INSTITUTIONAL AND PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THREATS TO UKRAINE'S CULTURAL HERITAGE DURING THE WAR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62664/cpa.2025.02.10Keywords:
cultural heritage, institutional response, civil society, international partners, protection of cultural values, martial law, Ukraine.Abstract
The article examines the problem of preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage under martial law in the context of institutional and civic responses to threats to cultural assets. The protection of cultural values during armed conflicts is viewed as an integral part of national and international security, as the destruction of cultural monuments constitutes war crimes and endangers national identity. The paper analyzes the legal and managerial framework of state institutions in the field of heritage protection, including the Constitution of Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine «On the Protection of Cultural Heritage», the Civil Protection Code, the Law «On the Legal Regime of Martial Law», as well as international instruments such as the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1999 Second Protocol. The management role of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and local self-government bodies in shaping cultural protection policies is highlighted.
The study reveals mechanisms of civic participation provided by national legislation and international treaties, and it analyzes the activities of the Heritage Rescue HQ, the Heritage Emergency Response Initiative (HERI), the «Cultural Loss Map» platform, as well as examples of international support (UNESCO, ALIPH Foundation, ICOM, Blue Shield International). The article formulates recommendations for improving institutional and civic mechanisms of heritage protection, including digital documentation, expanding tools for public monitoring, and integrating Ukrainian practices into global cultural networks
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