Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Research Articles

Violation of human rights to access to cultural heritage during the Russian aggression against Ukraine

The article is devoted to the study of the right of a person and a citizen to use the cultural heritage of his people, to access cultural values. During the armed attack of the Russian Federation on Ukraine, from the first days of the active phase of the war, the world saw cultural genocide, intentions to destroy the Ukrainian nation, which, according to the aggressor, has no right to exist. The whole world witnessed the destruction by the aggressor country of our historical memory, which is represented in objects, traditions, crafts, etc. Cultural heritage is a living tradition that connects generations, forms the identity of the Ukrainian nation, and is the property of all mankind. The denial of the Ukrainian people's ownership of their cultural heritage, its destruction, the theft and appropriation of cultural values, the eradication of historical memory is a component of the Russian policy of destroying the identity of the Ukrainian people. Therefore, cultural heritage occupies a central place in the strategy of Russian aggression against Ukraine to establish historical, cultural and religious hegemony. It is the cultural heritage of Ukraine, in which our Ukrainian cultural code is reflected, that influences the formation of us as a nation, inspiring the defense of our country against the racists. This once again emphasizes that the preservation of cultural heritage sites during war or armed conflict is extremely important when there is a great threat of their damage, destruction or theft of cultural values by the enemy. The article analyzes international and national legislation regarding the preservation of the cultural heritage of the people and responsibility for its destruction during hostilities. Ukraine and, first of all, the international community should apply all instruments of international law in order to bring to justice both the aggressor state and individuals guilty of the destruction, damage and theft of cultural values of Ukraine, because, as noted at the beginning of the article, cultural heritage is property of all mankind.

Digitalisation of Archive Funds, Museum and Library Collections as a Factor of the Preservation of the National Cultural Heritage of Ukraine

The purpose of the article is to analyse the problems of protection and rescue of cultural objects, in particular, to determine the role of digitisation of archival funds, museum and library collections as a factor of the preservation of national cultural heritage. The methodological basis of the research consists of general scientific and special methods of studying the problem, the use of which made it possible to achieve the goal. The applied methods made it possible to outline the problems of protection and rescue of cultural objects, in particular, to determine the role of digitisation of archival funds, museum and library collections. The principle of historicism, which involves considering any phenomenon in its self-development under the influence of various factors, became the main one. The historical-systemic method is aimed at the analysis of society as a whole and transformations within it, caused by changes in the political, cultural and informational and communication space. Quantitative methods were used to process the results of analytical studies, as well as to diagnose the studied phenomena, in particular, to present digitised collections in the network and rank them according to the purpose of digitisation. The scientific novelty of the work consists in the expansion of ideas about the scale of digitisation of archival funds, museum and library collections, its role in the preservation of cultural objects. Thanks to the research carried out by the authors, projects, scientific and popular scientific events are presented, the purpose of which was to discuss the problems of loss, rescue and protection of the national cultural heritage of Ukraine. The authors state that the problems of preservation of cultural values, transfer, promotion and development of cultural heritage in Ukraine are now issues of national security. Conclusions. The research have proved that the implementation of information technologies and large-scale digitization are becoming absolutely necessary for modern archives, libraries and museums, have great significance and are carried out in order to ensure accessibility, preservation and dissemination of knowledge and cultural heritage. Keywords: digitisation, archival fund, museum and library collection, national cultural heritage.

Epistolary of P. Kulish on the Websites of the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine

