On 13 September 2025, the Embassies of Ukraine and Austria were delighted to jointly present an inspiring morning of literature, music, and coffee culture at the Canberra Museum and Gallery.

The event celebrated the shared Central European traditions of Ukraine and Austria — from the historic coffee houses of Vienna and Lviv to contemporary reflections on identity, creativity, and resilience.

At the opening of the event, H.E. Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, spoke about the resilience of Ukrainians in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression, highlighting the power of culture to connect nations even in the darkest of times.
H.E. Elisabeth Koegler, Ambassador of Austria to Australia, also addressed the audience, underlining the strong cultural ties between Austria and Ukraine and reaffirming Austria’s continued support for Ukraine.

A special highlight of the programme was a lecture by Mr Vadym Granovskiy, Ukraine’s renowned coffee expert, who explored the history of coffee culture and the connections between Ukraine, Austria, and Australia through coffee house traditions. He also reflected on Ukrainian resilience and presented a tasting of his signature creation - Flat Red coffee, an innovative drink that bridges global coffee culture with Ukrainian creativity and is gaining international recognition.

Literary readings of classic and contemporary Ukrainian works were presented by Mr Pavlo Troian from the Embassy of Ukraine and Mr Dominik Grossalber from the Embassy of Austria, with the artistic support of renowned Australian artist Mr Nick Byrne.

The atmosphere of an authentic European coffee house was further enhanced by performances from the Reksten Trio, who presented a selection of Austrian classical repertoire.

Following the Canberra event, and with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia and the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, Vadym Granovskiy continued his Coffee Diplomacy Tour with lectures and Flat Red tastings in Sydney and Melbourne - bringing Ukraine’s living coffee culture to Australia’s major cities.

In addition, the event included a charitable fundraising initiative in support of the Ukrainian Support Fund (USF).
Guests were invited to contribute to the Australian tax-deductible charity, which raises funds for critical medical equipment for wounded Ukrainians, including bone fixation devices essential for limb-saving surgeries. The initiative underscored the event’s broader message of solidarity, compassion, and practical support for Ukraine alongside cultural exchange.