Cultural cooperation Ukraine-Netherlands 2025-2028

The cultural ties between the Netherlands and Ukraine have evolved rapidly over the past years. There is a growing recognition of the value of cultural exchange by strengthening bilateral relations. Our countries share a mutual interest in preserving cultural heritage and face the challenges of dealing with contested histories, albeit from a fundamentally different perspective.

The start of Russia’s unlawful full-scale military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 marks a grim new phase in European history. A chapter which dates back to 2014, the annexation of Crimea, and earlier attempts of Russia to manipulate Ukrainian elections. Alongside the attempts to annex territory, the destruction of Ukrainian cultural identity and the looting and devastation of cultural objects and heritage became an essential part of the Kremlin regime’s strategy.

Since then, the museum and heritage sector in Ukraine have suffered huge losses. More than 60% of the cultural organisations and institutions have disappeared. The sector faces a significant shortage of personnel, with artists, performers, museum staff, and cultural managers either leaving for other countries, for the front line, or passing away. The physical destruction is immense: According to UNESCO’s estimation, approximately 9 billion USD will be needed to restore the damage over the next 10 years. Most of the damage has occurred in the Kharkiv region, followed by the occupied Donetsk and heavily bombarded Odesa.

The Ukrainian cultural sector responded to the threat promptly and resiliently with remarkable self-organisation. They joined forces to protect the cultural heritage and started to think immediately about how to rebuild the sector in the future. The Build Back Better (BBB) approach integrates culture into rebuilding efforts, ensuring that heritage, contemporary culture, creative industries, and cultural institutions are restored to strengthen identity, social cohesion, and economic development.

To learn more about the involvement of the Dutch cultural and heritage sector in supporting their Ukrainian counterparts, visit the following websites: Cultural Emergency Response, The Black Sea Hub, UNUN - Ukraine - the Netherlands Urban Network, Ro3kvit - Urban Coalition for Ukraine, Panorama Ukraine or check our mapping of Ukrainian and Dutch supporting organisations.

Ukraine is one of the oldest settled areas in Europe, and the largest country located entirely on the continent. Throughout its history, it has been home to numerous civilisations and underwent many influences and conflicts. Ukraine has a rich and diverse cultural sector that reflects this complex history, including the traditions and influences of various ethnic groups.

The foundations of a state centered around Kyiv were laid in the medieval period, with early political and cultural developments shaping what is now Ukraine. Over the following centuries, Ukraine navigated periods of shifting rule, including the Mongol invasions, Polish-Lithuanian governance, and later, incorporation into the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires. The 20th century brought a brief period of independence, two world wars, the devastating Holodomor famine, and many decades of Soviet rule. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declared its independence in 1991.

The first years of that sovereign Ukrainian nation-state were marked by political instability, economic challenges, and ongoing tensions with Russia. The Euromaidan Revolution (also known as the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity) in late 2013/early 2014 shifted the country's geopolitical orientation towards Europe and fostered aspirations for democracy and European integration. The conflicts in Eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 marked the start of a new, dark chapter in European history. However, the international community became fully aware of the scale of this conflict only on 24 February 2022.

This war is about preserving Ukrainian culture and identity. Therefore, efforts aimed at decolonization and decommunization have gained momentum, especially since the large-scale invasion began. Alongside the preservation of identity, there is also a growing need to redefine and strengthen it, fostering a deeper understanding of Ukraine’s diverse heritage and its place in the broader European cultural landscape.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion DutchCulture organised five visitors programmes for Ukrainian professionals. The first programme occurred in February 2023 and focused on heritage and museum professionals. The primary focus of the visit was heritage protection, digitalisation and contested histories. We invited policymakers for the second visitors programme whose interest lies in learning about the Dutch cultural ecosystem, the funding system and the codes of governance and fair practice. In 2024 we focused on the regional museums and artist-in-residence programs of Ukraine, while in 2025 we invited upcoming curators. In our publication Reaping the Rewards, you can read more about these programmes.

Would you like to receive more information regarding opportunities for cultural exchange with Ukraine? Feel free to contact our advisor for Central and Eastern Europe, Tijana Stepanovic with your questions.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kyiv plays a crucial role in fostering cultural collaboration between the Netherlands and Ukraine. Since Ukraine became a focal country in Dutch international policy in December 2022, the embassy has actively contributed to the protection of Ukraine’s cultural sector during wartime and its post-war reconstruction. The Dutch approach focuses on three main priorities: safeguarding and strengthening Ukrainian identity and heritage, aligning with the priorities of the Ukrainian government, and supporting the Ukrainian diaspora in the Netherlands in maintaining cultural ties with their homeland.

The preservation and restoration of Ukrainian cultural heritage are essential in countering attempts to erase the country’s identity. Museums, libraries, and cultural institutions have been targeted in the war, and efforts to russify occupied areas further threaten Ukraine’s cultural sovereignty. The Netherlands, recognizing heritage protection as an international responsibility, works closely with partners such as the Cultural Emergency Response (CER) program and the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency to support the safeguarding and documentation of cultural heritage. Additionally, as a leader on point 7 of Zelensky’s Peace Formula—justice and accountability—the Netherlands is committed to addressing crimes against cultural heritage through capacity-building projects and expert training in collaboration with organizations like the Raphael Lemkin Society and the cultural cluster of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group.

Another key priority is aligning cultural cooperation with the needs and policies of the Ukrainian government. The new Minister of Culture faces the challenge of protecting cultural heritage while balancing the realities of war. Cultural diplomacy is a crucial tool for maintaining international support for Ukraine, especially in the context of EU integration. The Netherlands actively engages with Ukrainian institutions, such as the Ukrainian Institute, and facilitates partnerships to strengthen Ukraine’s cultural sector. This includes hosting Ukrainian cultural professionals in the Netherlands to enhance exchange and collaboration.

With approximately 120,000 Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands, maintaining cultural connections is vital for preserving national identity and encouraging future participation in Ukraine’s reconstruction. The embassy supports initiatives that engage the diaspora in cultural projects and collaborates with the Ukrainian Embassy in The Hague and Dutch municipalities, including Amsterdam, where many Ukrainians reside.

Beyond these priorities, the Netherlands continues to foster exchange programs and expert meetings, working closely with DutchCulture and the national cultural funds. These efforts contribute to sustaining and strengthening Ukraine’s cultural resilience both during the war and in the years to come.