Senior European and Ukrainian officials gathered at the French Ministry of Culture for discussions on safeguarding Ukraine's cultural heritage and architecture, with the event co-organized by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) during the Ukraine Season in France.
The high-level talks brought together French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna, Commissioner Micallef, and ALIPH Foundation Chair Bariza Khiari, alongside representatives from leading cultural institutions and the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in France.
Participants examined current challenges in protecting Ukrainian cultural assets under threat and coordinated strategies for the restoration of damaged architectural and cultural sites. The meeting focused on defining concrete next steps for heritage preservation efforts as the conflict continues to impact Ukraine's cultural landscape.
French Minister Rachida Dati declared that France is joining the Cultural Resilience Alliance (an international platform launched in 2025 to coordinate support for Ukraine's cultural sector). France will contribute expertise in heritage protection, creative industries, and cooperation, in coordination with its Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
European Commissioner for Youth, Culture, Sport and Intergenerational Fairness Glenn Micallef emphasized the strategic importance of the issue, stating at the meeting: "Because culture is Europe's first line of defence. It connects people. It carries memory. Culture shapes who we are. [...] Ukraine's future is Europe's future. And culture belongs at the centre of that future."
