How did Ukrainians save their cultural heritage during the war? |Art & Architectural Heritage|

Protesters convened in San Francisco on March 6th, uniting in support of peace in Ukraine. On the ground beneath their feet, a blue and white dove with outstretched wings was painted, surrounded by vibrant orange flowers. This artwork replicates a 1982 piece called "A Dove Has Spread Her Wings and Asks for Peace" by Maria Prymachenko, a Ukrainian artist renowned for her colorful and cheerful depictions inspired by Ukrainian folk traditions. Pablo Picasso once referred to her as an "artistic miracle." In the week leading up to the rally, social media posts showcased a small museum housing Prymachenko's paintings engulfed in flames. Reports suggest that the fire consumed approximately 25 significant workers. Satellite imagery indicates that the surrounding structures remained untouched, suggesting a deliberate and targeted assault carried out by Russian forces. This incident is an early example of the dire consequences feared by experts for Ukraine's cultural heritage.

Across history, people have risked their lives to save art from war zones. So how do they do it? And What do we stand to lose if they fail? World War II was a turning point in the history of cultural heritage preservation. In America, Britain, and all over Europe, soldiers and volunteers worked to shield masterpieces using bricks, sandbags, and scaffolds. It works pretty well. Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" survived an accidental bombing in Milan. Thanks to the scaffolding that supported the wall, it was painted and sandbags and wood absorbed some of the blasts.

How to protect cultural heritage during times of war?

After World War II, in an effort to prevent future damage, the international community signed the 1954 Hague Convention. This convention obliged them to protect cultural property in the event of armed conflict and include clauses or requirements that do not target cultural heritage. According to the terms of the 1954 Convention, “damage to cultural property means damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind”. As UNESCO also mentions, “The 1954 Hague Convention aims to protect cultural property, such as architectural, artistic or historical monuments, archaeological sites, works of art, manuscripts, books and other objects of artistic, historical or archaeological value as cultural property, scientific collections of all types, regardless of their origin or ownership.” Therefore, attacks on cultural heritage are considered war crimes. But treaties can only do so much.

How did Ukrainians protect their cultural heritage during the war?

The first step in protecting cultural heritage is determining what needs to be protected. The 1954 Hague Convention requires each country to inventory its cultural heritage. Ukraine is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the entire historic center of Lviv. When the invasion began, museums struggled to compile their own inventories, secure buildings, and move objects to safety. Even in besieged cities, volunteers and workers return day after day to protect Ukraine's treasures. In Lviv, volunteers covered stained glass windows with metal panels and went around the city wrapping statues with canvas, insulation, tape, and whatever materials they could gather.

From the beginning, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine launched a website to collect evidence of crimes against cultural heritage, organizing everything in a timeline. Used as evidence to prosecute war crimes. And as a way to organize future efforts to secure and restore anything damaged.

Here is a list of actions that Ukrainian have taken:

1. Establishing a conservation area: Governments can establish protected areas around cultural heritage sites to prevent them from being targeted during wartime.

2. International treaties: International treaties such as the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict provide the legal framework for the protection of cultural heritage in times of war.

3. Training and education: Military personnel can be trained to recognize and respect cultural heritage, and civilians can be educated about the importance of protecting cultural heritage.

4. Emergency evacuation plan: Museums and other cultural institutions can develop emergency evacuation plans in the event of an imminent attack.

5. Document number: Digitally recording cultural heritage sites can help preserve their history and make rebuilding easier if they are damaged or destroyed.

6. Enhance security measures: Increased security measures such as surveillance cameras, guards, and fences around cultural heritage sites can deter potential attackers.

7. International cooperation: Nations can work together to protect their cultural heritage in times of war.

8. Temporary artifact removal: Artifacts may be temporarily removed from museums and other cultural facilities to protect them from damage or destruction.

9. Restoration and reconstruction: Once the conflict ends, recovery and reconstruction efforts can be undertaken to repair damaged or destroyed cultural heritage.

10. Community awareness campaign: Public awareness campaigns can help raise awareness of the importance of protecting cultural heritage in times of war and encourage people to take action to protect it.