The main cultural assets of Ukraine

Due to its geopolitical position on the map, regionally belonging to different natural and geographical spaces (intersections of the West and the East), Ukraine has become in the sphere of the influence of three major cultural and historical centres. During centuries our country has become a point of direct contact with the Western European, Balkan and Asian worlds. Nowadays, representatives of 128 nationalities and ethnic groups live in Ukraine. The whole history of these peoples, their spiritual and material life are closely connected with the Ukrainian nation, land, geography and enriched national culture and consciousness. Therefore, Ukrainian culture is one of the world's national cultures. It is manifested in the worldview of Ukrainians, national consciousness and attitude, comprehension and enrichment of life, in ethical orientations, religious beliefs, legal norms, tastes and preferences, scientific and artistic achievements, mythological and artistic images, as well as logical concepts, enshrined in the national language.

Overcoming its long-lasting isolation, the Ukrainian culture continues to be discovered in the world, replenishes its presence in the European cultural space. The Ukrainians demonstrate their cultural-creative productivity, seek to increase their contribution to the cultural and civilizational progress of humanity. However, Ukraine is facing a substantial challenge in this regard trying to ensure effective monitoring of the state of preservation of a part of the national cultural heritage situated on the Crimean Peninsula. As of 1 January 2014, there were 14 000 cultural monuments of Ukraine, 54 museums, and 300 000 museum exhibits.

The legal framework on cultural heritage conservation

Protective approach to cultural heritage sites is one of the criteria for maturity and development of the society as well as awareness raising of the Ukrainian nation. Also, the conservation of cultural heritage, as one of the main factors of Ukrainian national identity and integral component of the world's cultural heritage, is a responsibility of the Ukrainian state and public towards future generations. The continuity of Ukraine's historical development in a pan-European context can be provided only through conservation of the historical memory of generations. And the cultural heritage of the nation is exactly the past, which is molding the future.

The Government’s efforts in the sphere of cultural heritage protection are endorsed by a wide legal framework. As well Ukraine is a party to large number of important international conventions and recommendations on this issue.

The cultural and natural sites on the World Heritage List

Due to complexity of the historical development of Ukraine there is rather a limited presentation of Ukrainian cultural shrines on the UNESCO World Heritage List and some more are on the Tentative List. There are 7 cultural and natural sites listed in this registry, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Saint Sofia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings (since 1990), the Ensemble of the Historical Center of city of Lviv (since 1998), Struve Geodetic Arc (since 2005), Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans - nowadays Chernivtsi Yuriy Fedkovych National University (since 2011), the Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora (since 2013), the Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Ukraine and Poland (since 2013) and the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians (since 2011).

In regard to intangible heritage, there are three elements on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

• the Ukrainian decorative and ornamental painting - the Petrikivka painting (since 2013) as a phenomenon of the Ukrainian ornamental folk art;
• the Cossack Songs of Dnipropetrivsk Region or “Cossack Songs” – a phenomenon of performance of steppe songs (Ukrainian Cossack songs) in the relevant region of Ukraine is included in 2016 into the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding;
• the tradition of Kosiv painted ceramics (inscribed in 2019), which include dishes, ceremonial items, toys and tiles – arose in the 18th century. The main feature of Kosiv ceramics is the figurative design of the ornament.

Ukraine is a Member State of ICCROM since 15/01/2016

Mandates in ICCROM Council since 1958:

ICCROM Staff since 1959: - None -

Governmental Cultural Institutions

• Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine
  
• National Scientific and Research Restoration Center of Ukraine
  
• Ukrainian Center for Museums Development "Museum Prostir"
  
• Ukrainian National Commission for UNESCO
  

Museums and Cultural Heritage Institutions

• National Kyiv-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve
  
• National Conservation Area "St. Sophia of Kyiv"
  
• National Architectural and Historical Reserve "Chernihiv Ancient"
  
• National Memorial Complex to the Heavenly Hundred Heroes and Revolution of Dignity Museum
  
• National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide
  
• Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora
  
• L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre
  
• The Bakhchisaray Palace of the Crimean Khans is a compact architectural ensemble
  
• Architectural Complex "Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans"
  

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