By David Gold
December29 – Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Borys Kolesnikov (pictured), has said that the cultural events and programme which will be held during the European Championships next summer will likely be revealed in March.
The tournament, which begins on June 8, is being held jointly between Ukraine and Poland while the draw took place at the start of December.
Following the draw English, French and German fans will all likely be based in Ukraine, as will those of the Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark and Sweden, as that is where those teams will be playing group games. Kharkiv, Lviv, Donetsk and Kyiv will all be hosting games in Ukraine.
“I will not tell you yet the details of the cultural program, nor will I reveal its – so to speak – secrets, because it would be less interesting then,” Kolesnikov, who is also the Infrastructure Minister, told The Day newspaper.
“We are working with the local authorities to produce several formats of the cultural programme for fans and guests of the Championship.
“I think we and the local councils will present the final version of the cultural activities programme this March.”
Kolesnikov was speaking after 11 commemorative coins for Euro 2012 were released by the national bank of Ukraine.
There are four different formats being worked through; one for days when Ukraine are playing and a second for when matches are being held in Ukraine but not involving the national team.
The third is for when no games are played in Ukraine, and a fourth for when no matches are being held in Poland either.
The Euro 2012 tournament director for Ukraine, Markian Lubkivsky, added that “our main task is holding the tournament itself, but of course the cultural programme is a very important component of the coming event.
“This is a unique chance for Ukraine to open itself and to show itself to the world.
“We will have a lot of fans coming here.
“According to preliminary forecasts, the number of visitors could reach one million people.
“The vast majority will come to Ukraine for the first time and, of course, they will be interested in more than just football.
“Therefore, their impression after visiting Ukraine will depend on how well we will be prepared and how we will show ourselves.
“The cultural programme is primarily the responsibility of the host cities.
“We are already working with them on it.
“I think the emphasis should be on contemporary art and street life.
“We are preparing currently the cultural programme for the UEFA family.
“We want to show them the best examples of Ukrainian culture.
“We want to show the best that we have. We will show modern Ukraine, not the usual kitsch and false folk tradition.”
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