This Ukrainian-language episode focuses on how art and culture can help preserve memory, humanity, and solidarity in times of war. Since 2021, the European Union’s Concept on Cultural Heritage in Conflicts and Crises has recognised cultural heritage as a key driver of peace, democracy, and sustainable development. In Ukraine, this principle takes on a concrete meaning every day, as cultural workers, artists, and communities face the ongoing consequences of Russia’s invasion. In this episode, Daryna Zhyvohliadova, a collaborator with culture Solutions and coordinator of the Heritage Ukraine project at KU Leuven, speaks with Cuba and Alaska, two Ukrainian frontline combat medics whose extraordinary courage and friendship have made them emblematic figures of resilience. Both women have served on the front line since the early stages of the war, risking their lives daily to evacuate and treat the wounded under fire. Their story, defined by sacrifice, solidarity, and a disarming sense of humour, inspired the creation of the documentary Cuba and Alaska. Also featured in the episode are Yegor Troyanovsky, the film’s director, and Olha Bregman, its producer. The discussion offers a look at life on the front line, where courage, exhaustion, and dark humour coexist, and explores how documentary film can help preserve truth and collective memory in the face of destruction. It also highlights the role of cultural cooperation, as the film was co-produced by 2Brave Productions (Ukraine), Clin d’Oeil Films (Belgium), and Tag Film (France), and presented at Sheffield DocFest and BRIFF.
This English-language episode focuses on how art and culture can help preserve memory, humanity, and solidarity in times of war. Since 2021, the European Union’s Concept on Cultural Heritage in Conflicts and Crises has recognised cultural heritage as a key driver of peace, democracy, and sustainable development. In Ukraine, this principle takes on a concrete meaning every day, as cultural workers, artists, and communities face the ongoing consequences of Russia’s invasion. In this episode, Daryna Zhyvohliadova, a collaborator with culture Solutions and coordinator of the Heritage Ukraine project at KU Leuven, speaks with Cuba and Alaska, two Ukrainian frontline combat medics whose extraordinary courage and friendship have made them emblematic figures of resilience. Both women have served on the front line since the early stages of the war, risking their lives daily to evacuate and treat the wounded under fire. Their story, defined by sacrifice, solidarity, and a disarming sense of humour, inspired the creation of the documentary Cuba and Alaska. Also featured in the episode are Yegor Troyanovsky, the film’s director, and Olha Bregman, its producer. The discussion offers a look at life on the front line, where courage, exhaustion, and dark humour coexist, and explores how documentary film can help preserve truth and collective memory in the face of destruction. It also highlights the role of cultural cooperation, as the film was co-produced by 2Brave Productions (Ukraine), Clin d’Oeil Films (Belgium), and Tag Film (France), and presented at Sheffield DocFest and BRIFF.
On the 22nd of September, culture Solutions hosted the webinar EU’s International Cultural Relations: Reality Check, welcoming Mafalda Dâmaso, coordinator of the recently published and important handbook The EU as a Global Cultural Power, along with four contributors: Avril Joffe, Matina Magkou, Alessandro Lamonica, and Andrew Murray.
The webinar offered a timely opportunity to assess where the EU currently stands in international cultural relations (ICR), the gaps that persist between ambition and implementation, and how culture can act as a strategic tool in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape. It also provided a necessary reflection on the nine years since the 2016 Joint Communication towards an EU ICR.
The handbook discussed during the event is a must-read for anyone curious about, committed to, or passionate about international cultural relations. Its foreword provides a valuable historical context for European cultural policy — shaped by the rise of global cultural exchanges. It also highlights the EU’s internal and external ambivalences in its cultural approach — shifting from a focus on promoting cultural values to seeking economic justification, from soft power to what some now call “enabling power,” and dealing with the challenge of making its own cultural sector more competitive.
In this podcast, we selected key moments from the webinar where panellists and the audience explored several critical themes:
EU–Africa cultural relations
Cultural relations in the Mediterranean region
The absence of theory in international cultural relations
The rise of digital cultural movements
The call for a strong community of practice
Enjoy the podcast — and we’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Let’s continue to engage and grow this community of practice together.
This French-language episode is part of a series dedicated to the role of art and culture in the face of crises and conflict: their capacity to support communities, foster dialogue, contribute to conflict resolution, and assist in both material and psychological reconstruction.
In 2021, the European Union adopted a concept on the protection of cultural heritage in times of conflict and crisis, recognising cultural heritage as an important driver of peace, democracy, and sustainable development. What can artists and cultural actors do to rekindle dialogue, preserve memory, and build peace? What role can the European Union, as an international player, take in defending endangered cultural heritage? What concrete initiatives have already been implemented, with what outcomes, and in collaboration with which partners?
