At a thousand-year-old Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Kyiv, Ukraine, a 17th-century Cossack military commander painting on an easel still stands. This iconic piece of work has lived through history, from the sacking of Mongols to domination by the Soviets. It symbolizes something new while Russia bombards Ukraine: An image of a culture that won’t give up.
So why do the Ukrainians care about a mere painting? It’s all about cultural identity. “The true culture war of our age is the war for democracy, and Ukrainian culture, past and present, has become a vital line of defense for the whole liberal order.” The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused chaos in the country itself. The theatres, libraries, and religious buildings are in rubbles. Statues everywhere are covered with flame-retardant blankets and artworks are transported to be hidden away in other countries for protection.
Lviv is one of the main places that has become a hub for displaced cultures. A worker named Viktoriya Sadova at the memorial museum in Lonsky Prison has been collaborating with many other museums in the country to transport collections to safer locations. The imperial war has also alerted citizens that “preservation is everyone’s job, and new creations are rooted in history the enemy would deny.” As a result, artists are fighting to preserve culture. From film archivists learning to be experts about explosions to librarians digitizing Soviet-era photographs to Heritage authorities using 3D technology to trace monuments, everyone plays a vital role during this time of war.
Fortunately, when Russian forces decided to withdraw in April, cultural life in Ukraine gradually resumed. There are operas with nationalist chorists, buskers singing a folk-rap mash-up, and designers on the streets with patriotic-style clothing. These fine arts depict a symbol of bravery as well as unity. The Ukrainians unite to stay defiant throughout the war and to keep their democratic dreams alive. Ukraine’s culture will forever be a crucial part of Ukrainians’ identity, and despite these difficult times of war against Russia, Ukraine will continue to stand strong.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/photos/dance-food-and-festivals-things-you-should-know-about-the-ukrainian-culture-457186
So why do the Ukrainians care about a mere painting? It’s all about cultural identity. “The true culture war of our age is the war for democracy, and Ukrainian culture, past and present, has become a vital line of defense for the whole liberal order.” The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused chaos in the country itself. The theatres, libraries, and religious buildings are in rubbles. Statues everywhere are covered with flame-retardant blankets and artworks are transported to be hidden away in other countries for protection.
Lviv is one of the main places that has become a hub for displaced cultures. A worker named Viktoriya Sadova at the memorial museum in Lonsky Prison has been collaborating with many other museums in the country to transport collections to safer locations. The imperial war has also alerted citizens that “preservation is everyone’s job, and new creations are rooted in history the enemy would deny.” As a result, artists are fighting to preserve culture. From film archivists learning to be experts about explosions to librarians digitizing Soviet-era photographs to Heritage authorities using 3D technology to trace monuments, everyone plays a vital role during this time of war.
Fortunately, when Russian forces decided to withdraw in April, cultural life in Ukraine gradually resumed. There are operas with nationalist chorists, buskers singing a folk-rap mash-up, and designers on the streets with patriotic-style clothing. These fine arts depict a symbol of bravery as well as unity. The Ukrainians unite to stay defiant throughout the war and to keep their democratic dreams alive. Ukraine’s culture will forever be a crucial part of Ukrainians’ identity, and despite these difficult times of war against Russia, Ukraine will continue to stand strong.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/photos/dance-food-and-festivals-things-you-should-know-about-the-ukrainian-culture-457186
