In 2019, Ukraine and Austria hold the Bilateral Cultural Year. Its official opening and the launch of the website austriaukraine2019.com took place on 22 February in Kyiv. The ceremony and the reception were attended by diplomats and cultural influencers of both countries.<\/p>\n
The Bilateral Cultural Year in Ukraine was inaugurated by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Austrian Republic in Kyiv Hermine Poppeller; head of the public diplomacy department of the Ukrainian MFA Serhiy Ustymenko; director general of the Ukrainian Institute Volodymyr Sheiko; and director of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Kyiv Dr. Ulf Hausbrandt.<\/p>\n
“The Cultural Year allows for what matters most \u2014 that people in both our countries learn more about each other, that they realise how much we have in common and how inspiring diversity actually is,” said in the welcoming speech Ambassador Poppeller. Together with Mr. Sheiko, she launched the joint website of the Cultural Year austriaukraine2019.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n The website features a regularly updated schedule of events, personal impressions and comments of people participating in the programme, and an application form to submit ideas and project proposals. Ukraine will host activities that involve Austrian artists, writers, musicians, philosophers, as well as urban developers. Topics are no less diverse: classic and modern literature, cinema, various genres of art and music, street-art and even city planning. In Austria, Ukrainian organisers will present an rich programme of music events (varying from classical and baroque music to contemporary classics and jazz), theatre and contemporary opera performances, visual arts and film projects, as well as platforms for intellectual discussions.<\/p>\n “We wanted to make this year special. It is not a one-way project: our program is based on joint participation of artists, experts and professionals from both countries, as well as collaboration between individuals and institutions, which will continue in the coming years” added Mr. Sheiko, director general of the Ukrainian Institute.<\/p>\n