In this episode, Lilian Richieri Hanania, a collaborator with culture Solutions, speaks with Fady Jeanbart, a Lebanese opera singer who has conducted significant archival work related to Lebanon’s cultural memory. This interview was conducted during the period of Israeli airstrikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon, followed by incursions by the Israeli army into Lebanese territory, between September and October 2024. These attacks, occurring in the context of the conflict between Israel, Gaza, Hamas, and Hezbollah, caused serious damage to Lebanon’s cultural heritage.Speaker bio, references and transcript: https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/building-lebanese-cultural-memory/
In this third episode of the (Re)generating trust podcast series on the links between youth and culture, Elise Cuny exchanged with four artists from Kenya, Somalia and Italy, who took part in the ArtXChange project, a result of the AU-EU youth cooperation hub.
We explore how they experienced co-creation, how creative directors supported them in residencies and exhibitions, and what they learned from international cultural relations. “This is what it feels like to be alive. I didn’t know, but now I know”, shared a participant, pointing to the life experiences behind strategies.
More about the artists, sources of inspiration, and transcript on our website: https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/au-eu-youth-cooperation-breaks-barriers-through-art/
Musical creation credits: Stéphane Lam Songs: Mana y’i Rwanda, by Kaya Byinshii, and Freedom, by Liboi
After exploring the various understandings of the concept of international cultural relations in different geographical contexts, we now look at the relationship between diverse world regions and the dynamics that have emerged in recent years between and within the North and the South, the East and the West.
We round up with a series of recommendations based on contributors' professional practices, linked to cherishing and preserving local cultural expressions, promoting intercultural exchanges and mainstreaming cultural policies.
Speakers' bios, quotes and transcript: https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/cultural-relations-a-fairer-way-to-engage-between-continents/
Musical creation credits: Introduction and closing by Stéphane Lam; Nature by MaxKoMusic; Borrow the Happiness by Kabbalistic Village
The second episode of the Regenerating trust podcast mini-series, focusing on youth and culture, features Nicky Alonga, a trailblazer in the fields of art and education in Rwanda. Nicky is a visionary entrepreneur in the creative sector who established a publishing house in Rwanda - Imagine We Rwanda - specialising in children's books with narratives from Rwanda and Africa.
In her interview with our research collaborator Elise Cuny, Nicky shares her insights from participating in the Global Cultural Relations Programme (GCRP), a two-week training funded by the EU and organised by the Cultural Relations Platform. She participated in the programme's second edition held in Istanbul. The programme brought together youth from around the world to brainstorm on the future of the cultural sector, considering both local perspectives and global challenges such as equity in international cultural relations.
Tune in to the episode to learn more about Nicky's experience and the reflections arising from this international programme.
Bio, sources of inspiration, and transcript on our website: https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/youth-mobility-to-end-racism/
Musical creation credits: Stéphane Lam
International Cultural Relations (ICR) theory and practices are usually framed from a Western perspective that conditiones their design and interpretation. There is a need for a more inclusive ICR framework, founded on open dialogue and attentive listening, embracing diversity of voices and perspectives, and engaging with a variety of stakeholders.
It is time to ask ourselves: is ICR a purely Western concept? Does it have the same meaning in non-Western European contexts? This podcast episode gives voice to experts in various geographical settings with a view to contributing to the recognition of the myriad of understandings, reasonings, and realities that coexist within the realm of International Cultural Relations.
Speakers' bios, references and transcript on our website > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/cultural-relations-perspectives-beyond-the-european-union/
Musical creation credits: Introduction and closing by Stéphane Lam; Nature by MaxKoMusic; Borrow the Happiness by Kabbalistic Village
This first episode of the miniseries entitled Composing green presents agroforestry as part and parcel of cultural action and EU international cultural relations. Agroforestry is a set of cultural traditions, practices and know-how that mix trees and agriculture. It has been practiced for thousands of years but has been almost forgotten by industrialised societies. Yet, agroforestry has a very significant role to play in climate action, Green Deal-related objectives, biodiversity loss, etc.
The miniseries sheds light on the various facets of the climate-culture nexus. Listening to people from diverse fields that all work on cultural solutions to make behavioural change happen, the podcast contributes to awareness raising about climate action and best practice.
Methodology, references and transcript on our website > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/agroforestry-and-worldviews/
Musical creation credits: Stéphane Lam
We take a look forward, pondering on good practices, existing needs and visions for the future. A future where Artificial Intelligence is part and parcel of society and international cultural relations. The speakers share their sincere hopes but also major fears, and offer a series of questions that we must answer as a global community in order to build together the AI-enabled interconnected, diverse and fair tomorrow.
The miniseries Composing trustworthiness explore the impact that Artificial Intelligence has on art, language, and culture more broadly, as well as on international relations. We examine the EU's aspiration for trust and excellence in AI, in light of new developments and growing debates around diversity, fairness, values and risks.
Methodology, references and transcript on our website > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/artificial-intelligence-for-the-future-of-society/
Musical creation credits: Stéphane Lam
Turkey has had the status of candidate to the EU for several decades – this has allowed bilateral relations to develop, including in the cultural field.
Although in the last twenty years relations have become more tense and complicated (e.g. management of migration flows, political dialogue on Human Rights), this has not prevented cultural professionals from continuing their cooperation work. The episode provides a rich set of lessons learnt and good practice in cultural projects management for all those interested in Turkey, the EU and international cultural relations.
