External Ukrainian Events in the Framework of the MSC 2025
Security Policy and Culture: The Ukrainian Institute, together with partners, is conducting a series of panel discussions and a screening of the film Malevych during the Munich Security Conference 2025, featuring Yale University Professor Timothy Snyder, Ukrainian avant-garde researcher Tetyana Filevska, and recently released journalist and human rights activist Maksym Butkevych.
On 14 February, the Münchener Künstlerhaus will host a series of expert discussions dedicated to the relationship between security policy and culture. The panel ‘Is Europe Ready to Defend its Freedom? Culture as a Form of Resistance’ will bring together unique speakers, including recently released journalist Maksym Butkevych, University of Bonn Professor Martin Aust, and Director of the Goethe-Institut in Ukraine Fabian Mühthaler.
Another panel, ‘The Role of Culture in Hybrid Wars. The Case of Malevych: Debunking Russian Propaganda Myths’, will be dedicated to the topic of decolonisation. Among the speakers of this panel is the renowned American researcher, historian, author of many books about Ukraine, and Yale University Professor Timothy Snyder. From Ukraine, Tetyana Filevska, Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute, researcher of Ukrainian avant-garde and author of several books about Kazimir Malevych, and creative producer of the feature film Malevych, will travel to participate in the discussion. The discussion will also feature German scholar, Professor at the University of Munich, Eastern European history researcher Franziska Davies, and German writer, Holocaust witness Roman Haller.
Tetyana Filevska, Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute:
‘The understanding of culture as a component of national security has emerged relatively recently. Along with the concept of “soft power” came the understanding that culture is a significant factor in global influences, but only after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, which is part of Russia’s hybrid war against the democratic world, did it become evident that culture and art can be instrumentalised by the aggressor for influence and preparation for attack. The field of culture is part of the struggle, and justice regarding cultural heritage plays an important role in understanding sustainable peace, primarily for Ukraine, but also for the entire world. That is why it is important for us to explain why Kazimir Malevych is part of Ukrainian culture, like many other names that Russia has appropriated over centuries’.
Maria Keil, co-organiser of the events, producer at ‘Big Hand Films’:
‘Today, culture is not only art but also security, identity, and a weapon in the fight for truth. Ukrainian culture has proved that it is unbreakable, and we have a duty to protect it not only on the frontline but also in the international information space’.
The Ukrainian Free University will also join this evening, and their initiated panel discussion ‘Western Strategy for Ukraine – Ways Out of the War’ will feature politicians who are official Conference participants. The speakers for this discussion have not yet been announced.
On 15 February, the Royal Film Palast will host the premiere screening of the historical drama Malevych (Ukraine/Switzerland/Italy/Serbia, 2024). The film tells the story of the prominent Ukrainian artist’s struggle against Soviet authorities for the right to creative freedom. A discussion with the film’s creators is planned after the screening.
Daria Onyshchenko, director of Malevych:
‘This project is not just a film about an artist; it is an attempt to restore historical justice, and my own perception of Malevych. Now, when new foreign policy threats are growing in the world not only for Ukraine but for all of Europe, it is more important than ever to know and understand our history. This film shows how the underestimation of the threat of Russian imperialism has led to the war we have now’.
On the same day, a traditional rally in support of Ukraine will be held at Odeonsplatz, featuring leading international politicians, cultural figures, and activists.
Organisers and partners of Ukrainian events in Munich:
Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Consulate General of Ukraine in Munich, Goethe-Institut in Ukraine, Ukrainian Institute, Ukrainian Free University, Thomas Dehler Foundation, Centre for Liberal Modernity, Big Hand Films, Janusz Korczak Academy, Artwinery, Fellas for Europe, Denkraum Ukraine, Reutlinger Kollegium, Ukrainian Community of Munich.