Ukraine Launches Major Culture Initiative

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed finalists and experts taking part in the final selection stage of Ukraine’s Tysiachovesna cultural initiative, describing it as the country’s first permanent, billion-hryvnia program supporting culture. The address was published on the president’s official website on Aug. 13, 2026.

Zelenskyy said 1,227 projects had reached the final stage after nearly 3,000 applications were reviewed. The finalists will present projects spanning cinema, music, theater and other forms of Ukrainian art during a series of pitch sessions.

According to the president, the initiative is intended to operate annually and expand through new categories, participants and implementation budgets. He said the program would support the creation of competitive Ukrainian content while strengthening the creative industries, cultural management, infrastructure and arts education.

Zelenskyy urged experts to assess projects not only on personal preferences but also on their potential appeal to Ukrainians and their ability to represent the country internationally. He said the program’s first results should be assessed through projects brought to life and their reception by Ukrainian audiences.