Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha will lead our efforts in the Baltic countries and the Baltic Sea Region
From June 1st Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha will oversee Danish Cultural Institute in the Baltic countries and the rest of the Baltic Sea Region. Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha previously worked as Associate Professor at the European Humanities University in Vilnius as well as Copenhagen Business School. In addition, she is acting chairwoman of the Danish-Belarusian non-profit cultural organisation Beladania.
For more than 30 years Danish Cultural Institute has assisted in building close cultural relations between Denmark and the three Baltic countries. Danish Cultural Institute was there when Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania regained their independence, and the Institute is now helping to strengthen ties and development in and around the Baltic Sea region. With several major EU and DANIDA programmes and a large and diverse project portfolio, it is a growing department that Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha will lead from its regional office’s headquarters in Riga.
A strong regional knowledge
Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha takes on her new role with equal parts professional and personal knowledge of the region. She previously worked as Associate Professor at the European Humanities University in Vilnius, where she was chair of the “World Politics and Economics” programme, as well as Copenhagen Business School, where she taught social sciences and international politics. In addition, Lizaveta has in recent years served as chairwoman of the Danish-Belarusian cultural organisation Beladania, which has distinguished itself in the Danish cultural landscape and in the public debate by putting Belarusian art, culture and civil society on the agenda.
Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha was born in Belarus and has lived in Denmark for more than 20 years. However, she will move to Riga this summer with her husband and three children to take up her new position.
From Culture to Democracy
Danish Cultural Institute’s Baltic branch has experienced significant growth in recent years. The Institute has a wide range of activities including: classical arts and culture projects, innovative programmes in the creative industries and civil society initiatives that promote democratic development and citizen involvement.
Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha on her new position as Regional Director:
“Danish Cultural Institute’s work in the Baltic region is based on a great historical and cultural heritage. I look forward to building on this strong foundation as the new Regional Director. For me, art and culture function as an important moderator that can help resolve conflicts, bring out nuances and ensure that we meet one another in a more open and understanding way. Culture is at the heart of all human relationships. I am excited to be able to develop the existing ties between Denmark and the Baltic countries and to use my own experience, knowledge, and background to contribute to Belarusian civil society and cultural life.”
About Danish Cultural Institute’s department in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
The 18th of August 1990 Danish Cultural Institute opened its department in Riga. Danish Cultural Institute was thus the first international cultural institute in the Soviet Union outside of Moscow. Ever since, Danish Cultural Institute has worked to strengthen cultural and social ties between Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Denmark. Today, the department has its office at the National Library of Latvia in the heart of Riga.
CEO Camilla Mordhorst on the recruitment of Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha:
“I am delighted that Lizaveta will be our new Regional Director for the Baltic countries and the Baltic Sea Region. Lizaveta has a deep knowledge of the region and is a person with true commitment, working tirelessly to show the importance of art and culture in international relations. Having made the journey from Minsk to Copenhagen at a very young age, Lizaveta has a profound insight of our European neighbors and how important it is to maintain strong ties and closer dialogue within the Baltic Sea Region. Lizaveta also brings with her a strong commitment to the independent art and cultural life in Belarus, which gives even more energy to Danish Cultural Institute’s vast Belarus programmes.”
About Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha
B. 1982
From June 1st, 2023 – Regional Director of Danish Cultural Institute in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Associate Professor at European Humanities University
Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School
Consultant at Belarus Research Network for Neighbourhood Policy
Chairwoman of the cultural organization Beladania
Researcher at Danish Institute of International Studies
PhD from Belarusian State University
About Danish Cultural Institute
Since 1940 Danish Cultural institute has been engaged in fostering mutual understanding between people and cultures. Danish Cultural Institute works in countries that are of importance to Denmark – where foreign policy is at stake and where exchange and dialogue can be promoted through art and culture. The Institute has its headquarters in Copenhagen as well as branches and activities in a wide range of countries, including India, China, the Baltic countries, Brazil, and Turkey. Danish Cultural Institute is the lead partner in the programmes “The Ukrainian-Danish Youth House” and “The New Democracy Fund”, which have activities in Ukraine and the other Eastern Neighborhood countries: Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan.