In April, we launched a Future Horizons special series of meetings. These events explore Ukrainian identity as a source of our strength and resilience. In landmark historical locations across Kyiv, we are exploring with experts what identity means today – for business, culture, and society.
The companies within our association employ not just specialists, but people who uphold the values that help build a strong and competitive Ukraine. At Future Horizons, we will re-examine how business, culture, and history are connected and why this matters today, — noted Natalia Mykolska, Executive Director of Diia.City United.
On April 3rd, the first meeting of the Future Horizons 2025 series took place in the historic setting of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. It was dedicated to our history, culture, traditions – our identity.
Identity is not just a theoretical concept; it’s a personal choice for each of us,
Nataliya Kryvda, Doctor of Philosophy and Professor at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, started her lecture. Here are some key points from it:
National culture is the key to national security
The professor highlighted resolutions passed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in 2024–2025, which officially condemn Russia’s policy of falsifying history:
The Russian Federation systematically distorts history, engages in revisionism, and spreads false claims to misrepresent historical documents, Nataliya quoted from the resolution.
They are practicing on us, — the professor asserted. — Russia’s attempts to distort, revise, and twist Ukraine’s history undermine the collective memory and identity of Europe as a whole.
According to the speaker, these international documents are important tools for protecting cultural memory globally. She also stressed the need to counter such attempts through education and promoting the true history of Ukraine.
War of Meanings
Ukrainian and international journalists often use the term “information war”, which the professor disagrees with:
Can you tell me what was in the news yesterday? What about the day before? Information comes and goes, — the speaker pointed out. — But if I say ‘Crucified boy in underpants’? Everyone immediately understands. You don’t need to recall what it’s about. Therefore, this is a war of meanings, a war for the right to define things, to give things names/
The professor urged attendees to resist the enemy’s tactics and build security based on meaning, not just information, for themselves – through education and promotion of Ukraine’s true history:
Talk about this with your colleagues. Talk about it with your children. Speak up. Because these are the building blocks of our resilience. I believe this is very important.
Models of Identity: The Ukrainian Path
Referencing British sociologist Anthony Smith, the professor presented two models of identity:
- Ethnic (non-Western, “through blood”) – based on shared history, traditions, religion, and culture.
- Civic/Value-based (Western, “through choice”) – allows individuals to consciously join a community by accepting its values.
According to the lecturer, Ukrainian national identity is forming at the intersection of these two models:
Current thinking suggests the most effective approach is shaping Ukrainian national identity by combining both methods. Being rooted is crucial for us. For too long, our ethnic Ukrainian culture faced humiliation and bans. At the same time, shared values are vital for us as a community.
She added that Ukraine is building a state based not on ancestry, but on the practice of shared values, which connects us to the global community.
Strategies for Shaping National Identity
Drawing on the work of identity expert Montserrat Guibernau, the speaker outlined five key strategies for shaping national identity:
- Forming a unified image of the nation.
- Introducing new symbols and rituals.
- Implementing clear civic policies — rights and responsibilities.
- Creating shared concepts of “us” and “them.”
- Developing a national education system.
We lack a document providing a methodology, tools, or framework for cultural objectives, whether for schools or universities. We need to work on this. You need to discuss this – at work, at home, in your neighbourhood, in your business, with the people you work with.
About Values
The speaker mentioned the six core values of the European Union – dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, human rights, and the rule of law – highlighting their similarity to what Ukrainians hold dear.
The professor emphasized the importance of putting values into practice daily and encouraged the audience to consider how they embody each core value within their companies:
What does equality mean for your business? What about dignity? It covers everything: from fair pay to insurance and clean restrooms. Freedom – what are the boundaries of responsibility for your project manager, your product manager? How do you handle this? These might seem like philosophical concepts, but they shape our real lives.
Concluding her lecture, Nataliya Kryvda stressed the importance of actively engaging with cultural memory:
We must work with cultural memory, enriching ourselves with knowledge and interpreting it correctly. We cannot allow revisionism; we cannot let them rewrite our history. We must uncover the real meaning. We recognize our pride and connect with it emotionally, sharing it with our children. We are constructing our identity, — stated Dr. Nataliya Kryvda.
Historical Continuity as the Foundation of Ukrainian Identity
Nataliya Kryvda’s lecture also framed Ukrainian history as a continuous tradition stretching back to Kyivan Rus’. She emphasized that Ukrainian leaders have always seen themselves as heirs to this ancient tradition:
None of the Hetmans spoke of creating a new independent Ukrainian state. They spoke of restoring it. There wasn’t a political nation of Ukraine in the modern sense, but there was a continuity of traditions.
The lecture was followed by a brief tour of two ancient churches within the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra complex.
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The first Future Horizons meeting served as a powerful catalyst for reflecting on the complex issues of Ukrainian identity. We also received a list of recommended reading materials from Natalia Kryvda for deeper study of the topic.
We invite you to join us at future Future Horizons events, where we will continue to discover new facets of our culture, history and values together in iconic places in Kyiv.
Stay tuned for our announcements!
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