"Together, we preserve. Together, we create": new communication campaign on EU support for Ukrainian culture and art in wartime launched

Ukrainian history and culture have always been part of European cultural identity and diversity. Since the beginning of the full-scale military aggression by the Russian Federation, Ukrainian cultural sites and monuments have been destroyed and looted by the occupiers. Hundreds of Ukrainian artists have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Many do their outmost to protect and preserve Ukraine's cultural heritage; to continue creating and to foster Ukrainian culture. At this time, when Ukraine and its partners are focusing all their resources on victory, the European Union supports Ukraine and Ukrainians in their unwavering commitment to preserve cultural heritage and cultural diversity and helps Ukrainian artists realise their creative potential.

On March 21, 2023, the EU Delegation to Ukraine launched a two-strand campaign under the general slogan #TogetherWeAreEurope to showcase EU support for Ukrainian culture and art in wartime.

The first strand of the new campaign – #TogetherWePreserve – focuses on the preservation of Ukraine's unique tangible cultural heritage, such as architecture, museums, monuments, ancient churches, collections, archives, as well as intangible assets, i.e. traditions, folklore, and cultural memory.

The second strand –  #TogetherWeCreate – is dedicated to EU support to Ukrainian artists, creatives and creative industries. Thanks to grants, scholarships, mobility programs and residencies, they can continue their professional activities, improve their skills, gain new experience, network, and grow Ukraine’s contemporary culture.

"In this war, an entire culture is at stake. It is being looted and destroyed. Russia wants Ukrainian culture to stop existing. But this will not happen. Ukrainians are fighting for their culture, they are preserving it, and they keep creating. And we are with them. The EU helps Ukraine save its cultural heritage and supports its artists. Ukraine will exit this war victorious and its culture will continue being an essential part of the European family", - said Ambassador Matti Maasikas, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, at the press conference.

The nationwide communication campaign will include informational, educational, cultural, and art events with various interactive elements, online and offline.

Yesterday, on World Poetry Day, the campaign was launched with an online flash mob #TogetherWeCreate, with the participation of Maria Gabriel, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Together with high-level EU officials and Ukrainian artists, she recited the poem You Know You're a Human by Vasyl Symonenko, one of the most influential Ukrainian dissident poets of the 1960s, who was killed by the Soviet regime.

Everyone is welcome to join the flashmob:

- choose your favorite poem by a Ukrainian poet or poetess;

- recite it and make a short video;

- post the video on social media with the hashtag #TogetherWeCreate and tag at least three friends.

To learn more about the events within the communication campaign, follow the EU Delegation to Ukraine on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

More information:

Anton Teretyshnyk, Media Expert, 'Communicating the European Union for Ukrainians' (CEU4U), an EU-funded project implemented by Ecorys, anton.teretyshnyk@ecorys.com, Phone: +38 050 4444 262.