II Decolonizing Mindsets for Security in Ukraine and Europe Forum
Copenhagen, Denmark – April 25, 2025 – Ukraine House in Denmark invites to join us for a second edition of the Decolonizing Mindsets for Security in Europe Forum. In this iteration, the cultural dimension of decolonization will be in focus.
Historically, culture was used as a powerful tool of both colonial ambitions and national resistance against the erasure of collective identity. From global trends and best practices in cultural rightful retribution to making space for formerly repressed and colonized voices, we invite you to join us in discussion on the latest crucial movements in cultural resistance to Russian colonialism and its implications in the broader geopolitical context.
We will be joined by experts from across Scandinavia, Eastern and Western Europe to reflect and compare notes: how has colonializm impacted international perceptions of European art and cultural heritage? And how does one decolonize their collections?
We will be able to hear the thoughts of, among others:
- Tetyana Filevska – creative director of the Ukrainian Institute and researcher of Ukrainian art of the 20th century. Among all else, Tetyana will present, for the first time, the Decolonising guide for Museums, focused on recognising and resisting Russian colonializm.
- Frederik Rosén – director of the Nordic Center for Cultural Heritage and Armed Conflict, Adjunct Associate Professor at Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen.
- Kateryna Botanova – cultural critic, curator, writer focusing on decoloniality in art and culture in Eastern Europe and the Global South.
- Annika Hvithamar – head of the Institute of Regional / Cross Cultural Studies, University of Copenhagen.
Date: April 25, 2025
Time: 14:00 – 18:00
Location: Ukraine House in Denmark, Strandgade 27B, Copenhagen
Entrance is free. Register via: bit.ly/4kPu4Mp
This event is organised in collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute, Blueshield Denmark, Open Society Foundation, Politiken Foundation, and the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Denmark.
For more information, contact Ukraine House in Denmark at info@ukrainehouse.dk
For media inquiries, please contact press@ukrainehouse.dk
Keywords
About Ukraine House
The Ukraine House in Denmark is a civil society organisation of Ukrainian cultural diplomacy based in Copenhagen. Its mission is to form an enduring positive influence of Ukraine on Ukrainian-Danish cooperation, security, and lasting peace in Europe.
Subscribe to releases from Ukraine House in Denmark
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Ukraine House in Denmark by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Ukraine House in Denmark
Democracy stands because the Ukrainian infantry stands: Ukraine House at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit20.5.2025 12:42:36 CEST | Press release
Since 2022, the Copenhagen Democracy Summit has become a vital platform for Ukraine House in Denmark to bring Ukraine’s voice to those shaping global politics and policies. At the entrance of CDS 2025, Ukraine House in Denmark, in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine, presented a modest but powerful installation by the Ukrainian Infantry: “Democracy stands because the Ukrainian infantry stands.” It featured combat-worn boots from the frontline—not parade boots like those seen on Red Square, but real, battered ones, marked by mud and fire. The boots are silent witnesses to sacrifice, and a reminder that freedom never defends itself. Someone always does.
“... when you have a real tragedy in front of your eyes, ... you cannot invent a more tragic story than life can produce. I couldn’t write fiction for two and a half years.” Ukraine House hosts conversation with Andrei Kurkov19.5.2025 15:20:49 CEST | Press release
On May 2, Ukraine House in Denmark hosted a literary evening with Andrei Kurkov, one of Ukraine's most prolific and internationally recognized authors. The writer shared his personal reflections on becoming an author under the Soviet regime and the impact of war on national identity and contemporary literature.
Ukraine House in Denmark Hosts Chornobyl Legacy Discussion with Professor Serhii Plokhy7.5.2025 08:00:00 CEST | Press release
On Sunday, April 27, Ukraine House in Denmark had the honour of hosting a discussion dedicated to the legacy and present-day relevance of the Chornobyl disaster. We were privileged to welcome Professor Serhii Plokhii, Director of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University and a globally recognized authority on nuclear catastrophes. Professor Plokhii, who joined us at the opening of Ukraine House, opened by reminding us that “authoritarian regimes are there to create disasters—small disasters and big disasters—and Chornobyl is about a big disaster that can destroy life on Earth.” He went on to draw a chilling parallel between 1986 and 2022: “The most disturbing part of that new Chornobyl crisis that emerged in 2022 was that it was caused by the very same phenomenon—the authoritarian regime that has complete disregard for norms of international law, for human life, for environmental concerns.”
II Forum “Decolonizing Mindsets for Security in Europe” Calls for Urgent Cultural Reframing to Strengthen Democracy2.5.2025 08:00:00 CEST | Press release
On April 25, Ukraine House in Denmark hosted the second edition of the Forum “Decolonizing Mindsets for Security in Europe,” convening leading cultural and political thinkers to examine how colonial legacies shape memory, policy, and Europe’s security landscape. “At a time when cultural policy, memory, and history shape the global struggle for freedom and democracy, it's vital to reflect critically on the narratives that define how we see the US, Europe, Ukraine, and Russia. For Ukrainians, decolonisation means uncovering layers of russification and reclaiming our history, culture, and decision-making free from Russian-centric optics. But Ukraine’s security also depends on the willingness of democratic allies to emancipate themselves from cultural superpower biases—to recognise Ukrainian contributions to world heritage and engage with Ukraine as an equal partner in defending dignity and democracy. That’s why we will continue to foster dialogue around decolonizing mindsets—because only
Making Russia Pay – International Accountability Pathways to Justice discussed at Ukraine House Panel16.4.2025 08:01:53 CEST | Press release
As Russia’s war enters its third year, the question isn’t whether Ukraine will endure—but whether justice will. On April 9, Ukraine House in Denmark, in partnership with the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, convened a public discussion, “Establishing Accountability for Russia’s Actions in Ukraine”, with a sharp focus: how the world can make Russia pay—literally and legally—for its aggression. Featuring Jonas Parello-Plesner, Executive Director of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, and Julia Kyrpa, Board Member of the Register of Damage for Ukraine (RD4U), the conversation illuminated a fast-moving and historic effort: building an international compensation system without Russia’s consent.
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom