Ukrainian Cultural Front: The “Cancel Culture” Discourse

Abstract

The essence of the phenomenon of “cancel culture” and the reasons for its relevance in contemporary cultural discourse have been uncovered. Its impact on the protection and preservation of national identity, politics, and intercultural relations has been characterized, and the potential risks of its spread have been considered. The practice of “cancel culture” elicits ambivalent attitudes – it is seen as an opportunity to draw attention to unfair actions, discrimination, and to encourage the protection of democratic values and human rights. However, “cancel culture” also acquires a negative interpretation as posing a potential threat to freedom of speech and constructive criticism. Achieving open dialogue and free expression of different opinions is crucial here. Discussions on “cancel culture” during the war reflect tendencies towards resistance and the protection of national self-identification. It’s not just about internal processes of combating Russia’s cultural expansion but also about efforts to represent Ukraine on the international stage. Sometimes, proponents of Russian culture try to dissociate it from imperial ambitions and contemporary war crimes. However, certain European countries are gradually beginning to reassess their stance on these issues, showing increasing solidarity with Ukraine by boycotting Russian cultural events and critically assessing its real impact in the contemporary world. Ukrainian cultural and art institutions, amidst the war, have lost a significant amount of talented youth who left Ukraine, but they adapt their current capabilities to conduct various events to psychologically support Ukrainians. Cultural initiatives allow promoting Ukrainian culture globally and reflecting the true realities of the war. Cultural exchanges during festivals, exhibitions, biennales, musical and theatrical tours play a significant role, aiming to promote Ukrainian culture in the world: Ukrainian artists are participants in the Frankfurt Book Fair, as well as the Maltese Biennale, where the Ukrainian pavilion was opened for the project “From South to North” by artist A. Kakhidze. Such events create a platform for discussing issues of memory, history, and cultural connections at the international level.

Keywords

• cancel culture
• ukrainian cultural front
• information war
• cultural dialogue
• freedom of speech