British News Agency

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Ukrainian artists and cultural figures and presented state awards to a number of individuals.

In a statement shared on his social media account, Zelensky announced that he had presented the "Gold Star" award, posthumously conferred on writer, translator and civil society activist Volodymyr Vakulenko, to his mother.

The recipients also included members of the musical group DakhaBrakha, Anatoliy Kokush, Marko Halanevych and Olena Tsybulska, as well as Dariya Astafieva, Yaroslava Gres, Valeria Guzema, Vera Kobzar, Taras Topolya, Lyubko Deresh and Yuliya Kozlovets.

Emphasizing the important role of culture and the arts in bringing Ukraine's voice to the world, Zelensky stated that art, painting and cinema strengthen social solidarity within the country while helping to communicate the truth about Ukraine's experiences abroad.

Zelensky thanked Ukrainian artists for their efforts to raise awareness of the truth internationally and support the morale of the Ukrainian people.