Cultural Diplomacy and New Opportunities for Cooperation: Meeting with the Estonian Ambassador to Ukraine

CULTURAL DIPLOMACY AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR COOPERATION: THE ASSOCIATION’S COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR MEETS ESTONIA’S NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE
On 21 August 2026, Inna Hordiienko, Communications Director of the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia, met in Kyiv with Tiina Intelmann, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia to Ukraine.

During the meeting, Inna Hordiienko presented the work of the Association, which has united Ukrainian organisations in Estonia for more than 25 years, contributed to the preservation of Ukrainian culture and identity, and developed ties between Ukraine and Estonia.

Particular attention was given to cultural and media initiatives, including those launched following the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These include “Vyshyvanka Unites,” Estonia’s largest festival of Ukrainian and Estonian culture, Radio Druzi, the first Ukrainian-language radio station in Estonia, and the Ukrainian Film Club in Estonia.

The discussion also covered the Estonian Film Days in Ukraine, which were held for the first time in September 2025 as part of the Ukrainian Film Club’s activities. The event took place at the Zhovten Cinema in Kyiv with the support of the Embassy of Estonia in Ukraine. Ukrainian audiences were presented with five Estonian films from different periods, screened with Ukrainian subtitles. The project attracted significant public interest and became another important step in developing cultural dialogue between the two countries.

The participants also discussed possible areas for further cooperation between the Association and the Embassy of Estonia in Ukraine. Tiina Intelmann highlighted the importance of cultural initiatives that help Ukrainians and Estonians learn more about one another and strengthen ties between the two nations. The Ambassador emphasised that culture and support for relevant initiatives remain among her priorities.

Inna Hordiienko proposed continuing the Estonian Film Days in Ukraine and developing them into an annual cultural project. Such an initiative would provide Ukrainian audiences with regular opportunities to discover Estonian cinema and, through it, gain a deeper understanding of Estonia’s history, culture and society. Holding the Estonian Film Days annually would also create new opportunities for cooperation between filmmakers and cultural institutions in Ukraine and Estonia.

At the end of the meeting, Inna Hordiienko presented Tiina Intelmann with a traditional Ukrainian gerdan featuring the Tryzub. The gift symbolises Ukraine’s cultural heritage and the friendship between our nations.

We hope that this meeting will lead to new joint initiatives and contribute to the further strengthening of cultural ties between Ukraine and Estonia.

We sincerely thank the Ambassador for the meeting, her openness to dialogue and her willingness to support the development of Ukrainian-Estonian cultural cooperation.