Ukraine Culture Security Forum held at the Embassy of Poland in Berlin
Culture as a tool for resilience, solidarity, and security
November 13th, 2025
On the 22-23rd of October 2025 the Ukraine Culture Security Forum, held at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Germany, brought together diplomats, museum leaders, policymakers, and cultural professionals from Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and France.
The international event was dedicated to the role of culture in strengthening resilience and defending democracy during war and was organized by the OBMIN Foundation under the patronage of the Polish and Ukrainian Embassies, in cooperation with the German Federal Foreign Office, France’s Embassy in Germany, and a wide network of partners.
The Forum highlighted how Russia’s war of aggression has made cultural heritage a direct target, emphasizing that safeguarding culture is crucial to preserving national identity and societal resilience. New initiatives, including the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund, were presented, alongside projects integrating intangible cultural heritage into education programs across Europe.
The program featured four panels addressing culture’s integration into national security frameworks, its role in hybrid warfare and narrative building, the prevention of illicit trafficking and displacement of cultural assets, and the protection of heritage during conflict. Participants stressed the essential function of museums and cultural institutions as spaces of trust, critical thinking, and community engagement, and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in preserving and restoring endangered cultural property.
The Forum underscored that cultural security is not only a national concern but a shared European responsibility. Strengthening networks, supporting local institutions, and engaging communities were identified as key strategies for maintaining cultural resilience. The event concluded with a clear message: culture is a foundational component of democracy and security, and protecting it is integral to sustaining freedom, identity, and social cohesion in Europe and beyond.
References:
- https://instytutpolski.pl/berlin/2025/10/17/conference-ukraine-culture-security-forum/
- https://de.ui.org.ua/en/ukraine-culture-security-forum-2025-in-berlin-2/
- https://www.culture-connect.net/events/2025/ukraine
- https://mcsc.gov.ua/en/news/ukraine-cultural-security-forum-started-in-berlin-culture-as-a-tool-for-resilience-solidarity-and-security/
- https://obmin.eu/conferences.php?id=5
