On 16-18 June 2022, the Ambassador of Ukraine visited the Danish political democratic festival “Folkemødet” (“People′s Assembly”) which annually brings together opinion leaders and influential Danish politicians.

This year′s informal meeting of the leaders of all Danish political parties as well as representatives of numerous think tanks, civil society and media organizations attracted 65,000 participants from all over Denmark, who took part in about 2,500 events, debates and political arrangements held at more than 200 venues and stages of the festival.

The Ambassador of Ukraine took part in the debates on the following topics:

• “Diplomatic work in wartime” organized by the Joint Professional Association of Denmark (“3F”);
• “The post-war period: How to rebuild Ukraine?” with the participation of former Folketing Speaker Mogens Lykketoft and “The European security architecture in the light of Ukraine” with the participation of Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod, organized by Danish digital media “Point of View International”;
• “Ukraine after the war” organized by the Danish Social Liberal Party and Chairman of the Foreign Policy Council of the Folketing Martin Lidegaard;
• “Art and culture in times of conflict and crisis” organized by the Danish Cultural Institute;
• “Ukraine – Can food support integration?” with the participation of the Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark Rasmus Prehn organized by the Danish Healthy Food Council;
• “Global leadership in a new world order” jointly organized by the Confederation of Danish Industry, “Djøf” trade union and “Mercuri Urval” company;
• “A road to EUs Open Strategic Autonomy in a global Economy” organized by the European Commission’s Representation in Denmark;
• “A liberal future for Ukraine and the EU” organized by the Liberal Party’s Landsorganisation;
• “Denmark′s support for the accession of Ukraine to the EU”, “From Ukraine to Denmark as a relocation”, “The reception of Ukrainian refugees in DK from their eyes”, “Denmark’s and the EU′s role in emergency aid and the reconstruction of Ukraine” jointly organized by the public organization “Europabevægelsen”, the Association of Ukrainians in Denmark, the Volunteer Union “Bevar Ukraine” and the Ukrainian Embassy in Denmark.

The Head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission also took part in the ceremony of presenting the annual award “European of the Year” which is a prize of “Europabevægelsen” organization worth 20,000 Danish kroner (~$2,880). It has been awarded since 2001 for the most significant European commitment of a European politician. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky became the winner of the 2022 award.

In addition, the Ukrainian Ambassador took part in one of the most important events of “Folkemødet” called “Evening of Democracy” where the annual “Dialogue” award was presented to the politician who most influenced the last year′s debates and also actively participated in the dialogue during “Folkemødet”. The winner of the award was Marie Stærke, Mayor of the city of Køge. As part of the event, the Ambassador participated in a discussion on the situation and development of democracy in Ukraine.

In general, the Ukrainian issue was broadly presented at this year’s political democratic festival. The war in Ukraine, humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, support for Ukrainian displaced persons, the future of the collective security system, and even the issue of protecting the island of Bornholm through the prism of Russian aggression in Ukraine – these and other issues were among topics of 162 events dedicated to Ukraine.

This year at the “People′s Assembly”, Ukraine was represented by the Embassy of Ukraine in Denmark, the Association of Ukrainians of Denmark, the Volunteer Union “Bevar Ukraine” and by numerous representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora who volunteered for a number of actions in support of Ukraine.

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