A CRITICAL METAPHOR ANALYSIS OF VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY’S 2022 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL SPEECH[1]
Dana Sorocean
1 Decembrie 1918 University of Alba Iulia
Abstract
War is among humanity’s deepest fears, closely linked to the universal dread of death. On February 24, 2022, Ukraine faced a full-scale military invasion by the Russian Federation, igniting the ongoing Russian–Ukrainian War. In this context, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Cannes Film Festival in May 2022, emphasising the themes of national liberation and the struggle to reclaim Ukraine’s sovereignty. He also appealed directly to Russian citizens to protest the war and oppose the authoritarian rule of President Vladimir Putin.
Given the cultural significance of the venue, Zelensky strategically employed metaphors drawn from literature and cinema—forms traditionally associated with resistance to tyranny—to reinforce his message. His rhetorical use of metaphor serves not only to engage international audiences but also to communicate complex political realities and mobilise dissent within Russia.
This paper undertakes a critical metaphor analysis (CMA) of Zelensky’s Cannes speech, situating it within the broader discourse of wartime rhetoric. It further compares Zelensky’s metaphorical strategies with those in selected speeches by Vladimir Putin, delivered on February 21, 24, and September 21, 2022. By examining the metaphorical framing in both leaders’ speeches, this study highlights how metaphor functions as a cognitive and communicative tool to construct national narratives, shape public perception, and mobilise support during conflict.
The analysis aims to clarify these rhetorical strategies for readers less familiar with Eastern European politics or language, demonstrating the central role of metaphor in political communication during the Russian–Ukrainian conflict.
Keywords: Metaphor analysis; Zelensky; Cannes Film Festival; Political discourse; War rhetoric.
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How to cite this paper: Sorocean, D. (2023). A critical metaphor analysis of Volodymyr Zelensky’s 2022 Cannes Film Festival speech. Journal of Linguistic and Intercultural Education – JoLIE, 16(2), 133–154. https://doi.org/10.29302/jolie.2023.16.2.8
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[1] The current paper was elaborated as part of the MA course in Metaphorology in contemporary media, led by Professor Teodora Popescu, academic year 2022-2023, 1 Decembrie 1918 University of Alba Iulia, Romania.