Erase the Nation
On Tuesday 24th June, the European Parliament hosted a poignant event organised by the European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP), the people-to-people diplomacy programme. To celebrate its 50th anniversary of strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between EU and worldwide interlocutors, the initiative aimed to emphasise the urgency of reinforcing EU support to Ukraine in safeguarding its cultural heritage.
The EUVP presented the documentary film "Erase the Nation” that shed light on the cultural devastation in Ukraine amidst Russia's ongoing aggression. Testimonies from Ukrainian people reiterated that this war is not just on land, but on memory and culture.
Despite the attacks against museums, libraries and cultural sites, Ukrainians are determined to keep their identity alive. A particularly moving scene reflecting this resilience, shows a Ukrainian soldier playing the national anthem on a violin amidst the trenches, despite the sound of Russian bombs. Another symbolic example, is the statue of the Ukrainian philosopher Hryhorii Skovoroda that remained standing despite the bombing of the eponymous museum it is in.
The film also highlighted the concerted international and domestic efforts to help Ukraine preserve its identity. Poland, along with other nations, has actively stepped in to provide essential materials such as sandbags, crucial to protect these vulnerable sites. Ukrainian experts dedicate themselves to restore historical artifacts, ensuring that Ukraine's rich cultural legacy endures despite the ongoing threats. These collaborative efforts underscore a shared commitment across borders to safeguard Ukraine's cultural heritage for future generations.
Following the screening session, the panellists (see below) gathered to deep dive in the different themes tackled in the documentary and to discuss the role of the EU in its support to Ukraine. With the Ukrainian cultural heritage at stake, the EU is steadfast in its commitment, channeling resources into funding restoration projects aiming to revive and protect Ukraine's cultural landmarks. In addition, the EU provides military aid to reinforce Ukraine’s defence capabilities at this critical time. Thus, by showing its support to Ukraine in different fields, the EU wants to protect not only its citizens but also the very soul of the nation, ensuring that its rich heritage and identity continue to thrive in the face of adversity.
As the evening closed, a hopeful message resonated through the halls of the European Parliament: despite the ongoing destruction, an enduring strength as well as a global unity persists in preserving Ukrainian identity.
List of the panellists:
Sabine Verheyen – Vice-President of the European Parliament
Sir Mark V. Vlasic – Executive Producer of “Erase the Nation” – Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, EUVP Alumnus (2017)
David Lundy – Moderator -Strategy and Communication Unit – Directorate-General for Parliamentary Democracy Partnerships, European Parliament
Nela Riehl – Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education, European Parliament
Petras Auštrevičius – Member of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee
Oksana Diakun – Deputy Head of Mission of Ukraine to the European Union
Tomasz Grzywaczewski – Director of “Erase the Nation”
Peter M. Wagner – Director – Head of Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, European Commission