Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk

Oleksandra Matviichuk is the world’s best-known activist in the Ukrainian human rights movement. In 2022, the Centre for Civil Liberties, which she heads, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. A qualified lawyer and human rights advocate, she is passionately committed to defending freedom and human dignity in Ukraine and across the OSCE region. At the asphalt Festival 2026, Matviichuk will deliver a keynote speech discussing how Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is putting not just one country, but the fundamental values of democratic societies to the test. As a lawyer and human rights defender, she will provide insights into her work and discuss how democracy, the rule of law and international law can be defended even in times of war. What can Europe learn from Ukraine’s experiences, at a time when democratic values and institutions are coming under increasing pressure here too?

In the second part of the event, Oleksandra Matviichuk and the singer and human rights activist Christina Daletska will discuss the cultural impact of Russia’s military actions. In an attempt to destroy Ukraine’s cultural heritage, Russia has attacked numerous cultural sites with missiles and drones in recent weeks. The immediate threats to Ukraine’s culture, art and history are alarming.

Oleksandra Matviichuk is the author of numerous reports for UN bodies, the Council of Europe, the EU, the OSCE and the International Criminal Court. She has many years’ experience in documenting violations of international law and human rights during armed conflicts and, together with other partners, founded the »Tribunal for Putin« initiative. She also possesses a high level of expertise in engaging citizens in human rights activities to counter attacks on rights and freedoms. Matviichuk has received numerous awards for her work. In May 2026, she was among the first members to be admitted to the European Parliament’s newly established Order of Merit, in recognition of her commitment to European integration and the protection of European values. In 2025, she was awarded the Dutch Auschwitz Prize. In 2022, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, received the Right Livelihood Award and the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize, and was recognised by the Financial Times as one of the 25 most influential women in the world. In 2016, she received the OSCE’s Democracy Defender Award for her »outstanding contribution to the promotion of democracy and human rights«.

Christina Daletska, who was born and raised in Lviv, Ukraine, is a human rights activist and has been an official ambassador for Amnesty International Switzerland for 13 years. She has been working as a volunteer since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The musician is regarded as one of the outstanding sopranos of her generation. Following the discussion, she will be performing as a singer in the concert ‘shy and wild is love’ with the Arditti Quartet and harpist Consuelo Giulianelli.

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