In a landmark move to preserve the historical and cultural legacy of Jewish communities in Ukraine, UNESCO has unveiled a new initiative aimed at protecting and promoting the nation’s rich documentary heritage.
This two-year programme, backed by a €2.2 million grant from the European Union, seeks to digitise and safeguard at-risk archival materials while bolstering the capacity of memory institutions across the country.
The war in Ukraine has taken a significant toll on the country’s cultural heritage, exacerbating existing challenges in managing and preserving historical records. Many archives and memory institutions remain underfunded and at risk, facing shortages of skilled personnel, a lack of emergency preparedness measures, and minimal risk management plans. This initiative seeks to remedy these issues by supporting at least ten memory institutions, digitising vulnerable records, and training over 50 cultural professionals in preservation techniques.
UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, made the announcement in Lviv during her visit to Ukraine in January, following her participation in the 80th anniversary commemorations of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Stressing the importance of preserving Jewish heritage in Ukraine, Azoulay remarked, “Ukraine has a very important Jewish heritage, which is also threatened by the war and must be protected. Thanks to the European Union, UNESCO will contribute to advancing historical research and preserving the archives of Jewish culture in all regions of the country.”
Rémi Duflot, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the broader significance of heritage conservation for European unity. “Protecting Ukraine’s vast and diverse heritage is not just about conserving the past; it is first and foremost an investment in our joint future. Diversity is a defining trait of our continent. Respect for that diversity, and inclusiveness, are key for our cohesion and unity. They are what bring us together, allow us to live, to work, and to create together, by acknowledging and making the best use of our differences,” he stated.
The initiative extends beyond document preservation. It will foster collaboration among researchers, artists, and journalists to amplify the historical and cultural narratives of Jewish communities in Ukraine. Scholars will receive support to conduct studies on Jewish heritage, while journalists will be provided with resources to utilise archival materials for investigative and educational media projects.
Additionally, artists will be granted funding to creatively interpret Jewish cultural heritage through visual arts, film, literature, and music. These efforts will culminate in public events and multimedia projects designed to engage wider audiences and deepen public understanding of Jewish history in Ukraine.
UNESCO has already taken steps to protect Jewish heritage in Ukraine. In December 2024, the organisation granted Babi Yar, the site of one of the largest massacres of the ‘Holocaust by bullets,’ temporary enhanced protection under the 1954 Hague Convention. This follows its 2023 inscription on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, marking its significance in global history.
The protection and promotion of Jewish documentary heritage in Ukraine is not merely an academic exercise; it is a moral imperative in the face of war and historical erasure. By strengthening Ukraine’s archival institutions and enhancing accessibility to documentary heritage, UNESCO’s initiative ensures that future generations will have access to vital records that tell the story of Jewish life, culture, and contributions in Ukraine. In a time of uncertainty, such an effort stands as a testament to the resilience of cultural heritage and its power to unite, educate, and inspire.
Main Image: https://babynyar.org/en/via Wikipedia
