A Problem of Perception: How to Promote a Modern Ukraine

Art-project "Depersonalization." Kiev, Ukraine. Photo by Ruslan Kapral, some rights reserved.

Ukraine’s unique culture and rich history are well-known among those who study or have visited the region. They are proudly displayed by members of the Ukrainian diaspora and recognized by Ukraine-watchers throughout the world. But to many in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere, knowledge of the country is limited to the news coverage of the Maidan protests and the ongoing unrest in the Donbas. Amid the chatter of conflict coverage and attention-grabbing headlines, how does one convey the more profound substance of a country struggling to be appreciated for its achievements, rather than its challenges? The answer lies in the largely-untapped power of cultural diplomacy.

The Value of Cultural Diplomacy

According to the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin, Germany, the term can best be described as “a course of actions, which are based on and utilize the exchange of ideas, values, traditions and other aspects of culture or identity,” with the goals of “strengthening relationships, enhancing socio-cultural cooperation, and promoting national interests,” among others. As Ukraine embarks on a massive transition process, much of the country’s intellectual and fiscal resources are being spent on implementing wide-ranging reforms. With all of the work to be done strengthening such fundamentals as the rule of law and the economy, the government will be hard pressed to simultaneously broadcast the vibrancy and ingenuity of Ukraine’s undeterred artists and innovators. Fortunately, cultural diplomacy does not require the construction of new cultural centers or concert halls – it requires only the support of those individuals across the globe that are ready and willing to bring the riches of Ukraine’s arts and culture to new audiences.

Cultural diplomacy can educate external audiences about a nation’s unique history while highlighting contemporary issues. As a compelling example of the power of cultural diplomacy, take the recent Eurovision song contest. Ukrainian singer Jamala won the popular contest with her song commemorating the 1944 deportation of Crimea Tatars. During a panel discussion hosted by the Kennan Institute, Hanna Hopko, Member of Parliament and head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, pointed out that “this was a good signal that through music, through song, the whole European community realized that they need to support the Ukrainian fight to return Crimea back to Ukraine.”

Although rarely deployed to its full potential, the power of cultural diplomacy is not lost on those charged with maintaining cooperation across borders. In April, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini highlighted the valuable role played by culture in Europe’s external actions and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in reaping the benefits of cultural exchange.

Challenges and Triumphs in Promoting the New Ukraine

Despite a host of lofty promises and reinvigorated political ambitions to improve the visibility of Ukraine’s cultural heritage, many advocates for enhanced cultural diplomacy in Ukraine have been disappointed by the government’s lack of progress. As Kennan Kyiv’s Director Kateryna Smagliy noted in an op-ed published by the Atlantic Council, “Ukraine’s political class is not taking culture and cultural diplomacy seriously,” creating an “information vacuum” that leaves the public susceptible to propaganda and misinformation. Moreover, the arts space in Ukraine is not immune to broader societal challenges, including corruption and in-fighting, as demonstrated by a recent scandal surrounding the appointment of a new director for “Art Arsenal,” Ukraine’s premier cultural center.

However, civil society organizations and social activists have developed several impressive initiatives to support cultural diplomacy efforts and demonstrate its value to those in government and to the general public. At the Kennan panel discussion, Olga Ivanova, Counselor on Cultural Issues at the Embassy of Ukraine to the US, described ongoing attempts to educate American citizens about Ukraine as a nation and noted, “our cultural diplomacy is built from scratch in the midst of an information war by Russia against Ukraine and we need results now. So what are we doing? We are trying to reach a wider audience to go beyond traditional supporters of Ukraine… We want to bring a new, modern Ukraine to the U.S. public and we want to make Ukraine interesting to young professionals, students, expert groups, etc.” She went on to say, “It’s not about having a big budget, or purchasing special premises for a cultural center or hiring dozens of local staff to help us, it’s about quality substance which is interesting for Americans, young Americans especially, and it’s about good partnerships.” 

With offices in Kyiv and Washington, D.C., the Kennan Institute is well-positioned to facilitate such partnerships.  When the government of Ukraine established a Department for Cultural Diplomacy, they lacked the understanding and capacity to get it off the ground. For the last two years, the Kennan Institute in Kyiv has worked with the Foreign Ministry organize an annual Cultural Diplomacy Forum. During the panel discussion, Smagliy highlighted the Forum as mutually beneficial in that it “unites both scholars and civil society organizations in analyzing what the real problems are in the area [of cultural diplomacy].”

Cultural Diplomacy in Action

The Kennan Institute is honored to play a role in promoting cultural diplomacy and providing a platform for artistic exchange between Ukraine and the United States. In the spring of 2015, the Kennan Institute hosted "The Revolution of Dignity" art exhibit, which presented photos and artwork from Ukraine’s Maidan (2013-2014) by seventeen Ukrainian artists. The exhibit, curated by Natalia Moussienko, former Fulbright-Kennan Institute Research Scholar and Senior Research Fellow at the Modern Art Research Institute (MARI) at the Ukrainian Academy of Arts, was co-organized with the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, the Fulbright Program, and MARI. Currently, the Kennan Institute is hosting an exhibition of Ukrainian art at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. The exhibit titled “Memory of Unconsciousness,” runs from June 8, 2016 through October 31, 2016 and features works by renowned Ukrainian artist Viktor Sydorenko, including photo, video, and sculpture pieces from three cycles of the artist’s work: “Millstones of Time,” “Authentication,” and “Depersonalization.”

The exhibition is consonant to the major issues that are being studied at the Wilson Center, particularly at the Kennan Institute. The exhibit opened with a reception featuring remarks by Wilson Center Director, President, and CEO, Congresswoman Jane Harman and Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Valeriy Chaly. In his remarks, the Ambassador thanked the Kennan Institute and the Wilson Center for hosting the exhibition, noting that the event helped to “bring Ukraine over to the United States” and provided a “great example of how to bring people closer together” through contemporary art and promote Ukrainian interests through cultural diplomacy.

The opening reception was preceded by a panel discussion entitled “Engaging the Arts for a Vibrant, International Ukraine,” featuring commentary from the artist, Viktor Sydorenko; Kateryna Smagliy, Director of the Kennan Institute in Ukraine; Olha Ivanova, Counselor on Cultural Issues for the Embassy of Ukraine to the US; and Her Excellency Hanna Hopko, Member of parliament and head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The panelists discussed strategies for developing Ukraine’s “soft power” despite economic constraints and informational challenges, and spoke about the many ways in which arts and culture can counteract the West’s growing “Ukraine fatigue.”

The project was initiated by the Kennan Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and is a bright example of the prolific cultural diplomacy between Ukraine and the United States of America. As noted by Natalia Moussienko, “Only joint efforts can convey a modern image of Ukraine and simultaneously create it.”

Read more about Ukrainian cultural diplomacy:

Smagliy, Kateryna. "Jamala's Triumph at Eurovision Reminds Ukraine to Take Cultural Diplomacy Seriously." Atlantic Council (16 May 2016). 

Moussienko, Natalia. "Cultural diplomacy: the American vector." Den' Kyiv (22 June 2016). 

Smagliy, Kateryna. "Ukraine's Art Arsenal: Where Culture adn Politics Crossed Swords." Atlantic Council (12 July 2016).