Preserving Cultural Heritage During Wartime: Karazin University Initiates Off-Site Meeting of the Relevant Verkhovna Rada Committee

On 17 October 2026, Karazin University welcomed Members of Parliament of Ukraine representing the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy. The visit was initiated by the University to discuss current challenges related to the preservation and development of museum institutions in frontline areas amid the full-scale war.

Karazin University pays particular attention to preserving Ukraine’s national cultural, historical, and scientific heritage. The University is home to a unique museum complex comprising the Museum of Nature, the Museum of Archaeology and the University History Museum. The Central Scientific Library also plays an important role in preserving intellectual heritage, with collections of exceptional scientific, historical and cultural value.

Recognising the particular challenges faced by cultural institutions and museums under the constant threat of war, Karazin University has taken the initiative to develop a dedicated state support mechanism for such institutions in frontline areas. This primarily involves the need to review existing funding approaches, taking into account security risks, the requirements for the proper preservation of unique collections, and the need to ensure the continuity of institutional operations.

To draw attention to these issues and explore possible solutions, the University initiated an off-site meeting of the relevant Verkhovna Rada Committee.

During the visit, the Members of Parliament learned about the work of the museum complex and the Central Scientific Library, discussed the current state of preservation of the University’s collections, examined challenges facing museum institutions, and considered possible mechanisms for supporting them at the state level.

For Kharkiv, a frontline city, preserving cultural heritage is not merely a matter of developing museum institutions but also an essential part of safeguarding national memory, history and Ukrainian identity. Every preserved collection, historical artefact and scientific archive forms part of our shared heritage, which we must pass on to future generations.

Karazin University hopes that the dialogue initiated and the joint efforts with Members of Parliament of Ukraine will lay the groundwork for effective government decisions that will not only preserve unique cultural and scientific assets but also ensure the continued development of museum institutions in frontline areas.

Preserving Ukraine’s cultural memory is our shared responsibility, and only by joining forces can we safeguard its future.