Last month, the National Museum of American Diplomacy hosted a discussion with Ukrainian museum leaders on efforts to protect and preserve Ukraine’s identity and cultural heritage threatened by Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war.
“Ukraine’s cultural heritage is irreplaceable, and its damage or destruction would be a profound loss to the entire world,” said Assistant Secretary of Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield, who opened the dialogue. “Today, I’m hopeful that this conversation is a catalyst for collective action so we may all support the people of Ukraine in this important way.”
Director of the Mystetskyi Arsenal in Kyiv Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta, Director of the National Maidan Museum Ihor Poshyvailo, and Acting Director of the Khanenko Museum Yuliya Vaganova joined virtually from Ukraine. They shared their experiences and connected with U.S. counterparts, including Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large for the Smithsonian Institution Dr. Richard Kurin. These speakers highlighted needs and challenges and addressed the meaning of culture and identity amid war and humanitarian crisis. They also discussed the role of cultural diplomacy and current international efforts to assist in the protection of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
“This is a heritage war,” said Ihor Poshyvailo. “It is a war against our memory, against our identity and culture, and of course against our future.” In describing the various forms of destruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage, Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta noted that those who work in the cultural field also face personal danger because they “are the force that opposes the idea of eliminating Ukraine” and “promotes Ukraine as being a separate entity with separate political agency” from Russia. Dr. Kurin outlined work of the Smithsonian has been doing to support efforts including sending supplies and partnerships to use satellite imagery to track destruction of cultural heritage as well as American and international efforts to support evacuation of cultural artifacts and provide training in protecting and preserving cultural heritage. Highlighting that erasure of Ukraine’s culture is an aim of this war, Dr. Kurin emphasized that “culture is a source of resilience and hope – expression of culture gives people strength. Culture is what gives people a sense of who they are, and that’s what people are fighting for.”
View the full event recording on the National Museum of American Diplomacy’s website, here: A Dialogue with Ukrainian Museum Leaders on Defending and Preserving Culture and Identity in a Time of War - National Museum of American Diplomacy (state.gov)
It was an honor to join @NMADmuseum today for a discussion with Ukrainian museum directors about the importance of preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage. I was inspired by the directors’ commitment to their work, and the bravery they show in doing it.#UnitedWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/TF70bTGkvx
— Lee Satterfield (@ECA_AS) April 28, 2022
The State Department leads the United States’ work to preserve and protect historically significant places, objects, and traditions with international partners around the world, including Ukraine. Learn more about these efforts through the Cultural Heritage Center website: Cultural Heritage Center | Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (state.gov)
