In a defiant display of solidarity, the UK and Germany have joined forces to celebrate and safeguard national identities across Europe – including Ukraine’s imperiled cultural heritage.
Speaking at the revived UK-Germany Cultural Commission in London, Minister for Europe Nusrat Ghani issued a rallying cry:
“When national identities are threatened, our culture becomes even more important. As Russia seeks to wipe Ukrainian culture off the continent, we cannot stand idly by.”
Her remarks carried an unmistakable message to Moscow with a touch of British wit.
Reviving Cultural Ties
The Commission’s meeting marked the first time in over three decades that the long-standing forum for bilateral cooperation convened in the UK.
Alongside German counterpart Katja Keul, Ghani co-chaired the event championing the nations’ “inextricable” cultural links – from language exchange to the European Football Championship headed to Germany this year.
Key Areas of Cooperation:
- Promotion of German language learning in UK
- Student/youth exchanges via UK German Connection
- Joint higher education and research initiatives
- Protection of cultural heritage sites
The two governments reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cultural, educational and people-to-people ties. High-profile attendees included illustrator Axel Scheffler of The Gruffalo fame and DCMS Minister Lord Parkinson.
New UK-Germany Chapter
The forum built on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent visit to Berlin, where he heralded a “new chapter” in the bilateral relationship. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spurring enhanced cooperation, the UK and Germany pledged a strengthened stance against Putin’s aggression.
“From football to Bauhaus, the UK and Germany are inextricably linked through our culture, and these ties help form the foundation of our close alliance,”
Ghani stated. Her German counterpart echoed this sentiment at the cultural diplomacy event.
Preserving Ukrainian Identity
Yet the subtext was Russia’s multi-pronged campaign to systematically destroy Ukrainian national identity – from leveling cities to banning the Ukrainian language. The two allies vowed to counter such cultural erasure through solidarity with Kyiv.
“As Russia seeks to wipe Ukrainian culture off the face of our continent, we cannot stand idly by and must stand with our partners in solidarity with Ukraine, their identity and their people,”
Ghani declared. Her powerful words garnered a standing ovation.
In Conclusion
While hailing revitalized UK-German ties, both nations made clear their shared commitment to protecting cultural sovereignty for all Europeans – Ukraine foremost. As legal battles over restitution of looted artifacts loom, preserving minority cultures will likely remain a priority amid the harsh realities of Putin’s cultural purge.
Call-to-Action: For the latest on UK efforts to support Ukrainian cultural identity and heritage sites, visit gov.uk/ukraine-culture.
Sources: THX News, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office & Nusrat Ghani MP.
