Participants of the National Heritage Protection Network met with representatives of the Congress of Cultural Activists to explore how non-governmental organizations and independent cultural managers promote Ukrainian culture abroad during the war.
During the meeting, Olena Pravylo — head of the Congress, project manager, and researcher — spoke about the Congress’s international partnership projects within the “Creative Europe” framework.
Kateryna Ray — contemporary art researcher and curator of international art projects (Meancult Gallery, Münster) — shared insights into institutional cooperation and cultural dialogue between Ukraine and Germany.
Iryna Pravylo — film director, producer, Doctor of Audiovisual Arts, and lecturer at the Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema and Television University — used her film Flowers Beyond the Dark to demonstrate how documentary cinema serves as a powerful tool for cultural advocacy.
Marta Pogorila — cultural manager, art curator, and program curator of the “Pivden” (South) Cultural Hub — discussed cultural projects as ambassadors for Ukrainian communities in the context of Ukraine–Romania relations.
The meeting was co-moderated by Liusia Nychai — curator and co-founder of the Nazar Voitovych Art Residence.
Here are the key insights and practical advice from the speakers.
Networking is a truly effective tool
To win major European grants, one must start by building genuine, long-term partnerships with international colleagues through smaller projects, gradually expanding the network. As Olena Pravylo puts it: “Look for people who know other people.”
Co-creation. Modernity. Relevance.
To engage foreign audiences, it is essential to find common ground — shared problems, interests, or similar cultural phenomena. Success lies in involving local artists and communities in the process of co-creation. Kateryna Ray and Marta Pogorila emphasize that maintaining a modern and relevant cultural voice is key, whether in Germany or Romania.
Find your “Fred”
For the successful promotion of Ukrainian cultural products, it is vital to maintain contact with the audience and find dedicated supporters who will become your best promoters. Iryna Pravylo shared the example of an American retiree named Fred. After watching a documentary about the events in Bucha, he decided to do everything in his power to ensure as many people in the U.S. as possible saw it. Claiming he had neither big money nor status, but plenty of time and a computer, he wrote letters advocating for the film’s distribution to influential figures in American cinema, including Steven Spielberg.
The Congress of Cultural Activists was founded under the motto “be the change“. Changes in society and culture happen slowly and often go unnoticed, yet only our collective daily efforts make them irreversible.
All participants expressed confidence that this meeting marks a strong beginning for future cooperation between the National Heritage Protection Network and the Congress of Cultural Activists.
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