The founder of the Borderland Centre participated in two events during the festival. The first discussion took place on 9 May at 16:30 and was titled Familiar Strangers. Central European Writers on What Makes Us Interesting to One Another. The second event was held on 31 May at 17:00 and was titled Looking Around Us. Major Literary Events of Central Europe on Their Themes and Regions.
As Krzysztof Czyżewski noted in a Facebook post, discussions on Polish–Ukrainian relations offered a striking contrast to the conflicts often amplified by media headlines. While public debates frequently focus on controversies, the atmosphere at the event in Kyiv was characterised by shared values, mutual respect and a common vision for the future.
In the same post, Czyżewski observed that speakers highlighted the growing role of culture in strengthening ties between Poland and Ukraine, from the increasing interest in Ukrainian literature and language to numerous grassroots initiatives supporting cooperation and human rights. The event underscored an important reality: everyday collaboration, friendship and understanding between Poles and Ukrainians far outweigh the divisions often portrayed in public discourse.