Attack on Cultural Heritage
Ukrainian Museums and Memorials at War
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is also endangering museums, collections, and memorial sites. A prominent case is the destruction of the mansion in Kharkiv Oblast where the philosopher Hryhorii Skovoroda spent his twilight years. Russia is not complying with international conventions on the protection of cultural heritage. What’s more, there are indications that Russia’s troops are destroying cultural and historical sites in a targeted fashion. After all, they are physical evidence of an independent Ukrainian culture. With each attack on their cultural heritage, the Ukrainian people become more aware of their own culture. The nation’s cultural heritage has been transformed from a list of dusty objects in barely visited museums into a living treasure.
(Osteuropa 6-8/2022, pp. 447–456)