The article discusses the preservation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage during wartime, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion. The Ukrainian Foundation for Digital Art (UFDA) has partnered with museums to digitize artworks and historical artifacts from various regions, including the Nykonor Onatskyi Regional Art Museum in Sumy.
The museum’s collection includes works by notable Ukrainian artists such as Mykola Pymonenko, David Burliuk, Vasyl Krychevsky, and Oleksandr Bohomazov. However, with its proximity to the Russian border, the museum is under constant threat of destruction or theft. The UFDA has taken steps to digitize 46 paintings from the museum, ensuring that their legacy will endure even in the worst-case scenario.
The article highlights the importance of preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage, particularly given the history of repeated erasure and neglect faced by Ukrainian artists in the past. By using technology to safeguard artworks, the UFDA aims to prevent another chapter of cultural eradication.
The article also mentions that Russian forces have damaged or destroyed over 1,400 cultural heritage sites and more than 2,200 cultural facilities since the start of the full-scale war, with many of these incidents going undocumented due to lack of access to occupied territories. Furthermore, there has been a significant number of artworks and historical artifacts stolen from museums in occupied territories.
The article concludes that preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage through digitization is essential for its survival, and that it serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting this legacy for future generations.