The purpose of the article is to study and characterise the available sources and projects of digitisation and virtualisation of P. Kulish’s epistolary heritage on the websites of the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine (hereinafter – VNLU) to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of Ukraine. Research methods. The work uses a set of scientific methods based on an interdisciplinary approach, which includes analytical (for analysing electronic resources and the Internet), historical (for tracing the process of digitising P. Kulish’s manuscript heritage), information and library science aspects. Scientific novelty. Kulish studies (a scientific discipline that studies the life and work of P. Kulish) are widely represented and introduced into scientific and information circulation thanks to the electronic resources of the VNLU. The electronic resources are filled with the digitized documentary heritage of P. Kulish: a small part of his epistolary works, fiction and scientific works, photographic documents, and VNLU reference books, which contain information about the funds where the writer’s paper documents are stored. The created digital objects of P. Kulish’s epistolary works are an integral part of the digital cultural heritage. Conclusions. P. Kulish’s epistolary heritage is not digitised to the full extent to which it is presented in paper form and requires an urgent digitisation process. Ukrainian society is deprived of the opportunity to freely use the national heritage in the form of P. Kulish’s epistolary heritage, which is a historical source and generally identifies Ukrainians as an original nation with an authentic cultural heritage. Today, the formation of an informative electronic environment aimed at highlighting national achievements is the main strategic task for the development of not only the leading library institutions of Ukraine but also public policy in general.

Facing Threats to Libraries and Cultural Heritage in the Russia-Ukraine War: A Case Study and Comparative Review of the Library and Information Community’s’ Responses to the Conflict

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded and began a war in Ukraine. After it commenced, the international library and information community began responding. Specifically, formal public-facing response on the conflict were released by the American Library Association (ALA), Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA), Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), Danish Library Association (DLA), European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA), International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), Library Association of Latvia (LAL), and New Zealand Library Association Inc. (LIANZA). Chronicling and describing the international library and information community’s first public-facing responses addressing Russia’s war in Ukraine is the main objective of this article. Drawing upon a combined policy and thematic analysis of some of these first formal public responses, the article aims are to help account, review, and contextualize the ways in which this community considered the war during its first week and, in turn, reveal areas or issues of convergence or divergence between them. Specifically, it provides a snapshot in time revealing the international library and information community’s immediate perspectives and positions on the war during its earliest stages. For instance, the formal public responses released by the ALA, ALIA, CFLA, CILIP, DLA, EBLIDA, IFLA, LAL, and LIANZA during the war’s first week demonstrates international concern about the conflict and its affects on their Ukrainian counterparts and cultural heritage. Broad thematic convergence surfaces across the responses. Almost all plead for solutions to and resolution of the war. A majority offer solidarity for Ukrainian colleagues and all Ukrainians, support democracy and freedom of expression, asseverate for spreading accurate information about the war, and condemn Russia’s assault. Additional themes appearing in some of the responses include assisting Ukrainian refugees and displaying dismay regarding threats confronting Ukrainian cultural heritage.

Digital Transformation of Preservation and Restoration of Ukraine's Cultural Heritage

Digital transformation of the preservation and restoration of Ukraine's cultural heritage plays a key role in the national and patriotic education of the people and in ensuring the country's territorial integrity. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a significant number of cultural sites were damaged and destroyed. Therefore, there is a need for their digital registration and further restoration through the use of digital technologies. The article aims to study the principles of digital transformation and possible improvement of the quality of the cultural level in Ukraine and to define the Ukrainian idea through the dissemination of culture, in particular, through educational activities. Given the current trends in the penetration of digital technologies into all spheres of life, their use in the cultural sphere can help boost morale and serve as a tool to combat Russia's expansive cultural rhetoric. The article focuses on the peculiarities of digital transformation, the main means of its implementation, and possible further development. The results of the study indicate the need to use digital technologies as a tool for reconstruction and a means of information protection of the most important cultural sites. The article draws attention to the public administration policy and the problems of financing cultural monuments and objects as the main means for possible further digital transformation. The findings of the study may be useful for further analytical research on the use and implementation of digital transformation of cultural heritage in Ukraine.

