06 June 2018, 17:00
She stated this in her speech at the Fourth Forum of Cultural Diplomacy of Ukraine.
"Huge hopes for a new qualitative breakthrough are linked with the newly created Ukrainian institute, which should become the major Ukraine’s mouthpiece overseas. We all need to unite efforts to make the Institute work as fast as possible," said Hanna Hopko.
In her opinion, "the Institute can play the role of a ‘joining link’ for the involvement of other structures - our diplomatic missions, the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, the Book Institute, the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, various departments, public and business structures in Ukraine and abroad".
"Unfortunately, not only for 70 years of the communist occupation, but also for more than 20 years after the restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991, the heralds of cultural diplomacy were not state institutions, but mainly enthusiasts - artists, writers, public figures of Ukraine and the diaspora," said Hanna Hopko, having then added: "Meanwhile, Moscow has invested massive financial resources, diplomatic and media structures, distorting the image of Ukraine in the world, appropriating the achievements of our culture and schooling in the world to look at Ukraine through the Moscow glasses".
And now it is high time to make a difference, using all capacities of the state.
Hanna Hopko is also convinced that Ukraine has an immense potential for cultural diplomacy. One just needs to implement it.
"I’m sure we would cope with this if we work for the sake of Ukraine's interests, as Ukrainians did 100 years ago, with our new opportunities in strength," concluded Hanna Hopko.
Worthy of note
The forum takes place in Kyiv and is dedicated to the European Year of Cultural Heritage. The discussion is attended by:
Volodymyr Sheiko, Director General of the Ukrainian Institute,
Serhii Korsunskyi, Director, Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine,
Oksana Zabuzhko, woman of letters,
and numerous diplomats, representatives of Ukrainian and international organizations.