15 July 2015 Culture

Relations Between Poland and Ukraine Were Discussed in Cambridge 

The International Conference on the future of Polish-Ukrainian relations as part of the Ukrainian Studies at the University of Cambridge founded with the FIRTASH Foundation financial support took place in the UK.
 
“The holding of this conference is a general idea of ​​Ukrainian Studies program, which is already 6 years old, and the Polish Studies Program, which was revived this year. The most topical issues related to Ukraine, Poland and Russia are now being discussed at the Department of Slavic Studies. Their culture and context. For the UK it is very promising to have that opportunity", said Dr.Rory Finnin, Head of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Cambridge.
 
During two days, nearly three dozen experts from around the world – scientists from England, Scotland, the USA, Poland and Ukraine – were discussing the future of Polish-Ukrainian relations holding a series of roundtables “Past as Prelude: Polish-Ukrainian Relations for the Twenty-First Century”.
 
The oldest British university witnessed the discussion about problems in the Polish-Ukrainian relations in the past, and development of cooperation between the two countries today. In addition, the participants of the conference discussed the issues to be addressed for countries to strengthen friendship, and how the shared history had been affecting the interaction of neighboring states.
 
“The organizers managed to gather really different and well-known intellectuals from Harvard University, Cambridge, from Ukraine and Poland. They gathered researchers of not only history, but also of contemporary relations between the two countries", said Lukasz Adamski, the expert of the Polish Institute of International Affairs.
 
Scientists discussed almost every aspect of Ukrainian-Polish relations – from the queues at customs and to the political outlook. They talked about refugees and about the terrible transport connection.
 
“During the last year and a half, we have been very much focused on relations with Russia, and of course relations with the West or Europe. And, actually, this conference is interesting in that we are discussing a specific person, a specific country, a specific political situation. Because Poland is our closest neighbor. It is a country that has been and continues to be an advocate of Ukraine in the European Union”, said Sergey Plokhiy, the professor of Ukrainian history at Harvard University (the USA).
 
The Forum has become possible thanks to the Ukrainian Studies Program, founded by the FIRTASH Foundation at the Department of Slavic Studies at the University of Cambridge. The objective of the Program is to popularize and promote comprehensive study of Ukraine in the UK and abroad by intercultural dialogue deepening and innovative approaches promotion in the study of the rich historical, linguistic and cultural heritage of Ukraine.
 
The Ukrainian Studies program attracts not only British students, but students from China, the USA and other countries. Students learn the Ukrainian language, literature, history and culture in one of the oldest universities in the world. And such conferences involve them in discussions about the Ukrainian modernity. A large number of events, conferences, exhibitions and lectures on the situation in Ukraine during the Maidan, after Maidan, and during the war were carried out as part of the Program.