“European Dialogue: Culture. Cooperation. Future” Forum

On 28 April 2026, in Rome,

at Esperienza Europa – David Sassoli, the space of the European Parliament Office in Italy,

a landmark international event took place: the “European Dialogue: Culture. Cooperation. Future” Forum.

Initiated by the Department of Culture of the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI) in cooperation with the European Parliament Office in Italy, the Forum brought together representatives of Ukrainian state institutions, international organisations, European cultural institutions and the academic community, as well as artists, curators and civil society figures.

The event was given particular weight by the participation of representatives of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine – Anatolii Ostapenko, Heorhii Mazurashu and Valerii Zub – and of Liudmyla Onufriiese. In their speeches they stressed the importance of cultural diplomacy as a tool for international partnership and for Ukraine’s European integration.

Speaking for the organisers:

• Lara Levchun — President of the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy
• Liudmyla Horbachyk — Head of CNAUI’s Department of Culture, curator of the Forum
• Olena Hromova — curator of the international art and culture project “Un ponte di colori”

The Forum featured the presentation of the international art project “Un ponte di colori”, the opening of an exhibition of Ukrainian artists and themed panel discussions, as well as runway shows of designer collections by Uliana Yavorska and of handcrafted wax flower crowns by Viktoriia and Anna Kolotiuk.

Particularly valuable was the readiness for international cooperation shown by leading Ukrainian academic institutions:

* Volodymyr Hnatiuk Ternopil National Pedagogical University

* Khortytsia National Academy

* Kherson National Technical University

* Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design

* Lutsk National Technical University

This opens up new prospects for joint educational programmes, scientific research, artist residencies and international academic partnerships.

Guests of honour included:

Giuseppe Soriero, Maurizio Colace, Stella Maresca, Rafael Manuel Chavez, Alla Platash, Ivanna Tlumatska, Halyna Bondaruk and Hosha Pritviradzh.

Also present was Tamara Cherpakova, Minister-Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ukraine in the Italian Republic.

One of the Forum’s most important outcomes was the launch of the process around the “Carta di Roma 2026” (Rome Charter 2026) on cultural, artistic and educational cooperation between Italy and Ukraine, initiated by the Department of Culture of the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI) with the institutional and project support of International Culture Foundation – ETS.

The Carta di Roma 2026 is a solemn act of cultural and civic diplomacy, intended to lay the foundations for a lasting platform of cooperation between Italy and Ukraine,

open to Academies of Fine Arts, universities, conservatories, art institutes, cultural institutions, associations, foundations, artists, researchers and cultural practitioners.

By signing the Charter, the signatories affirm their willingness to help build a cultural, educational and artistic bridge between the two countries, one that looks to the future: a shared space for dialogue, project design, learning and international cooperation.

The Charter will remain open for signature by organisations, institutions, associations, artists and individuals who wish to join the process, in accordance with procedures to be drawn up by CNAUI’s Department of Culture.

The Forum was not only a space for dialogue but also a decisive step towards building a new European cultural network, strengthening international partnerships and bringing Ukrainian cultural output into the European space.

A number of international memoranda of cooperation were also signed at the Forum, together with the founding documents of the international art and culture association “Un ponte di colori” – further evidence of a shared will to turn cultural dialogue into concrete paths of cooperation.

The Forum stands out not merely as a meeting place but as a decisive stage in building a new European cultural network, strengthening international partnerships and integrating Ukraine’s cultural and artistic heritage into the European space.

At a time when culture is called upon to preserve memory, defend the dignity of peoples and open paths to the future, the “European Dialogue: Culture. Cooperation. Future” Forum delivered a strong and much-needed message to Rome: through art, education and cooperation, Italy and Ukraine can build a lasting bridge of friendship, mutual recognition and European responsibility.

15 photos

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