Creating Ukrainian content beyond counter-propaganda key to cultural policy, says Berezhna
The creation and popularization of Ukrainian content that is not counter-propaganda is one of the key directions of cultural policy, Acting Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Tetyana Berezhna has said.
"Through art, literature, traditions, historical heritage and modern content, we form common meanings. The process of decolonization of culture is also underway. We are restoring historical justice. Now it's time to unite all this into a common policy and action plan," the press service quotes Berezhna as saying following the meeting of the Coordination Council on the Establishment of Ukrainian National and Civic Identity.
It is noted that she outlined three key directions of cultural policy: ensuring the autonomy of Ukrainian cultural institutions so that they have more opportunities to attract resources, cooperate with business and international partners; creation and popularization of Ukrainian content that is not counter-propaganda, but truthfully tells the world who Ukrainians are; protection and preservation of cultural heritage, because it is monuments, artifacts and museum collections that are carriers of historical memory and self-awareness.
According to the head of the department, these steps will contribute to the formation of national identity among a wide audience.
As reported, under the patronage of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the program "1000 Hours of Ukrainian Content" will be implemented in 2026. In particular, the draft state budget for 2026 provides the Ministry of Culture of Strategic Communications with UAH 4 billion to ensure strategic communications, information security, measures for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, national identity, heroism, creation and distribution of patriotic audiovisual works. It is noted that the funds will be used to create a Ukrainian cultural product: new films, TV series, music, books and projects that affirm Ukrainian identity and tell the world about Ukraine.
The head of the State Film Agency, Andriy Osipov, said that he perceives the fact that they want to hold the program outside the Film Agency as a lack of trust in the institution's team. Also, some members of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy expressed their disagreement with the fact that funds for this program will be allocated through the Ministry of Culture, and not directly to the State Film Agency.
