Ukrainian Week

Ukrainian Week in Germany – Kick-off at the Viadrina

The Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies’ Ukrainian Week will be launched on Monday 12 October at 1.00 pm at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder). In a variety of formats, distinguished guests will discuss Ukraine’s European future and reaffirm the importance of German-Ukrainian cooperation in teaching and research. At the same time, Viadrina will formally join the Global Coalition. Anyone interested is warmly invited to attend the opening.

Ukrainian Week in Germany will take place from 12 to 16 October 2026 at selected German universities and academic institutions; in addition to the opening ceremony at the European University Viadrina, universities in Tübingen, Regensburg and Munich, amongst others, are taking part. The event is organised by the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, the Ukrainian Institute and the Embassy of Ukraine in the Federal Republic of Germany. The aim of Ukrainian Week is to strengthen cooperation between German and Ukrainian universities, to further expand research on Ukraine at German higher education institutions, and to establish lasting links between the two countries in terms of teaching and research on Ukraine. A key element of this is the signing of cooperation agreements between German universities and the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies. The agreement covers, amongst other things, the expansion of course programmes on Ukrainian topics, academic exchange with Ukrainian universities, and joint programmes and projects.

Programme

Date of event: 12 October 2026

Venue: Logenhaus, Logenstraße 11, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)

Event language: English

 

Programme

13:00–13:45: Opening

1.45–2.00 pm: Presentation about the work of the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies with Dr Olha Oseredchuk

Musical performance

2.00–2.15 pm: Signing of Memorandum of Cooperation

2.15–3.00 pm: Exhibition opening ‘Crimea: Over a Decade Under the Russian Occupation’ on Crimea under Russian occupation

Coffee break

15.30–16.30: Poster sessions: Researchers from all Faculties of the European University Viadrina will present current projects within the framework of Ukrainian Studies at Viadrina.

4.30–5.30 pm: Round table discussion: “Security & Resilience for a European Future”

Coffee break

18:00–19:00: Keynote: ‘Freedom despite: why Ukraine matters for Europe’ with Prof. Dr Volodymyr Yermolenko

Reception

 

Registration

Speakers at the opening ceremony

Presentation: About the work of the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies

The Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies was launched in July 2024 by Olena Selenska, First Lady of Ukraine. The Coalition’s work is co-ordinated by the President of Ukraine’s Fund for Education, Science and Sport, the Ukrainian Institute, the Crimea Platform and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science. Since its foundation, the Coalition has already organised Ukrainian Weeks in Spain, France, Poland and the United Kingdom. To date, 93 international academic institutions have signed the Coalition’s cooperation agreement.

Featuring: Dr Olha Oseredchuk (Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies)

Event time: 13:45–14:00

Venue: Logenhaus, Logenstraße 11, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)

Event language: English

Olha Oseredchuk

Researchers present current projects in Ukrainian Studies at Viadrina

Round table discussion: ‘Security & Resilience for a European Future’

How can Europe strengthen its security in the face of growing geopolitical challenges while at the same time fostering social and political resilience? This question will be discussed by former Ukrainian Foreign Minister and current co-founder of the Centre for National Resilience and Development Pavlo Klimkin, physicist and Member of the German Bundestag Dr Andrea Lübcke, and Eastern European historians Prof. Dr Jan C. Behrends and Prof. Dr Olena Palko. The round table discussion will be moderated by social scientist and KIU Scientific Coordinator Dr Susann Worschech.

featuring: Pavlo Klimkin (former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and former Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany), Dr Andrea Lübcke (Member of the German Bundestag), Prof. Dr Jan C. Behrends (historian, European University Viadrina) and Prof. Dr Olena Palko (historian, University of Basel)

Moderator: Dr Susann Worschech, KIU Competence Network for Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies Frankfurt (Oder) - Berlin, European University Viadrina

Time: 16:30–17:30

Venue: Logenhaus, Logenstraße 11, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)

Event language: English

Dr Andrea Luebcke, Pavlo Klimkin, Prof. Dr Jan C. Behrends and Prof. Dr Olena Palko

Keynote speech: ‘Freedom despite: why Ukraine matters for Europe’

In his keynote speech ‘Freedom despite: why Ukraine matters for Europe’, the Ukrainian philosopher, journalist and writer Prof. Dr Volodymyr Yermolenko discusses the significance of Ukraine for freedom and the future of Europe. Yermolenko teaches at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, is President of PEN Ukraine and is one of the internationally recognised voices in the Ukrainian intellectual debate on Europe, democracy and social change.

Featuring: Prof. Dr Volodymyr Yermolenko (National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy)

Time: 6.00–7.00 pm

Venue: Logenhaus, Logenstraße 11, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)

Event language: English

Volodymyr Yermolenko

Viadrina Debate, Winter Term 2026/27

Visual Viadrina Debate, winter term 2026/27

Contact

Martina Klepek

Event management

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