During wartime, cultural figures play a crucial role because they tell Ukraine's story, preserve the memory of all that the Ukrainian people have suffered, and revive what gives people strength.
This was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a speech during the 2024 Taras Shevchenko National Prize award ceremony, the President's Office reported.
“In times of war – even more than in times of peace – we must all remember the importance of culture. And people with culture matter. Everyone who speaks for Ukraine. Who speaks what is in their hearts. Who maintains everything we go through,” the president said. It revives what might have been forgotten, but it is renewed, it gives people strength, it gives feelings.”
The head of state said that Ukrainians have come a long way to become a nation and creators of their culture, state and destiny.
“For human society to become a nation and a state, the best people in the country must have hearts that do not live for themselves only. Such hearts speak to those around them. They care. They teach – they teach to understand. They unite.” “We protect. We provide when necessary. In the end, we all get to know each other, feel each other, feel Ukrainian,” the head of state said.
According to Volodymyr Zelensky, this became possible not only thanks to the power of Ukrainian weapons but also thanks to the power of people's hearts.
“In Mariupol, during the most terrifying days, there are those who understand: what they see, they must capture, keep it to tell the whole world about later. Whether it is someone who does not want to lose human memory what was seen somewhere along the way to Bakhmut or Experienced in temporarily occupied Skadovsk. And who feels: They must record this, rhyme this moment, rhyme this pain. Or is an artist who believes that the people of Ukraine, who were killed in this war, will be preserved in the emotions of those who are alive. “And who talk about it through their music. So that every living person in Ukraine remembers what this land is, what its people are, and what a mother's thoughts are as she waits for her son or daughter here in Ukraine.”
Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to everyone who lives “not only for himself but also cares for the people and the entire Ukrainian state.”
“I thank you, I thank everyone who is now on the front lines and who is with those who are on the front lines. Those who are with Ukraine, cherish it and develop it,” the head of state said.
