Simonas Kairys at the EU Council of Ministers of Culture: “Spreading military propaganda is not freedom of the press”
Today the Minister of Culture Simonas Kairys participated in the EU Council of Ministers of Culture, which is taking place in Luxembourg.
Addressing the EU ministers of culture, Simonas Kairys briefly presented the most important aspects of Lithuania’s support to the Ukrainian refugees, emphasising the offered support to the artists and media and culture professionals: employment possibilities, the prepared scholarship package for Ukrainian artists as well as various created community spaces for Ukrainians: from the day camp for Ukrainian children at the Contemporary Art Centre to the co-working space for Ukrainian artists established by Kaunas 2022 at the Kaunas Central Post Office. The minister also highlighted that, in our country, many opportunities arise for Ukrainian refugees to visit museums, cultural centres, libraries and theatre shows free-of-charge or become actively involved in cultural action in other ways.
While speaking at the EU Council of Ministers of Culture, Kairys stressed that comprehensive support to Ukraine is the most important matter on the EU agenda today.
“We must fight more actively against the large stream of Russia’s military propaganda and disinformation. The EU must continue to defend the information space by blocking the Russian and Belarussian propaganda channels. We invite you to make decisions so that such TV channels would not be broadcast in our countries and by using the tools in our countries, including satellites. Spreading military propaganda is not freedom of the press”, the minister stated.
Simonas Kairys also urged the EU to increase the efforts in order to block Russia’s participation in international formats. “Russia is destroying Ukraine’s cultural heritage and cultural identity. This country must not organise and chair the 45th session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee”
Addressing his colleagues, the Minister of Culture urged them to unite in support of Ukraine’s European prospects: “With Ukraine, Europe’s long-term future will be better and safer. Lithuania strongly supports the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine”.
Last updated: 24-05-2022