Landscape architecture as means of forming national identity in public spaces in buffer zones of Ukrainian cultural heritage objects

The article presents the results of the author's study of the formation of national identity in public spaces by means of landscape architecture. It has been presented that public spaces are separated on democratic and totalitarian by the socio-political factor. The most expressive about the manifestation or change of national identity is the urban environment of important public spaces, that are centers of popular assemblies, demonstrations and other collective events. Based on the theoretical analysis of the development of the Ukrainians, the main aspects of the manifestation of national identity in the public spaces are democracy and sacredness. It means giving democratic features to public spaces and creation memorable places. The key symbol of Ukrainian identification – is vegetation as an image of the infinity of life, the strength of the spirit and love for the Motherland. Additionally, in the article, is analyzed intercultural and instinctive perception of landscape scenes. These features correspond to the deep foundations of human perception of the environment: natural forms; zoning; semi-closed space; the presence of greenery and water. The internal filling of space should be carried out taking into account comfort and safety, but with a bias towards national motives. In particular, we have identified such features of the Ukrainian landscape style as: zoning and monoculture; the presence of a stalls and front gardens; abundant autochthonous gardening; and sacred elements of improvement. The newly created concept of an identical space device should be fixed in a special document - the design code of the buffer zone. The design code should contain detailed characteristics regarding the improvement of the buffer zone. The formation of national identity in the public spaces of buffer zones of cultural heritage monuments will contribute to the implementation of safety and security functions without violating the traditional nature of the historical environment.

Master’s Photo Art Project “Manifestations of the Sacred Zaporizhzhia”

The author’s idea of the master’s photography project was to recreate the unique atmosphere, sacred and historical spirit of Khortytsia Island, where the symbol of the Ukrainian Cossacks, the Zaporizhzhia Sich, was located. For every nation, its history is essential, and Khortytsia has been preserving the heritage of our people for many centuries. At all times, the island has been attractive not only for its beauty but also for its sacred meaning. Nowadays, Khortytsia is not often depicted in cinematic works. Therefore, the relevance of the work is due to the need to draw the cinematographic community’s attention to the historical and sacred heritage of this Cossack Island. The representation of Khortytsia does not always reflect the historical and cultural aspects of this sacred place. Often films portray the island as a beautiful natural area without paying due attention to its cultural and historical significance for the Ukrainian people. Audiovisual works can treat Khortytsia only as a landscape for filming, without resorting to a detailed study of the cultural heritage. The cinematography does not always succeed in accurately conveying the character and appearance of the island’s sanctity, which can cause misconceptions among viewers. The project aims to reflect the mystery, mysticism, and spirituality of these places through the language of photography. The photographs demonstrate different historical periods, starting from the Bronze Age (Braharnya sanctuary), the Cossack period (a series of Zaporizhian Sich images), and up to the present day, showing the evolution of humanity and its impact on the world. The photo art project “Manifestations of Sacred Zaporizhzhia” is an informative, emotional, and visually exciting journey into the past that will inspire viewers to a deeper understanding of Ukrainian culture. The aim of the project is to reveal the depth of sacred Zaporizhzhia through photography, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in its mysteries, spirituality, and history, to see the diversity of this region and its impact on the cultural heritage of Ukraine.

Ukraiński ruch filmowy we Lwowie w latach 30. XX wieku


 
 
 Title of the article: The Ukrainian film movement in 1930s Lviv The Ukrainian film movement in the 1930s was not developed on a wider scale. Due to the cost of the equipment and the film, few people could make films. Those who did included the members of the Ukrainian Photographic Society, who had completed specialist film courses. Their achievements included short feature films and documentary films, some of which were of true artistic merit. From the circle of Ukrainian cinematographers, J. Dorosz, S. Kułykiwna, W. Humecki and J. Bochenski deserve mention special. Moreover, the last two film-makers wrote about the necessity of recording Ukrainian cultural heritage; they expressed the need for patriotic, socially useful films. At that time, Ukrainian film criticism also developed in Lviv, In particular, it found expression in two outstanding periodicals published in the Ukrainian language, “Cinema” (1930–1936) and “Light and Shadow” (1933–1939).
 
 

Endangered cultural heritage in the Russia–Ukraine war: comparing and critiquing interventions by international cultural heritage organizations

ABSTRACT Cultural heritage in Ukraine is presently endangered. As Russia’s war against the country continues, Ukrainian cultural heritage has been damaged, destroyed, and remains at risk. Interventions into the war initiated by the international cultural heritage community commenced with the issuance of formal public statements regarding the war and its implications. This article reviews the statements by some of the world’s leading cultural heritage organizations, specifically the International Council on Archives (ICA), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Twin objectives are offered: first, establishing an overview of the international cultural heritage community’s early communications regarding the war; and second, comparing and critiquing these public pronouncements and implications for Ukrainian cultural heritage. Ultimately, a joint contemporary and historical snapshot situating the international cultural heritage community within the war’s early stages is presented.

