On 27-28 August 2022, the Ambassador of Ukraine visited the Danish Political Festival of Europe which was held for the first time in the picturesque North Jutland in the town of Mariager. The 4 days event brought together political, non-governmental and business organizations from all over Europe. In particular, the speakers of the Festival were representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament, politicians of various political movements of Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy and Lithuania, ministers of a number of departments of Denmark, Czechia and Latvia, as well as Ambassadors of 12 European states.

During the Political Festival of Europe, about 300 events of various formats took place with the participation of more than 200 speakers. About 19,000 guests attended important discussions on the most pressing issues in Europe devoted to foreign policy and security, human rights, green transformation and green energy, the circular economy, sustainable food production, migration, digitalization and many other issues.

The Ambassador of Ukraine took part in the following debates:

• “The Eastern Enlargement of the European Union – New Friends Approaching” with the participation of the heads of diplomatic missions of the countries of the Associated Trio;
• “Is the conflict in Europe a symptom of failed foreign policy?” with the participation of a representative of the Foreign Policy Council of the Folketing and the Ambassadors of European states;
• “How can we create peace in the world?” with the participation of the UN negotiator and the executive director of the Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy.

In addition, the Head of the Ukrainian Embassy took part in a cultural and culinary diplomacy event organized jointly with the “Danish European Movement” (“Europabevægelsen”), during which Ambassador Mykhailo Vydoinyk and Chairman of the “Europabevægelsen” Stine Bosse discussed the cultural traditions of Ukraine, the ongoing struggle against the invader which is trying to steal Ukrainian history, and also prepared delicious potato pancakes (Ukrainian “deruny”) that everyone could taste.

Also, the Ukrainian Ambassador was a guest of honour at the closing ceremony of the Festival where he once again thanked Denmark and the Danish people for the practical support of Ukraine in the war against the Russian aggressor.

During the entire Festival, Ukraine was represented by a Ukrainian stand where souvenirs were sold and funds were raised for humanitarian aid to Ukrainians suffered from the war, which was organized by the Association of Ukrainians in Denmark and the Volunteer Union “Bevar Ukraine”.

Photo Credit: Ukrainian Embassy and Political Festival of Europe