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Johan de Meij
Education
Australia
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Role
Advisor - Central and Eastern Europe
Email
t.stepanovic [at] dutchculture.nl
On 24 August 1991 the Ukrainian parliament declared the its separation from the Soviet Union with the Act of Declaration of Independence.
Sunday 24 August 2025 marks Ukraine's 34th Independence Day. However, the country continues to fight for its freedom. Even though public fatigue grows over this seemingly endless war, we remain committed to supporting Ukrainians in their tireless struggle for freedom, identity, and self-determination.
That's why DutchCulture, together with Are We Europe Studios, created Threads of Identity: The Unyielding Spirit of Ukraine’s Cultural Sector. It is a living online archive and testament to resilience, amplifying Ukrainian voices and showcasing Dutch initiatives that stand in solidarity with Ukraine’s cultural sector.
Each contribution offers a story, an event, a podcast or a video, allowing you to wander through the collection. It also provides practical guidance for collaboration and meaningful support.
Culture is identity, and identity is culture
Personal Stories
Delve into the stories and faces of the men and women behind Ukraine’s cultural sector, exploring their experiences so far in resisting the invasion. Their accounts reveal how cultural identity has become both a target and a tool in this war and how they endeavour to protect it.
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Nataliia Ivanova, Director of the Yermilov Centre in Kharkiv. This contemporary art space is literally a bomb shelter.
Resilience & Cultural Cooperation
Explore examples showing how cultural collaborations between Dutch and Ukrainian cultural actors expanded understanding of this incredible situation and strengthened the sector’s capability to bounce back.
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Field trip of the Heritage Emergency Rescue Response Initiative (HERI) and the Maidan Museum
Amid the destruction, art and culture remain weapons of resistance. Their work sends a clear message: Ukraine’s history will not be erased. Its culture will not be silenced. And even in war, art and culture will always endure.
While the resilience of Ukraine’s artists and institutions is deeply inspiring, sustaining this strength requires ongoing international attention and support.
