Russia's war in Ukraine threatens to destroy its art and history, say curators rushing to save it
Ihor Poshyvailo and others are working to protect and move priceless artifacts from conflict zones
Russia's war against Ukraine isn't just a war of territory, but an attack on Ukrainian culture including its art and history, according to the co-founder of the Heritage Emergency Response Initiative.
"Only since regaining our independence in 1991, we started to rediscover our history, regaining our cultural identity. We just started to feel ourselves as Ukrainians," Ihor Poshyvailo told Matt Galloway on The Current.
"That is why it is important to preserve all our cultural heritage … as the basis for us, as one nation, as one people."
That's why as fighting continues, work is being done to protect some art and artifacts in Ukraine. Artwork and statues are being pulled from the walls and shelves of art galleries, museums, libraries and archives, carefully packed and stealthily shipped out of the war zone.
Poshyvailo is the director of the Maidan Museum in Kyivis and the co-founder of the Heritage Emergency Response Initiative, a program to organize local rescue efforts.
He estimates there could be millions of cultural items under threat, and says it's important not to let Russia's attacks, headed by President Vladimir Putin, erase that history.
"All those democratization movements for Ukrainians, independence for rediscovering our history, rediscovering our identity — now they are under threat. And that is why we tried to reunite and to respond to the battles on the frontline.
Poshyvailo wouldn't say what works they've been able to save so far, for the safety of museums and people involved. Even though they've been able to move exhibits to safer parts of country, they are looking at sending the items further west outside the country.
But not everything can be moved. Some works are being protected within the museums themselves such as putting up plywood and sandbags to stabilize parts of the building. And for objects that can't be moved, they are doing the same.
Not everything can be easily relocated, however. Some historic buildings including cathedrals, public squares and the museums themselves have been damaged or even reduced to rubble by Russian bombardments, according to the New York Times.
An important fight
Brian Daniels, advisor to the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative, says these kind of efforts are important.
He compares it to if someone's house was on fire, the first step would be to save everyone in the house. But the first objects people grab are often photo albums, keepsakes, and other mementos that mark precious memories.
"There are lots of groups and individuals who are doing really extraordinary things to help protect human lives," said Daniels.
"But there's very few people who work on trying to preserve the art and the written history of a nation of a people. And that's what you hear people like Ihor are trying to do."
Daniels says the international community has been working with Poshyvailo since Russia's occupation of Crimea in 2014. The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative has also been sending financial support so this work can continue.
"These interventions that you hear about in these conflict zones, the sandbagging the other kind of plywood sheeting, fire extinguishers, they're not costless. They don't cost a huge amount of money, but in a war zone those lines of liquidity and institutional support often dry up," said Daniels.
And as that funding continues to come in, Poshyvailo and those he works with continue to do what they can to protect Ukraine's history.
"The real goal is how to save our cultural heritage as much as possible," said Poshyvailo.
Written by Philip Drost. Produced by Ben Jamieson.
