On this Europe Day, 9 of May, a signing ceremony of the Partnership Agreement between EUNIC London and the Ukrainian Institute London took place. The Partnership agreement is an important step in enhancing a closer cooperation between the two partners, facilitating dialogue and strengthening European cultural relations.
EUNIC London (European Union National Institutes for Culture) is the network of the cultural institutes and embassies from the member states of the European Union in London. A branch of EUNIC Global, and one of the biggest in the world, the EUNIC London network was established in 2007 and has at present 33 members and one partner who share knowledge and resources in order to promote greater cooperation and develop partnerships between European nations and UK organisations.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the members of EUNIC London have expressed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people by organising various events in collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute London, such as screenings, round tables, and other fundraising events, encouraging people to donate to grassroots organisations providing humanitarian aid in Ukraine – with a focus on medical provision and refugee support.
Together with 25 other members, Ukraine was also invited to take part in the In Short Europe film festival, a programme organised by EUNIC London with the support of the EU Delegation to the United-Kingdom and the Institut français du Royaume-Uni on 7 of May.
To achieve a further step towards Ukraine’s integration into this European network, it was decided, in accordance with EUNIC Global guidelines, to invite the Ukrainian Institute London to join the EUNIC London as a Partner.
On this Europe Day, to symbolically reinforce the invitation of Ukraine to this European network, Mathias Rambaud (Attaché for Books & Ideas, Head of the Book Department, Institut français du Royaume-Uni), Marios Psaras (Cultural Counsellor, Cyprus High Commission), and Ūla Tornau (Cultural Attaché, Embassy of Lithuania) co-presidents of EUNIC London welcomed the Director of the Ukrainian Institute London, Olesya Khromeychuk, at the Cyprus High Commission and signed the agreement in the presence of EUNIC members.
As a partner, the Ukrainian Institute London can now fully participate in all EUNIC London projects, such as In Short Europe film festival, European Writers, Europe Readr Podcast, EUNICAST, Imagining futures, Books for thought… Our common mission will be to promote productive dialogue and cultural exchange, while continuing to highlight the power of culture as an agent of solidarity and tolerance.
EUNIC London
Download the press release here.