The second day of the intercultural forum “Cities of Reciprocity” in Lutsk: field visits and exchange of experience
On 13 September, during the celebration of Lutsk’s 940th anniversary, forum participants took part in a full programme combining cultural, civic, and intercultural events. Among the attendees were representatives of Ukrainian cities participating in the Council of Europe Intercultural Cities Programme: Pavlohrad, Vinnytsia, Sumy, and Melitopol, as well as partners from the city of Lublin, Poland.
The day began with the thematic tour “Intercultural Lutsk”, which included a visit to Oleksandr Dyshko’s exhibition “Strength in Time: Painting and Graphics”, offering participants an opportunity to explore the city’s historical and cultural heritage. Guests also visited key historical sites of Lutsk, reflecting its unique European historical legacy and rich multicultural diversity. The tour provided participants with a deeper understanding of the city’s heritage and its intercultural significance.
In the afternoon, participants took part in field visits to observe the work of integration centers for internally displaced persons, including the Korsaks' Museum of Contemporary Ukrainian Art, as well as local national-cultural community centers, notably the Jewish community of Lutsk. These visits served as an important platform for exchanging experiences and best practices in integration and social cohesion.
The day concluded with the intercultural festival “Palette of Cultures”. Presentation tents showcased the cultural heritage, national cuisine, exhibitions, and workshops of the Polish, Jewish, Czech, German, and Armenian communities. The festive concert by creative ensembles, held at the Lutsk Palace of Culture, demonstrated the richness of traditions and unity in diversity.
The second day of the forum confirmed that intercultural interaction and cultural exchange are essential components of modern community development, fostering unity, mutual understanding, and the formation of resilient societies.
The event was organized within the framework of the project “Cities of Reciprocity: Integration through Intercultural Dialogue”, implemented by the Department of Culture of Lutsk City Council in partnership with the cities of Lublin (Poland) and Pavlohrad (Ukraine), with the support of the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities (ICC) Programme and with funding from the Council of Europe.
*This publication was prepared with the financial support of the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the Council of Europe.
Department of Culture,
Department of International Cooperation and Project Activities