The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, held a meeting with the First Lady of Türkiye, Emine Erdoğan, during her official visit to Türkiye. The discussion focused on cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries, particularly the prospects for establishing new academic programs in Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar studies at Turkish universities.
Olena Zelenska expressed hope that Türkiye would introduce more programs dedicated to the study of Ukrainian history, culture, and language. Currently, the only Ukrainian Studies Department operates at Istanbul University, but Ukraine is interested in expanding this initiative. A key aspect of this partnership should also be the integration of Crimean Tatar studies, as Crimea is an inseparable part of Ukrainian history.
As part of her visit, Olena Zelenska toured Türkiye’s National Presidential Library, one of the largest libraries in the world, which has welcomed over 7 million visitors in five years. She highlighted that among the 2.5 million books housed in the library, there are also publications by Ukrainian authors, which are featured on the Ukrainian bookshelf.
“Today, together with Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, the First Lady of Türkiye, I am pleased to bring and place fresh editions from Ukraine on the shelf. They will be read by Ukrainians in Türkiye or those who wish to learn more about Ukraine from primary sources. For example, by students of Ukrainian studies, whose numbers, I am sure, will soon grow in this country. This is precisely why we launched the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies last year, bringing together those who pursue Ukrainian studies in different countries,” said Olena Zelenska.
As of today, more than 220 Ukrainian bookshelves have been placed in 55 countries worldwide. This initiative helps to spread knowledge about Ukraine through its history, culture, and literature, shaping global perceptions of its current challenges and aspirations.
First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, presented Türkiye’s National Presidential Library with the catalog LOMYKAMIN. Women’s Resistance in Crimea—a printed version of the exhibition initiated by the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to mark the 10th anniversary of resistance to occupation. The project was curated by Tetyana Filevska, Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute. The publication highlights the diverse experiences of women in resisting the occupation, artistic activism, and the ongoing struggle in Crimea despite repression.
The expansion of Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar studies worldwide is one of the key priorities of the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies, launched last year. The Coalition unites initiatives and academic programs across the globe, promoting the development of Ukrainian studies and the integration of Crimean Tatar studies to ensure an accurate and professional exploration of Ukraine’s history and culture. A crucial goal of this initiative is also the decolonization and decentralization of Eastern European and Slavic studies, which have previously focused predominantly on Russia.
The Coalition was established with the support of First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and is being implemented through the joint efforts of the Fund of the President of Ukraine for the support of Education, Science, and Sports, the Ukrainian Institute, the Mission/Office of the Crimea Platform, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
The visit of Ukraine’s First Lady to Türkiye once again underscored the strategic importance of Ukrainian-Turkish partnership, particularly in the fields of education, culture, and humanitarian cooperation.