Representatives of Lviv joined MONDIACULT 2025, the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, which is taking place in Barcelona from September 29 to October 1.
Ukraine and the realities in which Ukrainian culture is currently being created were the focus of the event “Culture, Peace, and Resilience” organized by the Lviv Culture Hub as part of the conference. At the meeting, the international community was presented with the experience of Lviv and the Hub itself, how cultural actors can be supported during the war, and how culture contributes to the recovery and cohesion of society.
In this conversation, Serhiy Kiral, Deputy Mayor of Lviv for International Cooperation, outlined the current processes in the cultural life of our city. He referred to the Cultural Development Strategy of Lviv Community 2035, which presents culture as a component of national security and identity and identifies heritage preservation, human capital development, and municipal cultural diplomacy as priority areas.
Another important focus is the city’s participation in the European Capital of Culture 2030 competition. Lviv’s concept, Responsibility to Be, is a story about the significant role of culture as a force that supports, strengthens, heals, restores, and gives hope in difficult times. Lviv represents the experience of Ukraine and Ukrainians as a whole. This is the first time Ukraine has joined the ECoC competition, and it is an important step towards European integration through culture.
Overall, the Conference focuses on the six interrelated areas: cultural rights; сulture and digital transformation; culture and education; economy of culture; culture and climate action; culture, heritage and crises. In addition, MONDIACULT 2025 addresses two cross-cutting focus areas of growing global relevance: culture and artificial intelligence, and culture and peace.
MONDIACULT 2025 brought together in Barcelona Ministers of Culture from all UNESCO Member States, alongside representatives of intergovernmental organizations, academia, civil society, youth as well as cultural professionals and private sector partners. MONDIACULT is held once every four years.
Lesia Sosnovska, Lviv Culture Hub.