UKRAINE’S SOFT POWER: THROUGH MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS AND CULTURAL DIPLOMACY FORMATS AFTER 2022

Abstract

The purpose of this article. This study examines the principal forms of international presentation of Ukrainian culture since 2022, focusing on both traditional art projects, such as museum exhibitions, and innovative initiatives, including charity events and multimedia exhibitions. Research methods. An analytical review of sources (media publications, scholarly and expert materials), comparative analysis of museum case studies, and a descriptive approach to unconventional forms of cultural diplomacy. A cultural geopolitics framework is used to explore the intersections between art and politics. Results of the study. The study analyzes several notable museum cases, with particular attention to unconventional forms of cultural diplomacy, including the introduction of Ukrainian-language audio guides in leading international museums, the Out of Blackout project, a charity auction at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the multimedia exhibition War Diaries. The findings indicate that these initiatives not only strengthen Ukraine’s international image and enhance global audiences’ understanding of Ukrainian culture and art but also create new channels for cultural communication in the international sphere. Conclusions This study. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of supporting cultural diplomacy initiatives as a sustained component of state policy. The 2022–2025 experience demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating museum content into the global cultural context as a significant instrument of «soft power».