“What do you know about Ukraine besides the war?” We were with First Lady Olena Zelenska at the opening of the Ukrainian Cultural Institute in Paris

“What do you know about Ukraine besides the war?” It is exactly 7 o’clock in the evening when Olena Zelenska arrives with her bodyguard at Gaîté Lyrique, the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. Wrapped in a black suit with a jacket and sitting on pumps, the first lady of Ukraine is determined. As his country prepares to face the winter of another war, he is in the French capital to open the Ukrainian Cultural Institute this Thursday, November 9. And in the process raise funds for his philanthropic foundation.

The elegance of her style stands out from the start. It stands out from her husband, Vladimir Zelensky, who swapped his suit and tie for khaki shirts, military pants and Rangers after Russia invaded his country in February 2022. , who says nothing about the spotlight blinding his face. At 19:10 they handed him a microphone. The request begins. “If we ask your compatriots the following question: What do you know about Ukraine besides the war and current events? In the literature, e.g. It may be difficult to answer. On the other hand, the Russian names would be easier to pronounce, but the sad irony is that most of the Russians mentioned are actually Ukrainians. As an example, he cites Anton Chekhov, “whose maternal grandmother was Ukrainian” or Nikola Gogol. The heads of the audience nod. Like Rima Abdul-Malak, Minister of Culture of France, or philanthropist Alexander Soros, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Open Society Foundations.

“It is sad that the world became interested in Ukrainian culture only after the Russian invasion. But the happy thing is what changes it,” cheers Olena Zelenska, pausing from time to time in her speech to allow an interpreter to translate it into French. The Ukrainian Institute, established in 2018 in Kyiv and now in Berlin and Paris, aims to strengthen the visibility and impact of Ukraine through its cultural scene (arts, science, education).

After finishing her speech, the first lady of Ukraine, always carefully escorted, moved to the “Grande salle” of the Gaîté Lyrique. He is expected to be present there at the concert of Jamala, the grand winner of Eurovision 2016. “My name is Jamala, Ukrainian, singer and composer, of Tatar origin. My children, my two little boys were forced to flee from their country,” the artist remembers between two songs. Through the eyes of the host of the evening, Arte journalist Elizabeth Quinn and guest of honor Olena Zelenska. Jamala ends with “Slava Oukraïni” (“Glory to Ukraine”). In order not to forget that a war is going on 2000 kilometers from Paris.