Russia’s full-scale invasion has seriously damaged Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Hundreds of historic buildings, museums and theatres have been ruined and Russian forces have looted art and artefacts. In occupied territories, Ukrainian monuments have been destroyed, the language suppressed and schools Russified. Digital archives have been attacked and the media censored.

“For Russia, it’s not just about destroying buildings, it’s about trying to erase Ukraine’s identity. But the Ukrainians are working hard to protect and document their cultural heritage and support from the EU is important,” says Yuliya Yurchuck.

A focus on EU support and heritage diplomacy

The HER-UKR project, External link, opens in new window. which is funded by the EU and run from the Belgian university of KU Leuven, aims to map how the EU’s heritage diplomacy works in practice and how it affects Ukraine’s ability protect its heritage. The researchers are analysing the levels at which cooperation occurs and which initiatives are taken.

The consortium’s researchers are responsible for different areas within the project, with Yurchuk leading a study on how Swedish museums cooperate with museums in Ukraine.

“Sweden previously had many contacts at the personal level, including ones that were established between different institutions even before the full-scale invasion. Those contacts proved to be very important, as museum staff were able to mobilise resources and support their colleagues in Ukraine, which was material support, such as money to buy sandbags at the beginning of the invasion. Another example is the an exhibition at the Army Museum in Stockholm, called Korsvägar: Sverige – Ukraina genom 1000 år (Crossroads: Sweden – Ukraine over 1000 Years). It is a collaboration with museums from all over Ukraine and displays artefacts that shed light on Ukraine and Sweden’s shared history,” says Yurchuk.

War exposes flaws in international regulations

Other case studies within the project focus on the regulatory framework developed by the EU to help Ukraine, or on the EU’s capacity to protect cultural heritage in wartime. Many current laws do not work in extreme situations, and the war in Ukraine has shown that they are often not sufficient in practice.

Material support is key, but contacts and cooperation are equally important.

“Support from EU member states not only shows that you are helping Ukraine, but is also regarded as a recognition of Ukraine as a sovereign state with its own culture. It is important for Ukrainians to see that their culture is recognised and has a role to play at a global level.”