“We support Ukraine’s struggle for freedom in the long term and at all levels”, – Minister of International Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Sweden
The Ukrainian Institute in Sweden has received its own premises in the center of Stockholm and for the first time in 10 years since its establishment has its own home.
On December 20, Minister of International Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Sweden Johan Forssell inaugurated the Ukrainian Institute in Sweden on the island of Strömsborg. From now on, the cultural and diplomatic organization, founded in 2014 by Ukrainian-Swedish concert pianist Natalia Pasichnyk, will work in the historic center of the Swedish capital, near the Nobel Museum, the Royal Palace and the Riksdag.
“Sweden’s support for Ukraine is extensive and long-term. The work of the Ukrainian Institute in Stockholm is an important part of the protection of Ukrainian cultural heritage and helps to spread knowledge and understanding of Ukraine in Sweden. From the Swedish side, we are clear that we support Ukraine’s struggle for freedom, long-term and at all levels,” said Johan Forssell.
For nine years, the Ukrainian Institute in Sweden has been filling a large gap in the knowledge and understanding of Ukraine through culture in Scandinavia.
“Few people could name even one Ukrainian writer or composer before the Great Invasion. And only now the West has finally realized why. There should not have been a Ukrainian cultural heritage, because according to the current Russian leader, as well as his predecessors, “there is no such nation.” The Russian narrative is that Ukrainians are Russians, who have refused to recognize this time and again throughout history. And the aggressor claims that this war is needed to explain this to Ukrainians once and for all,” emphasized Pasichnyk.
The reopening of the Institute – now in its own premises – marks a milestone and an important step forward for its continued work to raise awareness of Ukraine’s significant cultural heritage and rich cultural life.
“We are entering a new chapter as we have fantastic premises to share with our incredibly welcoming partners at International IDEA,” added the founder of the Ukrainian Institute in Sweden.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the delegation of the Central Election Commission of Ukraine, which is currently participating in International IDEA events in Stockholm.
For reference:
The Ukrainian Institute in Sweden is a platform for Swedes and Ukrainians to meet, raising awareness of Ukraine’s significant heritage and rich cultural life. The organization works to strengthen Swedish-Ukrainian cultural ties. We believe that knowledge about each other and cultural cooperation are central elements of our society’s resistance to future threats. Our role is unique – we were the first Ukraine-centered organization to become an associate member of the Stockholm Cluster of the European Union National Institute for Culture (EUNIC) in 2014, and within this network we have become an integral part of the European cultural scene.
Over the years, we have organized the Young Talents – Ukraine concert series for young talents from Ukraine, the Rethinking Europe music festival, poetry evenings, events with Swedish and international authors, the Nordic Ukrainian Film Festival, and other events. Together with our partners from the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), we regularly participate in film festivals (e.g. REX Animation Festival, European Film Festival, Sounds of Silence) and other events such as concerts, panel debates, European Day of Languages, etc.
International IDEA – International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – is an intergovernmental organization that supports democracy around the world. The vision and mission of the organization is to advance democracy worldwide as a universal human aspiration and a factor in sustainable development by supporting the development, strengthening and protection of democratic political institutions and processes at all levels. International IDEA is headquartered in Stockholm, on the island of Strömsborg, where the Ukrainian Institute in Sweden has now found its home.
