not only to speak about Ukrainian, but also to distinguish it from Russian. This includes decolonization projects, where we have to literally cleanse each individual name from Russian layers,” she emphasized.
The President’s wife told about her cultural diplomacy projects, including the introduction of Ukrainian-language audio guides at major global landmarks and the creation of Ukrainian bookshelves in libraries around the world. Currently, there are 89 audio guides available in 47 countries and over 200 bookshelves in 50 countries.
The First Lady also highlighted the importance of the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies. This initiative enables educational institutions worldwide to offer courses on the Ukrainian language and culture, establish Ukrainian studies departments, and host conferences and summer schools.
Additionally, the forum addressed the role of cultural relations on the path toward European integration and the fight against disinformation. The discussion involved foreign experts.
This marks the fifth time the forum has been held, bringing together leading experts from Ukraine and around the world to discuss ideas, practices, challenges, and the future of international cultural diplomacy and relations.