Ossolineum as a common historical heritage of Ukrainians and Poles

Historically, it happened that Ukrainians and Poles, during long historical periods, lived within the same states, such as theAustro-Hungarian or Russian empires, the First and Second Years of Partition, and therefore, in fact, both peoples are involved in the formation of cultural heritage such as, for example, the Osolinski library. Being a gift to the city of Lviv at the beginning of the 19th century, the library grew over the following years, and by the beginning of the 20th century it became one of the richest in Central Europe. Due to the change of borders and the state affiliation of Lviv, as a result of two world wars and the criminal negligence of the Soviet authorities regarding the Ukrainian cultural heritage, a significant part of the Ossolineum's funds ended up on the territory of the Republic of Poland. The transfer of Ossolineum funds by the Soviet side of Poland was carried out in several stages between 1945 and 1987. At the beginning of the 90s of the 20th century, the negotiation process began between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland on the return of Ossolineum to its country of origin. In fact, throughout the 1990s and two decades of the 21st century, discussions between Ukraine and Poland about the ownership of Ossolineum and its restitution to Ukraine continued. Unfortunately, all these negotiations, as of today, have not yielded any results.

ZMIEVY VALY. THE PRESENT: SCIENTIFIC ISSUES, TASKS AND PERSPECTIVES

The history of research and the issues of research and protection of wood-earth embankments in the Middle Dnipro region known as Zmiievi Valy (the Dragon Ramparts) are reviewed in the paper. The history of the study of this type of archaeological site is briefly described. In the 19th century, the ramparts were described by several researchers. In the second half of the 20th century, the ramparts were explored by M. P. Kuchera. The research lasted 10 years. As a result of field work, the main characteristics of the constructions are described. The paper presents an outline of the scientific issues of Zmiievi Valy and the defense system of princely Kyiv. The problem of using a separate topo-geodetic service during the construction of a defense system is considered. The main methods of interaction and strengthening of defense lines and the surrounding landscape are outlined. Tasks for future research are set and their prospects are outlined. The connection of the theme of the Zmiievi Valy with many areas of work with the cultural heritage of Ukraine is shown. The main parameters of the future research and protection program are briefly outlined. Among the tasks of the program are the following: 1) Digitization of all scientific publications and archival materials related to the topic of Zmiievi Valy; 2) Collection and digitization of various cartographic and visual materials; 3) Development and implementation of measures for the protection of Zmiievi Valy. Monitoring of the current state of each line of shafts. A comprehensive survey of not only the remains of the ramparts and the surrounding area. 4) Drawing up a management plan for Zmiievi Valy; 5) Development of an advocacy campaign on the subject of Zmiievi Valy; 6) Creation of a unique geo-informational atlas of defense structures and surrounding space. Specific models of the landscape will contribute to the study of various aspects of the functioning of Kyiv’s defense system. Application of information modeling will allow us to move away from abstract statements in the field of military history.
 Zmiievi Valy as a complex sites that have given birth to a certain mythology around them and are wrapped in an ancient local oral folk and cabinet history tradition, still influence the present and have a significant potential to enrich our future.

A Global Approach to Decolonizing Ukrainian Cultural Heritage

A new partnership project aims to create a guide to decoloniality for use in Ukraine, the UK and globally. Decoloniality – a developing practice in the UK and elsewhere – is essential for the long-term protection of cultural heritage in Ukraine and other countries impacted by Russian colonial rule. By encouraging readers to question long-held assumptions about Russia’s role as a colonizing power, the guide will act as a tool for specialists and non-specialists struggling to accurately identify and describe cultural heritage from Eastern Europe. At the time of writing, planning for this pilot project is at an early stage, but the guide is envisaged as a much-needed step towards enhancing global perspectives on the rich cultural heritage of this often misunderstood and underrepresented region. This paper focuses on two key challenges we face in embarking on this one-year project: concepts of nationality in a region with historically shifting borders and issues surrounding language, terminology and transliteration.

