- January 9, 2025
- 4:00 pm
- Israel
On January 6, 2025, an important telephone conversation between the Minister of Culture of Ukraine Nikolai Tochitsky and the Minister of Culture and Sports of Israel Makhluf Zohar. The prospects for bilateral cooperation in the field of culture and strategic communications were discussed.
Particular attention was paid to cultural dialogue as a key tool for strengthening ties between the two countries.
During the conversation, Nikolai Tochitsky invited his Israeli colleague take part in the Cultural Conference “Cooperation for Sustainability”, which will be dedicated to the formation of an international coalition to support the cultural sector of Ukraine.
Why is cultural cooperation important?
Ukraine, faced with the challenges caused by Russian aggression, is making culture a critical element of its resilience. The conference, to which Israel is invited, aims to achieve the following goals:
- Protection of cultural heritage
Documenting crimes against cultural property in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
- Bringing the aggressor to justice
Development of mechanisms to ensure justice for the theft and destruction of cultural property.
- Formation of international support
Creating a coalition of countries interested in protecting cultural sites and preventing their looting.
“Our culture is the basis of Ukraine’s sustainability. We have a responsibility to work together to protect and restore cultural heritage that has been the victim of criminal acts.”— emphasized Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine Andrey Nadzhos.
Problems of preserving cultural heritage
Since the beginning of the war, Russia has been systematically destroying and appropriating Ukrainian cultural property. The occupation authorities have included Ukrainian museum collections in their holdings, are conducting illegal archaeological excavations and are using stolen artifacts for propaganda.
| Type of violation | Examples of actions |
|---|---|
| Theft of cultural objects | Relocation of museum collections to Russia |
| Illegal excavations | Use of artifacts for propaganda |
| Forced assimilation | Propaganda for the “integration” of the occupied territories into Russian culture |
Last year, Russia officially included the task of integrating the captured regions into its “Strategy of State Cultural Policy.” This demonstrates that crimes against cultural heritage are part of government policy.
Conference “Collaboration for Sustainability”
Ukraine initiated an international conference to unite the efforts of countries to protect culture. Main objectives of the event:
- Discussion of instruments of sanctions pressure on the perpetrators.
- Creation of mechanisms for international control over the movement of artifacts.
- Strengthening cultural cooperation between participating countries.
“Banning the participation of an aggressor in international cultural events is an important step towards isolating and reducing their influence,” – said Galina Grigorenko, First Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine.
Why is Israel important?
Israel and Ukraine have a rich history of cultural interaction. Ukraine's Jewish cultural roots serve as a bridge to strengthen bilateral ties. Israel's participation in the conference will highlight the importance of international solidarity in protecting cultural heritage.
On the website NAnews – Israel News you will find more materials about significant events connecting Israel and Ukraine. Such initiatives help build cooperation based on respect and support.
Conclusion
Culture is becoming a key tool for sustainability and international cooperation. Inviting Israel to the conference is not only an act of solidarity, but also a step towards creating a strong international coalition.
Read more about the news of cultural cooperation between Ukraine and Israel on the website NAnews – Israel News.
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