On 1 May 2026, the International Conference “Ukraine and EU: relations in perspective of intercultural communication” took place at the National University of Ostroh Academy as part of the Ostroh Cultural Readings. The event was organized within the framework of the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Module “European Studies of Intercultural Communication: the EU experience for Ukraine” (EuCultCom). The conference was held online and began at 10:00.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Dmytro Shevchuk, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, Vice-Rector for Academic and Research Affairs; Maksym Karpovets, Candidate of Philosophy, Associate Professor, Director of the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Management; and Maria Petrushkevych, Doctor of Philosophy, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Philosophy and Cultural Management.
The conference was held in two sections. The first section, “Theoretical Cultural Studies. Contemporary Trends in Culture,” was moderated by Maria Petrushkevych. It focused on the theoretical foundations for understanding culture in the context of globalization and the challenges of war. Participants examined cultural identity and values in the era of globalization and glocalization, that is, how Ukraine and Europe interact within a shared cultural space while preserving their distinctiveness. Particular attention was given to memory and memorialization, including the Holocaust as a practice of cultural genocide. These issues are key to European dialogue, since a shared culture of remembrance forms the basis for mutual understanding between nations. Papers on the spiritual identity of Ukrainian servicemen, cultural practices for overcoming loneliness, and the collective experience of war showed how Ukraine conveys its experience of resilience to the European community. Studies of political culture and values as factors in decision-making, gender stereotypes in the context of cultural anthropology, the aesthetics of virtual space, and the influence of artificial intelligence on the role of the cultural creator addressed questions common to the entire European space. Discussing them makes it possible to compare cultural codes, identify differences in perception, and find a common language between different cultures.
The second section, “Historical and Cultural Studies. Applied Aspects of Cultural Studies,” was moderated by Dmytro Shevchuk. It focused on historical experience and contemporary cultural practices that shape the image of Ukraine in the European context. Participants discussed post-disaster reconstruction and the role of architecture and urban space in social recovery, murals that shape the visual identity of Ukrainian cities, and photography as a means of documenting the war and conveying the truth about it to a global audience. Artistic and literary topics, including the transformation of the Tree of Life archetype, folk ritual culture, and icon painting, demonstrated that Ukrainian tradition is an organic part of European cultural heritage while retaining its originality. Historical studies of theosophical discourse and the experience of multicultural dialogue in Ukraine showed that openness to other cultures has deep roots. Reflections on intercultural communication in the context of military challenges and on religious diplomacy amid hybrid threats underscored the practical importance of intercultural dialogue for countering disinformation and promoting European values. Papers on the use of artificial intelligence tools in working with heritage showed how new technologies can help preserve and promote cultural assets in Ukraine and Europe.
The conference brought together researchers, doctoral students, postgraduate students, and students from the National University of Ostroh Academy, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, Rivne State University of Humanities, Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, the National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute,” the National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, the Lviv National Academy of Arts, the Rylsky Institute of Art Studies, Folklore and Ethnology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava (Slovak Republic).
The conference served as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on cultural processes in Ukraine and Europe. It showed that intercultural communication is an important tool for mutual understanding, the preservation of identity, and deeper cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union.
The event was held within the framework of the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Module “European Studies of Intercultural Communication: the EU experience for Ukraine”. Project acronym: EuCultCom. Project number: 101126800. Call: ERASMUS-JMO-2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH. Topic: ERASMUS-JMO-2023-MODULE.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.