- December 19, 2025
- 10:02 pm
- Ukraine
“In the context of the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, this initiative will strengthen Ukrainian archives and their ability to preserve and provide access to documentary heritage. The project will foster cooperation between researchers, artists, and journalists.”
UNESCO and the EU have launched an important project to preserve Jewish heritage in Ukraine. The initiative includes digitizing and restoring archival materials to help preserve the memory of Jewish culture.
On March 18, 2025, at the museum of the National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, the first UNESCO/EU project was presented – “Preserving Jewish Documentary Heritage in Ukraine, Honoring Collective Memory, Increasing Awareness and Access to Archives, and Promoting Intercultural Dialogue.”
As part of the UNESCO Information for All Programme (IFAP), chaired by National Council Chair Olha Herasymiuk, in 2024 the National Committee of the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme was established. The committee, led by Larysa Levchenko, director of the Central State Archive of Higher State Bodies and Administration, consists of 15 specialists in archival and cultural affairs.
The Importance of Preserving Jewish Heritage in Ukraine
In the 21st century, preserving cultural heritage has become one of the key tasks not only for individual countries but also for international organizations. One such significant project is the UNESCO and EU initiative to preserve Jewish documentary heritage in Ukraine, which started in 2025.
This project is of great importance not only for Jewish communities but also for all Ukrainians, as it helps preserve part of the cultural heritage tied to the history of our nation. A large portion of the descendants of Jewish families, whose history is intertwined with the history of the Ukrainian people, lives in Ukraine. This project is especially important for Jews living in Israel, as preserving these archives helps strengthen the connection to their roots.
The project was announced in Ukraine on January 28, 2025, during a visit by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. Under the auspices of UNESCO and with EU funding, the initiative covers Kyiv, Odessa, and Dnipro — cities where unique Jewish archives are stored.
Project Goals: Preservation and Digitization of Archives
Preserving Jewish documents is an essential part of cultural heritage, as these documents serve as the basis for research, scholarly work, and cultural initiatives. They contain many valuable historical facts reflecting the contributions of the Jewish community to Ukraine’s history, as well as providing evidence of tragedies experienced by the Jewish people at different times in history.
As part of the project, tens of thousands of documents stored in archives, libraries, and other memory institutions will be digitized. Digitization will not only preserve these materials for future generations but will also make them accessible to researchers, historians, and the general public.
Impact of Russian Aggression on Archival Preservation
The project is particularly relevant in light of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. The ongoing war puts many archives, libraries, and historical documents at risk. Bombings and infrastructure destruction have significantly complicated the preservation of these materials. Therefore, the UNESCO and EU initiative is an important step in preserving and restoring part of this heritage.
Mariana Beza, Deputy Minister of Culture and Head of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO, emphasized that this project is necessary to strengthen Ukrainian archives and enhance their ability to preserve documentary heritage. She also highlighted the importance of collaboration between researchers, artists, and journalists in spreading knowledge about the Jewish history of Ukraine.
Educational Role of the Project and Its International Significance
The project also includes an educational component. UNESCO will organize training for 50 Ukrainian cultural professionals who will engage in inventorying and preserving documents. This will allow Ukrainian archivists to improve their qualifications and expand their capacity to work with important historical materials.
Remy Duflot, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, noted that preserving cultural heritage is an investment in our shared future, and cultural diversity is fundamental to the cohesion of European nations.
Significance of the Project for Ukraine and Jews
This project is important not only for Ukraine but also for the Jewish community. Jewish culture has always been an integral part of Ukraine’s cultural landscape, and through preserving documentary heritage, we can better understand and honor this contribution.
The project is also significant for emigrants from Ukraine, especially Jews living in Israel. For them, preserving Jewish documents in Ukraine is an important step in preserving their history and connection to their homeland.
Prospects for the Development of Ukraine’s Archives
The UNESCO and EU project will allow Ukraine to develop its archives, improve their technical level, and provide better access to historical documents. New technologies and opportunities for preserving historical memory, particularly through digitization, are gradually emerging.
This will open up new opportunities for research and scholarly work. Multimedia events organized within the project will allow a broader audience to familiarize themselves with the history of the Jewish community in Ukraine.
Conclusion
The UNESCO and EU project to preserve Jewish documentary heritage in Ukraine is an important step in preserving the cultural heritage of an entire nation. Thanks to digitization and restoration of archives, these documents will become accessible to future generations. This will not only help preserve history but will also contribute to a better understanding of the cultural interaction between the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples.
For more information about the news of Israel and current projects, such as the project to preserve Jewish documentation, visit the NAnews website – news from Israel.
