On May 30-31, we hosted the 2nd “Ukrainian Cultural Heritage: #ActForHeritage” Forum. This year, USAID/ENGAGE significantly expanded the forum program, emphasizing the crucial role of communities in preserving and restorating cultural heritage. In this special edition of our newsletter, we will cover the main takeaways from our forum, discuss priorities in preserving cultural heritage, and highlight the importance of international support during perilous times for Ukrainian culture.
The Forum was inaugurated by esteemed speakers:
Theodora Dell, Deputy Mission Director, USAID Ukraine
“Civil society amplifies our efforts in documenting cultural heritage. For example, the Crimean Institute for Strategic Studies and the Anti-Corruption Headquarters, supported by USAID, created a database detailing 717 instances of Russia’s crimes against cultural heritage. This
evidence was shared with UNESCO to expose Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine’s distinct culture. Additionally, USAID/ENGAGE partnered with the Anti-Corruption Headquarters, Microsoft, and Truepic to launch the Project Providence photo verification platform. This initiative has documented damage to 572 cultural sites, prompting the initiation of 10 criminal cases”.
Prof. Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, Head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Desk in Ukraine
”Ukrainian cultural heritage embodies the strength and spirit of its people, serving as a crucial foundation for resilience throughout the hardships of ongoing war as well as for the future recovery. Safeguarding this heritage ensures that the identity of Ukraine’s communities and their valuable legacy is preserved for generations to come. The Cultural Heritage Forum united diverse partners in a collective effort to protect and preserve this invaluable heritage for Ukraine and our whole humanity.”
Mariana Tomin, Head of the Department of Cultural Heritage at the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine
“We are facing two wars – kinetic and semantic. Indeed, cultural heritage is our shield in them. It is our identity, what we fight for. Next, I want to talk about values. This is what sustains us, inspires us, gives us a future. It’s about freedom and dignity. And all of this is also presented in our cultural heritage. In material and immaterial aspects. I also want to talk about unity. Here we have: a highly professional community, the civil sector, government representatives, and international organizations. This is an extremely powerful intellectual message, but without unity of efforts, all of these are mere declarations. So, I wish all of us faith in victory, in the future, and in a strategic plan”
”Ukraine in Miniature” Exhibition Sheds Light on Destroyed Ukrainian Cultural Heritage
During the Forum, we also showcased a teaser of the “Ukraine in Miniature” exhibition. This exhibition aims to expand knowledge about the geography and history of Ukraine through 3D models from 29 architectural landmarks and provides information about the destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage.
The miniature models will be accompanied by a VR tour for a deeper exploration of the exhibition.
Soon, the exhibition will embark on a tour of European countries, where advocacy work for Ukraine is especially needed. The tour will run until October. To stay updated on the traveling exhibitions’ news, please follow us on Facebook page.
Cultural Figures and Activists Participated in Idea Pitching Sessions Focused on the Digitization of Cultural Heritage
As part of “Hataton 5.0: Heritage, Resilience, Innovation,” that occurred during the Forum, activists presented projects focused on digitizing cultural heritage. 15 teams actively collaborated with mentors to participate in the acceleration program, with the intent to present their projects offline to donors. By combining technology and professional expertise, participants sought unconventional approaches to addressing contemporary challenges.
After the project presentations, the jury selected seven winners. The team Et Cetera, with their project “NOVATRADYTSIYA,” took first place with their educational game designed to popularize cultural heritage among high school students facing threats.
The Forum drew attention to the following issues of cultural heritage protection:
- Since the beginning of full-scale invasion, Russia has destroyed or damaged 1,062 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine.
- Engaging civil society is critically important for amplifying the collective efforts of governments and international donors in preserving culture.
- Documenting and preserving evidence of cultural crimes are extremely important and necessary, requiring the systematization and development of necessary recommendations and policies.
- Erasing cultural heritage and identity is not just about destroying physical monuments; it also entails the destruction of the spiritual essence of the culture – language, literature, everything associated with Ukrainian identity.
What are the next steps?
Following the Forum, USAID/ENGAGE will continue its work to promote and protect cultural heritage at both national and international levels. This includes supporting partner organizations that document Russia’s crimes against Ukraine’s cultural heritage to ensure documentation, accountability, and future compensation for damages.
Additionally, USAID/ENGAGE plans to actively promote Ukraine’s multifaceted cultural heritage abroad to ensure support for Ukraine and emphasize that Ukraine’s cultural heritage is an integral part of European heritage.
The coalition of civil society organizations, whose creation was announced during the forum and supported by USAID/ENGAGE, will serve as a platform for coordinating civil society efforts to advocate for changes to existing policies regarding the protection of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.