Kharkiv 2026

KHARKIV SHOULD BE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE IN 2026

In the ninth month of the war, Russian imperialism is bringing more and more suffering to the Ukrainians. The free democracies of the world keep supporting Ukraine. Yet, the feeling of unity shows signs of fatigue. For most of the Europeans solidarity nonetheless goes beyond compassion with the victims of the invasion and believe that the Ukrainians are fighting not only for their homeland: they are defending our freedom from oppressive autocracies.   

Next to military and other material help, and beyond sanctions against the aggressor, there is a need for kinds of support that best express Ukraine’s belonging to Europe. Cultural cooperation eminently serves this purpose, and the European Commission has accordingly devised a funding project supporting Ukrainian culture and the refugees of the war. Its impact, however, barely extends outside the cultural sector.

The title of European Capital of Culture (ECOC in short) is a brand of great reputation, one of the strongest in the remit of the European Union. Granting it to a Ukrainian city would be a powerful token of camaraderie with the community of Europeans.

True, Ukraine was encouraged to start preparations to the next opening: to compete with several other candidate countries for the ECOC in 2030.

The long-term schedule of the ECOCs offers, however, a closer opening in 2026, in the middle of a three-year gap without a third country on top of the two designated cities (Trenčín and Oulu):

Ukraine deserves to fill that position.

For this, the relevant piece of legislation (Decision No 445/2014/EU) needs to be amended. This would be an insignificant move compared to the brave act when the European Union overwrote its own rules by granting candidate status to Ukraine.  

Among the goals of the European Capitals of Culture urban regeneration has lately received special emphasis, both in physical and spiritual sense. Regardless of when the war comes to an end, Ukrainian cities will be in great need for both. The physical regeneration of the ECOC would surely fit into the massive post-war international reconstruction funds in prospect. Besides, addressing the trauma of the war would certainly be a main axis of the programme.

Why Kharkiv? To most Ukrainians this is an obvious choice.

Kharkiv, the second largest city in the country, and until recently predominantly Russian speaking, is a stronghold of the arts, education, and scholarship in Ukraine. It was the national capital until 1934 and is the undisputed spiritual centre of the Ukraine east of the river Dnipro. Russian aggression turned it into a fortress city which, despite winning the Battle of Kharkiv in the spring, is being shelled until today.

Most ECOCs absorb large funds from the budgets of the city and the country, set up a sizable apparatus, compose a vast programme, erect lasting edifices, and dedicate several years to the preparation. None of this should be the goal in this case. Receptive to the international assistance that is likely to flood to the organisers, the main feature of this ECOC should, however, be the joy and optimism, for the manifestation of which the citizens of the re-born Kharkiv can find a variety of artistic and other means.

Kharkiv should be European Capital of Culture in 2026. Such a decision requires complex political and administrative coordination and negotiation. It is illusory to claim for it overnight. But Ukrainians are keen on reassuring signals now. That could be met if the Commission promised to consider the prospect of inviting Kharkiv to submit a proposal for the ECOC title in 2026.

Possible itinerary

1                    The European Commission airs the openness to grant the title of European Capital of Culture to Kharkiv in 2026.

2                    An Amendment to Decision No 445/2014/EU is prepared by early 2023.

3                    Upon this, an invitation is sent to the Ukrainian government and the city of Kharkiv to prepare and submit a proposal by mid-2023.

4                    Its evaluation, adjustment and improvement are completed by the end of 2023.

5                    With public, private, and civilian assistance, and support from across Europe, the year is prepared during 2024-2025.

6                    Kharkiv is European Capital of Culture in 2026.