Saving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online and the Mission to Preserve Digital Cultural Heritage

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief and preliminary examination of lessons learned by Saving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online (SUCHO) in its efforts to web-scrape Ukrainian cultural heritage websites and develop educational materials, following a grounding of the work in an equally brief foundation of the importance of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.

Ivan Khandoshko. Restitution of Ukrainian Cultural Heritage: Relevance of the Present

The challenges of the present force us to delve as deeply as possible into our past, bringing back from oblivion everything that will help us to restore historical justice and enrich Ukrainian culture. The article is dedicated to the description of the figure of the virtuoso violinist Ivan Yevstakhiiovych Khandoshkin in the light of his Ukrainian origin. He has been considered as the founder of Russian violin school until recently. The heritage of I. Khandoshkin has been still interpreted by Russian researchers exclusively as a component of Russian musical culture and all the details of his works, emphasizing the Ukrainian origin of the composer, are concealed. After all, this case has not been an isolated one, because in this way, at the expense of many names of Ukrainian origin, the so-called Russian culture is created, enriched and asserted. The work of Ukrainian composer and musician Mykhailo Stepanenko, who has emphasized the Ukrainian origin of the artist, presented the Ukrainian sounding of his name – Ivan Ostapovych Khandoshko, and confirmed his spiritual belonging to Ukrainian culture, manifested in his violin works, becomes a stimulus for this scientific investigation. There is also another Ukrainian, the tsarist officer Vasyl Myrovych, a descendant of the closest assistant and associate of Hetman Ivan Mazepa, Pereiaslav colonel Fedir Myrovych. Vasyl Myrovych has been executed by the tsarist government for the attempt of a coup d’état. Therefore, I. Khandoshko’s dedication of one of his best sonatas to the Ukrainian Vasyl Myrovych is another confirmation of the Ukrainian essence of the composer. Studying additional musicological and historical sources we have managed to clarify and enrich information about the life and works of I. Khandoshko, which is on the article authoress opinion of a great importance both for Ukrainian violin performance in particular and for the entire musical culture of Ukraine in general.

Zastosowanie technologii archiwizacji Internetu w identyfikacji i ratowaniu cyfrowego dziedzictwa kulturowego Ukrainy

The subject of the research is the Internet archiving technology that enables the identification and preservation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage during the armed conflict. This conflict began on February 24, 2022, with the attack of Russian troops on Ukraine. As a result of these military operations, the digital resources of cultural institutions in Ukraine have been partially destroyed and are still threatened with destruction.The research was conducted using desk research and case study methods, as well as focusing on the digital resources of the Ukrainian state. The Internet archiving project, Internet Archive, is also discussed. The activities of the scientific community dealing with Internet archiving are presented. SUCHO (Saving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online) is identified and described, and archived websites and digital resources of Ukraine’s cultural heritage have also been reviewed. These activities were carried out independently of international arrangements and in an ad hoc manner with the aim of securing digital resources of cultural heritage. Subsequently, activities will be carried out to identify and settle material losses in the form of objects and material infrastructure. This article presents the role and tasks of UNESCO and UNITAR as organizations in the use of satellite telemetry for the purposes of humanitarian aid, disasters, and conflicts.

