Ukraine: International Tensions. Kyiv. Kiev. Cultural Relations

Thirty years ago I visited Kyiv, Ukraine, at the invitation of the Rector of the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. I was given a warm, friendly welcome on a cold, snowy January day. I was there to negotiate the hosting and opening of a modest British cultural relations and English language teaching facility, which the Institute had requested.

The British Council started operations in Kyiv in 1992.

I have never liked the term 'soft power' but it is certainly preferable to 'hard power', to the international tensions created by unpredictable behaviour or aggressive use of the language of hard power. 

From Chatham House, February, 2021:

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/02/uks-culture-work-ukraine-post-brexit-blueprint

"Britain’s high-quality education, vibrant research institutions and diverse eco-system of culture are often cited as pillars of its ‘soft power’ appeal".

"The example of Ukraine demonstrates the UK’s soft power delivers. According to a survey conducted by IPSOS Mori in 2020, the UK government and its institutions rank first in terms of trust among young people in Ukraine. Among younger Ukrainians, 74 per cent say they believe the UK supports and encourages values important for the 21st century, such as environmental awareness, equality of rights, and world peace".

I was interested to read this FCDO blog posting from July 2019:

https://blogs.fcdo.gov.uk/judithgough/2019/07/20/british-council-impact-and-new-offices-in-ukraine/

Blackbird

A tame and friendly blackbird at our front door. 

We chatted for a while, until he lost interest.