As the frontline cities of Ukraine face relentless attacks, museums dedicated to preserving the nation’s rich history are racing to relocate invaluable collections to safer areas. Olha Sahaydak, the head of Ukraine’s Coalition of Cultural Workers, highlights the peril, recalling the damage inflicted on the Museum of Literature and the Philharmonic during an airstrike on the Bristol Hotel in Odesa. Yet, only a mere 10 percent of threatened items have been secured thus far.
In this tumultuous landscape, more than 3 million museum artifacts remain in Ukrainain territories near the conflict zones, endangering their very existence. In the Zaporizhzhya region, partially under Russian influence, officials are striving to protect objects symbolising Ukrainian identity. Viktoria Vodopyan, the director of Zaporizhzhya’s Regional Museum, emphasises their commitment to preserving traditional embroidered shirts, or vyshyvanka, and towels, respecting their cultural significance.
Reflecting on past losses, Vodopyan states, “We saw what was happening in the [partially occupied] Donetsk and Luhansk regions after 2014 and how the identity of the Ukrainian people was being destroyed.” Hence, officials are keen to prevent looting and further loss of cultural treasures, recalling the troubling events when Kherson was temporarily seized by Russian forces, leading to theft of paintings, gold artefacts, and sacred religious icons.
Ukrainian museums are urgently relocating historical artifacts to safeguard them from ongoing air strikes, with only 10% of items secured so far. Over 3 million items remain in danger, particularly in regions near conflict, such as Zaporizhzhya. Museum officials are prioritising the preservation of cultural symbolism, like traditional embroidered shirts, to prevent loss of identity, especially after witnessing thefts during prior occupations.
In summary, Ukrainian museums face a daunting battle to protect their cultural heritage amidst ongoing conflict. With only 10 percent of endangered artifacts relocated, the urgency is palpable. Officials like Olha Sahaydak and Viktoria Vodopyan are at the forefront, safeguarding symbols of Ukrainian identity. This highlights the critical need for continued efforts to preserve the essence of a nation in peril.
Original Source: www.rferl.org