The podcast is recorded in the context of Recep Tayip Erdogan’s victory at the last elections in May 2023, which has fanned fears that anti-Western and anti-European rhetorics will flourish and that actions will be taken against pro-Western movements and minority groups in Turkey, in particular the LGBTIQ+ community. The speakers reflect on the potential of EU-Turkey cultural relations and the main parameters to strengthen them in the future. Find speakers' bios, sources of inspiration and references, and a transcript of the episode on our website > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/eu-turkey-cultural-relations-what-next
Musical creation credits: Stéphane Lam
Dive deep into our core topic: the impact of Artificial Intelligence on International Cultural Relations, and the way this disruptive technology drives or impedes relations with partners around the globe.
The miniseries Composing trustworthiness explore the impact that Artificial Intelligence has on art, language, and culture more broadly, as well as on international relations. We examine the EU's aspiration for trust and excellence in AI, in light of new developments and growing debates around diversity, fairness, values and risks.
Methodology, references and transcript on our website > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/artificial-intelligence-in-international-cultural-relationsMusical creation credits: Stéphane Lam
In our miniseries (Re)generating trust, we tackle the not-so-obvious link between youth and culture. Why is it important to give youth a space in the cultural sector? How can the EU institutions and member states do it?
Youth is presented in these episodes as advocate for culture and creative skills, able to regenerate societies and trust in institutions. This series is a platform for young professionals from the cultural sector and European initiatives who support them to expose their work and express their recommendations.
In this first episode, we hear inspirational examples of artistic and cultural collaboration between Europe and Rwanda and learn how European cultural centres can act as bridges.
Speakers' bios, sources of inspiration, and transcript on our website > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/creating-bridges-for-youth-in-culture/
Musical creation credits: Introduction and closing by Stéphane Lam; Mana y’i Rwanda (Intro) by Kaya Byinshii – Ukwiyuburura (2022)
We ask our experts from different cultural and diplomatic fields: How are European values reflected in the regulatory approach towards AI? Is this approach to AI compatible with other cultures and does it sufficiently consider the cultural and creative sector?
The miniseries Composing trustworthiness explore the impact that Artificial Intelligence has on art, language, and culture more broadly, as well as on international relations. We examine the EU’s aspiration for trust and excellence in AI, in light of new developments and growing debates around diversity, fairness, values and risks.
Methodology, references and transcript on our website > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/artificial-intelligence-and-european-values/
Musical creation credits: Stéphane Lam
Zoom into the importance of culture for AI development, and vice versa the influence of AI on culture.
Throughout the miniseries entitled Composing trustworthiness, we explore the impact that Artificial Intelligence, in short AI, has on art, language, and culture more broadly, as well as on international relations. We examine the EU's aspiration for trust and excellence in AI, in light of popular excitement surrounding the launch of new tools, but also growing debates around diversity, fairness, values and risks.
Methodology, references and transcript on our website > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/artificial-intelligence-vs-culture/
Musical creation credits: Stéphane Lam
This podcast addresses the European Union’s role and actions in cultural heritage protection in times of crises, with our guests Aparna Tandon, Giovanni Fontana Antonelli, Johanna Leissner, and Giovanni De Siervo.
The aim of the episode is, on the one hand, to highlight the importance of cultural heritage protection (and prevention) and discuss this issue from multiple perspectives, such as climate change, questions of decolonisation, the role of civil society and grassroot initiatives, among others.
On the other hand, this episode provides an anchor and access to the topic to a wider audience. Participants’ expertise and devotedness offers you an insight to the most crucial aspects of cultural heritage protection.
Find speakers' bios, sources of inspiration and references, and a transcript of the episode on our website > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/cultural-heritage-protection-in-crisis/
Musical creation credits: Stéphane Lam
This introductory episode presents culture Solutions’ new podcast programme entitled Composing trust, framing the discussions of the podcast programme and presenting cS objectives.
In this first episode, culture Solutions co-founders Felipe Basabe and Damien Helly introduce us to the organisation and its objectives. They share with us their sources of inspiration and their motivation. They debate the international responsibility of Europeans in building trust between societies, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.
Find speakers' bios, sources of inspiration and references, and a transcript of the episode on our website > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/a-new-podcast-series-on-eu-international-cultural-relations/
Musical creation credits: Stéphane Lam
Ce podcast pilote présente principalement culture Solutions ainsi que le programme de sa série de podcast “culture Solutions : construire la confiance”.
Dans ce premier épisode, les co-fondateurs de culture Solutions Felipe Basabe Llorens et Damien Helly nous présentent l’organisme, ses objectifs. Ils partagent avec nous leurs sources d’inspiration et leur motivation. Ils débattent sur la responsabilité internationale des Européens dans la construction de confiance entre les sociétés, sur fond de guerre en Ukraine.
Vous trouvez les Bios des intervenants, leurs sources d'inspiration et leurs références ainsi que la transcription de l'épisode sur notre site web > https://www.culturesolutions.eu/podcast/une-nouvelle-serie-de-podcast-sur-les-relations-culturelles-internationales-de-lue/
Musical creation credits: Stéphane Lam