On the Ground study visits programme
The Ukrainian Institute has launched the On the Ground study visits programme for professionals in the field of culture (cultural managers, curators, artists, critics) and opinion leaders (writers, journalists, bloggers) to immerse themselves in the current cultural and social context of Ukraine, delving into its history and culture.
About the programme
The programme focuses on Ukraine’s resilience in the face of a full-scale invasion. Participants will have the opportunity to observe how Ukrainian society responds to the challenges of today and finds successful solutions even in the face of turbulence.
The name On the Ground emphasises hands-on experience, real-world observation, and interaction. Participants get to know Ukraine through visits to cultural institutions, such as art museums, galleries, theatres, and others, and participate in panel discussions with experts on professional topics. The programme includes meetings with key government institutions, human rights and volunteer organisations, and enables participants to attend professional networking events.
Visits of 2024
The second Polish delegation
In October, the second delegation of Polish journalists, authors, and opinion leaders will arrive in Ukraine, whose visit was organised by the Ukrainian Institute in cooperation with The Mieroszewski Centre. The delegation includes:
- Jacek Świąder, journalist, author of the bimonthly Książki. Magazyn do Czytania, the weekly Polityka, and the internet outlet Dwutygodnik.com.
- Olga Łozińska, a correspondent for the Polish Press Agency.
- Agnieszka Lichnerowicz, reporter at Radio Tok FM, author of the programme Światopodgląd and co-host of the podcast Rozumieć Ukrainę.
- Antoni Wiśniewski-Mischal, foreign department correspondent at the Polish Press Agency, where, among other topics, he helps to cover the war in Ukraine.
- Antonina Palarczyk, a journalist for the weekly Tygodnik Powszechny, for which she writes correspondence on the war in Ukraine.
- Jan Mikruta, a journalist at Polsat TV, co-author of the daily international magazine Dzień na świecie on the Polsat News channel.
- Antoni Michnik, co-founder of Grupa ETC, editor of Glissando quarterly.
- Anna Sanszuk, a journalist for Vogue Polska (culture section and podcasts), Newsweek Polska (Strefa Kultury section), Spotkania z Zabytkami magazine, and TV – Hala Odlotów on TVP Kultura. She also works with cultural festivals.
The first Polish delegation
In May, the first delegation of journalists, publicists, and political analysts from Poland arrived in Ukraine, a visit organised by the Ukrainian Institute in cooperation with The Mieroszewski Centre.
- Michał Szułdrzyński, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Rzeczpospolita
- Bartłomiej Radzejewski, president and founder of the analytical portal Nowa Konfederacja
- Mariusz Kowalczyk, a journalist at the Press portal
- Tomasz Terlikowski, writer, columnist at RMF
- Jan Lorenc, a journalist at Kanal Zero
During the programme, the participants visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the town of Borodyanka in the Kyiv region, and an exhibition at the Ukrainian House dedicated to the underground protest of Ukrainians living in the territories temporarily occupied by Russia.
The delegation of Polish journalists also visited the Information and Exhibition Center of the Maidan Museum, The Crimea Platform, the National Preserve Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the Veteran Hub, and the Khanenko Museum.
Visits of 2023
In 2023, the In Solidarity With Ukraine programme was launched, initiated by PEN Ukraine with the Ukrainian Institute and supported by the Prague Civil Society Centre. During that year, 4 delegations from Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and France visited Ukraine. As part of the initiative, 20 foreign writers, journalists, publicists, cultural managers, and opinion leaders held a series of meetings with Ukrainian cultural and human rights organisations, military journalists and artists, and visited de-occupied and frontline cities and villages affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Delegation from Italy
- Nona Mikhelidze, senior researcher at the Institute of International Relations in Rome
- Paola Peduzzi, journalist of Il Foglio media outlet
- Christian Rocca, editor-in-chief of Linkiesta
- Francesco Chiamulera, director of the Una Montagna di Libri festival
- Davide Maria De Luca, editor of Domani Editoriale
The participants met with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Among the civic and human rights organisations, they met with the Center for Civil Liberties, Truth Hounds, and CrimeaSOS. Also, they talked to representatives of the Book Arsenal, the Dovzhenko Center, the National Art Museum of Ukraine, and the Khanenko Museum. The visit included the Mystetskyi Arsenal, the Ukrainian House, and the Veteran Hub.
Delegation from France, Belgium and Latvia
- Denis Pepic, teacher and writer
- Olivier Truc, director and journalist
- Olivier Webe, war correspondent
- Emmanuel Carrere, author and writer
- Jānis Joņevs, volunteer and writer
The delegation visited Kharkiv and met with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and The Crimea Platform. Among the cultural organisations, they got acquainted with the activities of the Book Arsenal, the Dovzhenko Center, the National Art Museum of Ukraine, and the Khanenko Museum. They also visited the Ukrainian House, the Khanenko Museum, and Suspilne Media.
In addition, the delegation took part in the public event Republic of Literature. French writers in Kharkiv.
Delegation from Spain
- Vicent Partal, editor and founder of VilaWeb
- Irene Hernandez Velasco, editor-in-chief of the culture department of El Confidencial
- Mirian González, journalist
- José Manuel Cajigas, publisher and founder of Aviaz Publishing House
- Luis Doncel, deputy editor of the international department of El País
The delegates learned about the history and culture of Kyiv and visited Kyiv and Chernihiv regions.
The participants met with the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and representatives of the Crimea Platform. Among cultural organisations, they learned about the activities of the Dovzhenko Center, the National Art Museum of Ukraine, and the Khanenko Museum. They visited the Ukrainian House, the Khanenko Museum, and the Veteran Hub.
Delegation from the Netherlands and France
- Lisa Weeda, writer, director and screenwriter
- Jaap Scholten, writer and journalist
- Manon Uphoff, artist
- Florian Jacobs, writer
- Pascal Bruckner, French philosopher and writer
The participants met with representatives of the Crimea Platform. Among the cultural organisations, they got acquainted with the activities of the Book Arsenal, the Dovzhenko Center, The Khanenko Museum, the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, and the Veteran Hub.
Lisa Weeda, Jaap Scholten, Manon Uphoff, Florian Jacobs participated in a public discussion in the PEN space, and Pascal Bruckner partook in a public conversation Does Europe have the courage to stand up to new dictatorships? with PEN President and UkraineWorld Editor-in-Chief Volodymyr Yermolenko.