On 8 July, as part of the European tour, the exhibition “Ukraine in Miniature” was opened in Jurmala (Latvia) at the Dzintari Hall. The project was presented by the USAID/ENGAGE activity, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact in Ukraine, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy. The opening was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Latvia Anatoliy Kutsevol.
The traveling exhibition “Ukraine in Miniature” is an interactive experience designed to highlight the value of Ukraine’s immovable cultural heritage in the European and global context and to encourage viewers to take action to protect it. The exhibition is a diplomatic tool that USAID/ENGAGE will use to advocate for the protection of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. The project aims not only to highlight the importance of Ukraine’s culture as part of the European and global context, but also to show the destruction caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Since the beginning of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, we have recognized their intent to destroy Ukrainian identity. By protecting Ukrainian culture, we are also safeguarding European culture. Ukraine is a vital part of Europe’s diverse cultural tapestry and is on the path to European integration. Today, Ukrainian citizens are working tirelessly to preserve their culture, documenting the crimes and destruction caused by Russia’s aggression. I am confident that the Ukrainian identity will endure and remain a part of Europe,” notes Roland Kovats, Chief of Party at USAID/ENGAGE
The exhibition features 29 3D models of Ukraine’s most famous architectural landmarks, scanned and printed by Skeiron. Additionally, there are 12 stands providing extra information about interesting historical architectural locations. The exposition is complemented by a VR tour, offering visitors an immersive experience to further explore the atmosphere of Ukraine’s iconic landmarks.
Especially for this project, 29 contemporary Ukrainian composers, sound designers, and artists have created unique musical compositions that allow you to not only see but also hear the voices of buildings and imagine soundscapes of historical landscapes.
Among the experts involved in the project is Anastasia Bondar, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalisation.
“The digitisation of cultural artefacts and historical monuments is important not only for preserving but also for promoting Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Modern technologies make it possible to create high-quality digital copies that can be accessed by a wide audience via the Internet. This helps not only to preserve and restore the originals in case of damage, but also to increase interest in studying the history and culture of our country. Digitised resources can be used in educational programmes, scientific research and virtual exhibitions, opening up new opportunities for interaction with cultural heritage,” said Anastasiia Bondar.
Next, the exhibition will be presented:
- 19 July – 20 July – Latvia, Positivus Festival (Lukavsala, Riga);
- 23 July – 4 August – France, Ukrainian Olympic Village (France);
- 7 August – 12 August – Hungary, Sziget Festival (Május 9 Park, Budapest);
- 7 September – 8 September – Germany, Superbloom Festival (Olympiapark, Munich).
