On 22 May, Deputy Permanent Representative Denys Chystikov took part in the panel discussion “Cultural Heritage and Identity: Advocating for the Preservation of Traditions by Youth of National Communities. The State as a Guarantor of Cultural Diversity,” held as part of the Forum of Youth of National Communities: Challenges of Today. The event was organized by the NGO Youth of the Council of National Communities of Ukraine in cooperation with the Kyiv City Youth Council. It brought together young people from various regions, civil society organizations, leaders of self-governance initiatives, and representatives of state authorities.

The discussion also featured contributions from Nika Saravas, Deputy Head for Education at the NGO Federation of Greek Societies of Ukraine; Ilias Sheikhisliamov, member of the NGO Crimean Tatars of Odesa Region and the NGO Youth of the Council of National Communities; Nikita Kravchuk, co-founder of the NGO Ranganatha and member of the Youth of the Council of National Communities; and Khalil Dervishev, co-founder of the NGO Q-hub.

In his address, Denys Chystikov emphasized that youth are the driving force behind the preservation and development of cultural heritage. He underscored the importance of young people actively participating in shaping cultural policy and advocating for the traditions, language, and rituals of their communities.

“When we defend a song, a language, or a family ritual, we are defending Ukraine itself. And if Russia fears our culture, it means that culture holds great power, ” said Denys Chystikov.

The Deputy Permanent Representative reminded the audience that the Russian Federation is waging war not only against Ukraine’s territory but also against its culture, emphasizing that in Crimea, cultural figures are persecuted, traditional rituals are banned, and languages are being pushed out. At the same time, he noted that even under such conditions, young people continue to preserve their identity. 

In conclusion, Denys Chystikov also highlighted the role of the state as a guarantor of cultural diversity, recalling that Ukraine has enshrined this at the legislative level, particularly through the Laws of Ukraine “On the Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine” and “On National Minorities in Ukraine.” He emphasized that supporting the linguistic and cultural identity of national communities, especially during wartime, is a principled stance of the Ukrainian state, and he acknowledged the contribution of the Mission in this regard.

The forum served as a platform for strengthening solidarity among youth representatives from various communities, shaping a common stance on cultural policy issues, and resisting the aggressor’s assimilation practices.