Subcultures, Diversity, Memorialization, and the People Who Make the State Function Among Recommended Topics for 'Thousand Spring'

In early April, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine initiated the submission of applications for the 'Thousand Spring' program, which aims to support Ukrainian cultural products. Among the recommended themes for creating cultural content are issues related to the people who enable the state to function, as well as topics concerning blackouts, youth subcultures, diversity, and memorialization, as noted on the official website of the initiative.

According to the program's conditions, support will be provided for projects in seven different directions, including feature films and series, non-fiction (documentary) films and series, animated films and series, films and series for children's audiences, contemporary music, performative arts, visual arts, as well as audiovisual shows and videos for social media.

Among the recommended themes for creating cultural products, it is important to highlight Ukrainian history, security and defense forces of Ukraine, life during wartime, universal human values, preservation and development of the Ukrainian language, prominent figures, folklore heritage, looted art, socially significant professions, conscious citizens, the future of Ukraine, accessibility, mental health, and natural heritage.

In the context of Ukrainian history, it is recommended to address themes such as Kyivan Rus, ancient connections of Ukraine with Europe, the Zaporizhian Sich as a unique democratic phenomenon, Hetmans and their state-building projects, the Cyril and Methodius Brotherhood, cultural revival, the Holodomor as genocide against the Ukrainian people, the executed renaissance and destruction of the Ukrainian intelligentsia, the Chernobyl disaster, the history of gaining independence, as well as significant dates, national holidays, and memorial days.

The theme of life during wartime is also of great importance, and it is recommended to highlight witnesses of World War II and the current war, experiences of occupation, evacuation from combat zones and frontline territories, forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, loss of homes, integration of internally displaced persons (IDPs), forced migration, the topic of children of war, loss of loved ones, blackouts, small joys during a great war, return to liberated cities, as well as volunteering, charity, and mutual aid.

In the 'Universal Human' theme, it is suggested to tell stories about identity and self-discovery, the value of life, dignity and freedom, stories of light, goodness, sincerity and love, youth subcultures, adolescent identity, emotional closeness in times of digital distances, the search for justice, mutual aid, friendship, respect, acceptance of diversity, countering bullying and aggression, as well as human vulnerability and strength.

The theme of looted art is also given attention, particularly recommending to address the history of Ukrainian museums that have been robbed by Russian occupiers, the destroyed churches of Ukraine, as well as the destruction of cultural monuments such as architectural structures, ancient houses, unique museums, cultural centers, and luxurious palaces that have become targets of Russian shelling.

Furthermore, when highlighting socially significant professions, it is suggested to tell stories about firefighters, rescuers, medics, paramedics, energy workers, utility workers, railway workers, critical infrastructure workers, teachers and educators, social workers, psychologists, rehabilitation specialists, and others who enable the state to function.

Among other recommended themes are volunteering, charity and patronage, tax payments, legal business operations, community activities, local self-government, waste sorting and environmental care, digital security, inclusion, diversity, multiculturalism and multi-confessionalism, economic and financial literacy, media literacy and information resilience, revitalization of spaces, safe cities, memorialization, youth startups, craft production, scientific discoveries, architectural accessibility of cities, debunking myths about psychology, personal stories of language transformation, youth language and new cultural codes, as well as other topics.

As previously reported, the Ministry of Culture announced on April 3 the start of the application submission for the initiative to create Ukrainian cultural products, which was previously called '1000 Hours of Ukrainian Content' and has now been renamed 'Thousand Spring.'

To implement this program, the state budget for 2026 allocates 4 billion hryvnias. According to the Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture of Ukraine, Tetiana Berezhna, this year, a maximum of 80% of the specified amount, which is 3.2 billion hryvnias, will be allocated to the 'Thousand Spring' program.

Berezhna also added that the ministry plans to propose to allocate funds for the 'Thousand Spring' program in the state budget for 2027.

It is worth recalling that in February, Berezhna announced the launch in 2026 of the 'eBook' program for parents of newborns, expanding the age range to young people up to 22 years, replenishing library funds in co-financing with communities, and providing subsidies for renting premises for bookstores.