A round-table discussion with Belgian and Ukrainian stakeholders involved in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts took place in Brussels.

29 April 2025 22:07

The t eam of the Special Envoy for Ukraine Mr. Jan De Pauw at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with the Embassy of Ukraine, as well as Professor of Sociology of Culture & Politics at ARIA, University of Antwerp, Mr. Pascal Gielen, Ukrainian expert Ms. Kateryna Chuyeva and writer Mr. Myroslav Laiuk discussed important issues of the influence of culture and Ukrainian identity on the reconstruction of Ukraine today.

russia’s unlawful aggression against Ukraine is not merely propelled by the need for more land or by spurious concerns over its security, it is also and existentially so a fight to destroy Ukraine’s own cultural identities.

Culture and identity are the most unyielding of forces. Words, images, and worldviews transcend borders. They climb walls, slip through barbed wire, and in our digital age, cross frontiers unimpeded. While wars may end, cultural battles often persist, smoldering underground for decades.

“To date, around 1500 cultural heritage sites across Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed by russian aggression, including museums, theaters, libraries, and historical buildings. One of the goals vital to our country today is the preservation and defense of what was for long time oppressed and restricted throughout the Ukrainian history, namely our unique culture and national identity. It is now the critical period for us to show that in the current struggle against russia we will never let this story be repeated once again” – mentioned Chargée d'Affaires Ms. Nataliia Anoshyna during her welcoming remarks.

We would like to express our boundless gratitude to Mr. Maxime Prevot, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of Belgium, Mr. Jan DE PAUW, Special Envoy of Belgium for Ukraine, all colleagues from the MFA of Belgium, as well as Ukrainian and Belgian experts for organizing and supporting the event.

Special thanks go to participants who are involved in the discussion, we do really appreciate all the support and standing with us during the challenging times for our country!

Today the Embassy took part in the conference “Si vis pacem: The Future of European Defense”, held at the Centre Culturel Schéiss in the city of Luxembourg.

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