Cultural Forces with Bono on the Cannes red carpet • Cultural Forces
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CulturalForceson theCannesredcarpet
International Cooperation17.05.20252 min read
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International Cooperation17 May 20252 min read
Ukrainian military artists took center stage at the prestigious film festival, reminding the world of Ukraine’s ongoing struggle.
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival will be remembered as a unique event. On the evening of May 16, world-renowned U2 frontman Bono used a moment of personal triumph to draw the international community’s attention to Ukraine. Following the premiere of the biographical documentary Bono: Stories of Surrender, the audience erupted into a seven-minute standing ovation. The artist, however, redirected the spotlight toward the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Bono appeared on the red carpet alongside legendary actor and director Sean Penn, Cultural Forces head Mykolai Sierga, and members of the movement — all Ukrainian defenders.
The Cultural Forces delegation before the world's press photographers.
Speaking from the stage at Cannes, the U2 frontman publicly thanked the Ukrainian service members. Bono also stressed that Ukraine is now freeing all of Europe from modern-day fascism and that international support is therefore critically important.
I want to thank you, because you are defending our freedom. Thank you! Thank you! Glory to Ukraine!
Bono — U2 frontman
Military delegation of Cultural Forces
The military delegation that joined Captain Mykolai Sierga of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the red carpet included:
Taras Stoliar — a Cultural Forces bandura player and UAV operator who fought in intense battles in the Kharkiv and Donetsk sectors.
Yurii Ivaskevych — an opera singer, Territorial Defense Forces service member, and member of Cultural Forces. He was severely wounded during intense fighting in the Zaporizhzhia sector and lost a leg.
Olha Rukavishnikova — a violinist, conductor, and reconnaissance service member. After sustaining five wounds and losing an eye in battle in May 2023, she underwent rehabilitation and returned to Cultural Forces to support her fellow service members on the front line.
Valerii Shyrokov — Cultural Forces press attaché and an experienced mortar gunner with the Territorial Defense Forces.
Artem Poznanskyi — a soldier with the 59th Separate Assault Brigade and a camera operator for Cultural Forces.
The seven-minute ovation after the premiere of Stories of Surrender.
Not just the red carpet
The Ukrainian defenders’ visit to Cannes was not limited to the red carpet. The Cultural Forces delegation participated in several important international events during the festival. The visit became a powerful act of cultural diplomacy aimed at defending Ukraine’s interests and encouraging influential global figures to support the country.