All-ukrainian Sociological Research as a Way of Attracting Youth of Ukraine (to the 300th Anniversary of the Birth of H. S. Skovoroda)

The purpose of the article is to analyze sociological data that highlight the attitude of modern youth to the outstanding Ukrainian philosopher, humanist educator, poet, musician, teacher Hryhoriy Savych Skovoroda and to reveal the level of awareness among young people about the writer's life and work. The research methodology is based on the application of general scientific methods of cognitive research (analysis, synthesis) and empirical methods of sociological research (survey, document analysis). Scientific novelty. For the first time, the level of awareness of young people and young people aged 14 to 35 years about the life and national-patriotic significance of the personality and creativity of Hryhoriy Savich Skovoroda was investigated. Conclusions. Libraries of Ukraine for youth are important centers that contribute to the knowledge and understanding of Ukrainian cultural heritage by young people. According to the data of sociological studies, it was established that: modern youth are well informed about the life principles and creativity of Hryhoriy Savych Skovoroda; respondents consider the philosopher an example of a strong-willed personality; young people are patriots of their Motherland, who value the history of their region and are proud of Ukrainian culture. It was determined that now, precisely in the period of the national liberation struggle, young people are clearly aware of the value of freedom for the Ukrainian nation, which Hryhoriy Skovoroda professed. The library for youth and youth can hold informational events to popularize the work of Hryhoriy Savych Skovoroda, act as a location for modern youth events. Libraries of Ukraine for youth are important centers that contribute to the true perception of Ukrainian culture by young people. A sociological survey acts as an active way of involving the modern generation in reading and understanding the works of H.S. Frying pans and knowledge of the life principles of a philosopher. Keywords: survey, youth, young people, Skovoroda Hryhoriy Savych, philosopher, freedom, library for young people.

AL HERITAGE OF UKRAINE AND WAYS OF THEIR RECREATION LOST MONUMENTS OF THE CULTUR

The article deals with scientific and practical issues of solving the problem of lost cultural monuments in Ukraine. It highlights the loss of Ukrainian cultural heritage sites as a result of war crimes of the Russian Federation and considers possible ways of recreating them, taking into account existing practice, which will serve as a useful example for the subsequent incarnations of the lost architectural monuments. The questions of the legitimacy of the reconstruction of various objects of cultural heritage in accordance with domestic and international standards are discussed. Some financial and economic aspects of restoring the cultural heritage of Ukraine are considered. The purpose of this study is to highlight the problems of destruction and damage of Ukrainian cultural heritage sites’ after full-scale Russian aggression and directions of their recreation considering domestic and foreign experience.

The War on the Cultural Heritage of Ukraine

The War on the Cultural Heritage of Ukraine

Preparing for the post-war reconstruction of historical monuments in Ukraine: Considerations in regard of the ongoing Polish post-WWII experience and international law on the protection and conservation of historical monuments

The article deals with three groups of issues, which are closely interrelated. The main problem discussed is the issue of the reconstruction, revalorisation and protection of Ukrainian monuments exposed to destruction as a result of warfare and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The second issue presented is the experience of Polish conservators in the area of cities destroyed during World War II. The third issue is international legislation in the field of heritage protection, which was analysed for the planned activities in the area of reconstruction and revaluation of Ukrainian monuments after the end of the war. The above-mentioned research was carried out by a Polish-Ukrainian team of heritage conservators, which seeks to be involved in the process of saving Ukrainian cultural heritage.

National and Patriotic Aspects of Cultural and Artistic Heritage of the Ukrainian Creative Intelligentsia in the Years of Khrushchev’s «Thaw» and the Unfolding of Brezhnev’s «Stagnation»

The article proves that the main layers of the Ukrainian cultural heritage of the 60s – 70s of the 20th century were filled with national content. The right to free national development of Ukrainians was defended in their writings by masters of the pen – poets, novelists, publicists, writers. Identification of Ukrainianness was carried out by them on the basis of national faith, language, traditions and other means of ethno-affirmation. It was revealed that the Ukrainian song in the conditions of the comprehensive policy of Russification became a means of implementing the national language practice in the lives of Ukrainians. Film artists and theater groups of the time also tried to distance themselves from the ideology of the Soviet system and preserve the national orientation in their work. During the difficult period of statelessness, the Ukrainian ethno-art tradition was also picked up and creatively assimilated by progressive artists. Among the creative intelligentsia, there was a growing interest in the folk as an expression of the national. There have been noticeable positive changes in the restoration of the functioning of the forgotten types of Ukrainian folk art. Even in the 1970s, the Ukrainian creative elite managed to preserve its national potential.