On 28 October, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa held a meeting with a delegation led by the President of the French Institute, Eva Nguyen Binh.

The parties discussed preparations for the Season of Ukraine in France, “Voyage to Ukraine,” which will run from December 2025 to March 2026.

The interlocutors focused in detail on the vision and program priorities of the Season, as well as the importance of the initiative in the context of Russia’s ongoing aggression. It was emphasized that Russia seeks to destroy not only Ukraine, but Ukrainian identity as such; therefore, the decolonization of history and culture and the return of what is Ukrainian to Ukraine are especially critical today.

One of the Season’s important tracks will be a humanitarian one devoted to the return of Ukrainian children who were illegally deported from Ukraine by Russia.

“The Season of Ukraine in France, ‘Voyage to Ukraine,’ will be a major window onto contemporary Ukrainian culture—free, resilient, and innovative. Today, culture is an integral part of our struggle for identity and distinctiveness. We are grateful to our French partners for their trust and support. Together we continue to reveal to France a Ukraine that creates and prevails,” said Mariana Betsa.

For her part, Eva Nguyen Binh emphasized that even at this preparatory stage, the event is already attracting substantial attention and interest from the media, French regions, and cultural institutions—not only in France but also in other European countries. She added that the Season will be an effective tool for further scaling up cultural cooperation between Ukraine and France.