Statement

The Festival of Polish and Ukrainian Films "My z Wami Wy z Nami" is an initiative aimed at creating a platform for the integration of both nations and the activation of the local community - both of Polish and Ukrainian origin, as well as Ukrainian artists living in Polish cities, and bringing selected works of both cinematographies to all viewers. We are keen to popularize knowledge about the achievements of Polish and Ukrainian cinema and to clearly mark the role they play in contemporary culture. The program of the Festival includes Polish and Ukrainian films from recent years, as well as numerous accompanying events such as concerts, performances and exhibitions giving Ukrainian artists the opportunity to present their work to a wider audience in Poland.

We emphatically deny reports about our organization's alleged support for Russia - since the war started, we have not established a single cooperation with any Russian institution, now do not we promote Russian culture in any way. We condemn any aggression against another country, so by the same Russia start war with Ukraine. We see no possibility for cooperation with the aggressor country, instead we want to direct our activities to help its victims - Ukraine, as this Festival proves.

We declare that all voices and publications presenting us as a pro-Russian institution or spreading propaganda are lies and slander based on manipulations of some activists. We would like to point out that the main area of our activity is the promotion of culture, with particular emphasis on cinema, so it is an abuse to associate the Foundation with political parties and organizations from whose worldview we strongly dissociate ourselves. The Foundation is created primarily by film lovers, not political activists. Our activities are not and have never been associated with any ideology or associated with supporting any political party, even more the Putin regime, far from our values. In the team that creates the "My z Wami Wy z Nami!" festival, there is no place for promoting or accepting or tolerating events and circumstances that result in the suffering and harm of others. We condemn evil and aggression always, no matter from whom it comes - we have never acted according to anyone's propaganda line. We fully stand in solidarity with Ukraine and oppose all forms of aggression, and therefore warfare.

The Foundation's projects are the result of the work not only of the organization's board of directors, but also of its employees and volunteers, including those of Ukrainian descent, and therefore we perceive suggesting "pro-Russian," "pro-Putin," or "pro-Kremlin" activities to the team of people who make up the Foundation as an expression of extremely bad will and a manifestation of a reprimand. In the last year we have not organized a single event promoting Russian culture, nor do we have any such event planned. We believe that culture unites, so we want to have a part in integrating the communities of our nations, and if we did not see the connection of such an event with the Foundation's mission and were not convinced of its legitimacy, we would not undertake its organization.

The team of the Festival of Polish and Ukrainian Films "My z Wami Wy z Nami!"