News date: 21 November 2025
Ilyashev & Partners has served as the legal advisor to the International Institute of Cultural Diplomacy in connection with the transfer of copyright for the publication in Ukraine of children’s books by the renowned Czech illustrator and author Miroslav Šašek.
As part of this cooperation, Ilyashev & Partners provided legal guidance to the International Institute of Cultural Diplomacy in drafting and structuring an international licensing agreement with the Miroslav Šašek Foundation (Czech Republic). The agreement provides for the non-commercial transfer of rights to publish in Ukraine 18 illustrated children’s books by the celebrated Czech artist. The legal support was led by Managing Partner Mikhail Ilyashev and Andriy Lytvyn, Head of the Kharkiv Office.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in cultural diplomacy and international cooperation in the field of intellectual property. The agreement represents one of the largest non-commercial copyright transfers in the publishing industry, incorporating unique provisions on publication quality control, exclusive rights, and diplomatic support from governmental institutions of Ukraine and the Czech Republic.
Miroslav Šašek (1916–1980) is a world-famous Czech illustrator and the author of the iconic children’s book series “This is…”, dedicated to major cities around the globe. His works are celebrated for their accurate depiction of culture, traditions, and architecture, and are recognized as classics of 20th-century children’s literature with considerable cultural and educational value.
The first Ukrainian-language edition of the series has already been published: the book “This Is Paris” was presented in Kyiv on 18 November 2025.
The initiative, launched by the International Institute of Cultural Diplomacy, is implemented in cooperation with the Miroslav Šašek Foundation, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ukraine, the Czech Centre in Kyiv, the Public Diplomacy Center of the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, the Association of Spouses of Ukrainian Diplomats, the General Directorate for Foreign Missions Services, Dukh i Litera publishing house, Budzirka trading and manufacturing company, and Elis event agency.
The International Institute of Cultural Diplomacy is a Ukrainian non-governmental organization established in 2017, uniting cultural professionals to promote Ukrainian art worldwide. The Institute organizes international exhibitions, conferences, and cultural initiatives designed to foster intercultural dialogue and support creative cooperation. Its mission is to combine diplomatic tools with cultural exchange, creating platforms for global collaboration between artists and cultural institutions.