Save the Ukrainian People First: They Carry their Culture in their Hearts

This editorial condemns the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting it as a war crime under international law, particularly the 1954 Hague Convention, which protects cultural heritage during armed conflict. It emphasizes that the destruction of Ukrainian cultural sites, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, is not only a violation of global agreements but also a threat to humanity's shared cultural legacy. The piece calls for immediate action from the international museum community to prioritize the safety of Ukrainian culture workers, who embody living heritage, over material artifacts. It urges museums worldwide to provide safe harbor, technical support, and humanitarian aid to displaced colleagues while documenting war crimes for potential prosecution. The editorial also reflects on historical precedents, such as the destruction of Palmyra, and stresses the ethical responsibility of museum professionals to act as 'Monuments People,' safeguarding cultural memory against state-sponsored violence.

Coleman, L.-E. S., Fraser, J., & Doering, Z. D. (2022). Save the Ukrainian People First: They Carry their Culture in their Hearts. Curator: The Museum Journal, 65(S1), 5–14. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/cura.12482