President of Pontifical Council for Culture Found his Visit to Ukraine Very Informative

LVIV – Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, the president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, met with Ukrainian artists on May 26, 2010, in the Lviv Palace of Arts. The archbishop admitted that he “did not expect to find [Lviv] so artistic.” Attributing this to the lack of information in the world about Ukraine, especially about its culture and art, the archbishop told the Ukrainian artists to make their artwork more accessible.

The representative of the Vatican called Ukrainians to “make your art accessible for the world so that we may know it, read it, see it, and understand it. Send us and exhibit your creative masterpieces. Help us get to know you. It is important for me that not only Russian creations reach the Vatican. I want to popularize the culture of other nations.”

However, according to the press service of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, when the archbishop was asked about a specific address where it is possible to send propositions, the president of the Pontifical Council for Culture admitted that so far there is no such place on the website of Vatican. But he assured that this problem will soon be resolved.

Also the archbishop informed about a film festival which takes place annually in Rome and that he will welcome young directors of any religion and origin who create on a spiritual theme. Archbishop Ravasi wishes to maintain continuous contact with the Ukrainian artists. He expressed hope that in the near future he will meet with them in the Vatican.