• In Ukraine, Diane Regny, journalist at 20 minutes met Thursday in Kiev, Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Culture since June 2020.
  • With him, she talks about the war in Ukraine of course, but also how the conflict has damaged the culture of the country and the role of the minister in a devastated country.
  • "We encourage the boycott of Russian culture because it is a cog in the Russian war machine," Tkachenko said.

From our Special Envoy to Ukraine,

The appointment is made, Thursday at 11:30 am in Kiev. It is within the Ministry of Culture that Oleksandr Tkachenko will receive 20 Minutes to discuss art in a country at war. At the entrance of the ministry, the papers are checked, the security gate passed. No search but a waiting time of circumstances to meet a minister whose phone "never sleeps". Oleksandr Tkachenko's assistant will give the start of twenty-five minutes of interview with a minister experienced in the exercise. Here no tie, but the hoodie à la Zelensky. Prolix, Oleksandr Tkachenko unfolds information and elements of language surrounded by books. On the meeting table, a Ukrainian book translated into French (subtly) posed. Behind his phone, the coat of arms and colors of the country. And, in front of 20 Minutes, a minister who speaks bluntly of the "greatest cultural plunder of Ukraine" since the Second World War.

How much has the war harmed Ukrainian culture?

The war turned everything upside down in our daily lives and it certainly had consequences on Ukrainian culture. More than 1,300 cultural venues such as museums, theaters, bookstores and churches have been destroyed since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Ukraine is suffering its greatest cultural plunder since World War II. Unfortunately, because of the war, there has been a 30 to 50% decrease in local subsidies for culture, depending on the region and the difficulties they face. We rely a lot on our European partners, we feel their support. For example, the French Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak, went to Kiev a month ago to announce the creation of a European fund dedicated to cinema. Unfortunately this is not enough, Ukrainian culture needs more help to continue to bear fruit in times of war.

How does the world of culture show resilience?

Ukrainian cultural actors have understood that they have an important role to play. 75% of cultural workers remained in the country despite the war. They speak with one voice and are united to promote Ukrainian culture. New projects continue to emerge. Since the beginning of the war, 50 new plays have been launched and 3,000 cultural events such as concerts or exhibitions have been organized in Europe. We have seen a 10% increase in the creation of works!

Many artists go to the front on their own to support the Ukrainian forces by organizing cultural events such as concerts. »

Russia claims that Russian and Ukrainian culture are one and the same. What do you think?

This is the Kremlin's narrative. They claim that we have the same culture, the same people, the same history. That Ukraine as a country does not exist. This is a stupid design. When we look at history, we see that for centuries the Kremlin has been trying to destroy our people. For centuries, Russians have been fighting against Ukrainian culture, which is more democratic than their own. They loot Ukrainian cultural works, which shows how much they understand the importance of our culture. Russian forces withdrew Ukrainian pounds from occupied areas, including Kharkiv Oblast. This is proof that they want to destroy Ukrainian culture. That they want to deny it.

Has your role as Minister of Culture changed since the beginning of the war?

Ask my doctor! (laughs) Yes, my role has evolved because I am part of the resistance. My phone never sleeps. We need to respond to new issues. It is necessary to support Ukrainian art and artists, promote Ukrainian culture and combat Moscow's propaganda. We have managed to carry out beautiful projects such as sending one million pounds to Ukrainian children who have fled the war, both at home and abroad. At the beginning of the war, we launched the project "the telemarathon" which brought together the biggest television channels to broadcast information about the war with one voice but also "Freedom channel" to deliver information in Russian [for Russian speakers in Ukraine but also Russians who want to be informed differently]. Together with our European partners, we have also imposed sanctions on Russian media and artists who promote war.

Do you call for a boycott of Russian culture?

We encourage the boycott of Russian culture because it is a cog in the Russian war machine. Moscow uses it as an instrument of war. In one hand they carry a book of Alexander Pushkin, in the other arms. Recently, we encouraged the cancellation of the appearance of Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko at the Maifestspiele Wiesbadin International Festival in Germany. This singer openly supported the war in Donbass [in 2014] and Vladimir Putin, although she has since changed her rhetoric and says she is for peace.

Our dossier on the war in Ukraine

This is just one example, but it is important to understand that by giving a platform to these artists, we are giving a platform to the thought of the Kremlin. Because Russia does not hesitate to use its artists as emblems. I sometimes hear that culture is not part of the war, but that is a mistake. Culture is not excluded from politics, let alone in times of war!

  • War in Ukraine
  • Russia
  • World
  • Moscow
  • Kiev (Kyiv)
  • Interview