Ukraine hopes to preserve cultural objects in winter conditions with Europe’s help – Minister Tkachenko

Ukraine counts on the solidarity of EU countries in terms of protecting cultural heritage against Russian invaders and focuses efforts on the urgent needs to preserve cultural objects in winter conditions.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Culture and Information Policy Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko during a press conference in Brussels, following the public session of the Council of Ministers of Education, Youth, Culture and Sports of the EU, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Government has an accurate register that records the damage caused to cultural heritage. On the other hand, this should also be checked at the level of international experts. This process will begin, and each object will require a special procedure to verify and restore it. But, now it is nearly impossible to start such recovery. Hence, we need at least to prepare these objects for the winter period in order to preserve them in such conditions. For this purpose, we need certain materials, including generators and other things,” Tkachenko told, answering a question about the measures taken by the ministry to record and restore the historical and cultural objects, ruined or damaged by Russian occupiers in Ukraine.

In many Ukrainian cities, numerous cultural heritage objects were destroyed or damaged, and restoration procedures can start there after the war ends only. But, now, in winter conditions, these objects require protection.

“I explained the current situation to the colleagues. Over 1,000 cultural objects were damaged. Winter is approaching, and more than 4,000 generators are required to cover the needs of Ukraine’s museum sector alone. There are also other challenges, namely those related to the need to introduce sanctions against the Russian propagandist machine, involving some Russian cultural officials. There is also a question regarding the promotion of Ukrainian culture abroad,” Tkachenko noted.

In his words, Ukraine offered EU countries to redistribute 1% of the national budgets for cultural and media needs in support of Ukraine’s cultural sector annually within the next four years as part of the EU program for 2023-2026.

According to European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel, EU officials express solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, are mobilized to preserve Ukrainian culture and heritage, and will study the country’s proposals in this regard.

Martin Baxa, Minister for Culture of the Czech Republic, noted that Europe would continue to help Ukrainian artists and support Ukrainian heritage.

mk