Berezhna on Russian artists' post-war tours: Things will never be the same they were before
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture Tуtшana Berezhna believes that the presence of Russian artists on Ukrainian stages after the war is considered bad form and will not be accepted by society.
"My vision is that Ukraine and Russia are countries with completely different worldviews and values. It's difficult to say what will happen after our victory, but I am convinced that the presence of Russian artists on Ukrainian stages will not only be bad form, but also completely unacceptable for the soldiers returning from the front and the families who have lost their protectors. We are entering a new era in the perception of the 'Russian world' and Russian cultural products. Things will never be as they were before," Berezhna said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, answering the question of whether so-called good Russian artists will be allowed to tour Ukraine after the war ends.
Among other things, Berezhna said in the interview that she was raised in complete alienation from Russian culture: she doesn't speak Russian and wasn't exposed to Russian films, books, or fairy tales.
"It's a completely foreign culture to me. But Ukrainian culture is very dear and valuable to me, and I'm truly happy that life has given me the opportunity to strengthen it in this position," she emphasized.
As reported, in April 2023, then-Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko stated that he believed cultural cooperation with some Russians was possible after the war ended. However, as for Russian cultural figures, who have currently adopted a neutral position and do not support either side of the conflict, the minister believes they will not be needed "to physically appear here in Ukraine for quite some time."
