{
  "id": 10181660,
  "title": "Andriy Rizol on How Cultural Diplomacy Advances Ukraine’s Interests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/andriy-rizol-on-how-cultural-diplomacy-advances-ukraines-interests",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T09:08:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Post",
    "slug": "kyiv-post",
    "url": "https://www.kyivpost.com/interviews/85472"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in March 2022, Andriy Rizol, the chairman of Watch Ukrainian Association, has been at the forefront of Ukraine's cultural diplomacy efforts. The association has organized over 800 cultural events in 268 cities across 55 countries, raising nearly Hr. 16 million for Ukraine's armed forces, military intelligence and the rehabilitation of service members.\n\nRizol, also CEO of Babylon and an honorary ambassador for cultural diplomacy, explained that culture can communicate Ukraine's experience of war and build support abroad. He added that the association's projects, organized with partners and without state funding, have raised about Hr. 16 million for Ukraine's armed forces, military intelligence and the rehabilitation of service members.\n\nThe main message Andriy Rizol wants international audiences to take away from these initiatives is the slogan \"Be Free to Create.\" He stressed that Ukrainians are fighting to preserve their freedom to create and shape their own future. The stories of the association's protagonists, such as band members, medical unit service members, and artists volunteering to defend Ukraine, demonstrate this message in different ways.\n\nThe Watch Ukrainian Association has built a strong network of international coordinators through events like the CinemAid Film Marathon and Culture vs War multimedia project. The association cooperates closely with Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sharing equal partnership and even assisting in some cases. They have also launched the School of Cultural Diplomacy, aiming to strengthen joint efforts among young diplomats, government, business, and independent cultural institutions.\n\nRizol emphasized that cultural diplomacy is an effective tool for advancing Ukraine's national interests and strengthening Ukraine's ability to act internationally. He sees it as an effective weapon, particularly when it's hard to communicate the reality of the war due to war fatigue. The Veterans' Theater project, in particular, resonated strongly as it combined a stage production with therapy, providing a unique way to communicate the war reality to international audiences.",
  "summary": "Watch Ukrainian has organized more than 800 cultural events in 55 countries since March 2022, according to the association. Its chairman, Andriy Rizol, explains how its projects share Ukrainians’ experiences of war and build international partnerships.",
  "key_points": [
    "Andriy Rizol leads Watch Ukrainian Association in cultural diplomacy.",
    "Association organized 800+ events in 55 countries, raising Hr. 16M.",
    "Rizol emphasizes \"Be Free to Create\" to convey Ukraine's fight for freedom."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}