A forum and digital exhibition on the protection of Ukraine’s cultural heritage and ecosystem. This is the initiative devised by the Odessa-based NGO Pixelated Realities together with FFUN SDG (Foundation for United Nations SDG) in Kyiv, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Lviv, the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Kiev, to take stock of the damage that the war is doing to Ukraine’s architectural heritage, which is a sensitive cultural ecosystem to be preserved.
“This high-level initiative on the preservation and protection of the Ukrainian heritage is extraordinary and timely” said Ambassador Pierfrancesco Zazo, pointing out that the forum “has another, important purpose, i.e. suggesting new and more effective ways of cooperation between European cultural institutions and Ukraine,” also in light of what the European Parliament decided about including the Ukrainian artistic and cultural heritage in its priorities, in the same way as humanitarian aid. “I want to emphasise – the Ambassador continued – that the European Parliament reaffirms an essential concept in our civilisation, e.g. that culture remains an important tool for mutual understanding and the maintenance of peace between peoples”.
The event, which opened with an institutional greeting by Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Anastasia Bondar, saw renowned experts in various subjects discussing together with decision-makers the strategies for restoring and preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage threatened by the ongoing war of aggression. At the end of the forum, a free digital exhibition was inaugurated, set up with innovative technologies, which will be open until 20 December and will also involve students from local schools. The exhibition will show in digital form, including 3D and Metaverso technologies, pictures of intact buildings and of some possible solutions for the reconstruction of monuments damaged by Russian bombing that started in February 2022.
“Culture has a universal and noble value, because all peoples in the world are united by the pursuit of beauty. Culture is therefore an extraordinary tool for mutual understanding and tolerance. I would like to thank the FFUN Foundation for its valuable collaboration with the Kiev Cultural Institute in the sector of cultural heritage conservation, which will be crucial in post-war reconstruction. A sector in which Italy can boast excellence that is recognised by everybody. Italy, jointly with the other EU Member States, will do its utmost to protect the Ukrainian cultural ecosystem’ Ambassador Zazo concluded.
