Donation Campaign “The Culture of Ukraine has no Means of Defence”

The Lithuanian donation campaign “The culture of Ukraine has no means of defence” mobilised public support to provide essential restoration materials for Ukrainian museums affected by war. This initiative fostered solidarity, international cooperation, and active heritage protection in times of crisis.

The donation campaign “The culture of Ukraine has no means of defence” was organised between November 2023 and February 2024 by the National Museum of Lithuania in collaboration with the Lithuanian Radio and Television, and the civic movement “Strong Together”. The initiative was strongly supported by the Lithuanian Museum Association, uniting 100 museums, and the Lithuanian National UNESCO Commission. The project’s Ukrainian partner, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, identified and prioritised the urgent needs for restoration materials and equipment to protect and restore Ukraine’s heritage threatened by the war.

Since 24 February 2022, the war in Ukraine has placed enormous pressure on the country’s cultural heritage sector. Many institutions have faced urgent threats, with collections at risk of damage, deterioration or loss. UNESCO has verified damage to 485 heritage sites since the offset of the war. Iconic sites have sustained significant destruction. The situation has underscored the urgent need for protective measures, restoration materials, and international solidarity.

Responding to this crisis, the Lithuanian public was encouraged to donate via a dedicated campaign. These public contributions funded nearly 200 units of essential materials and equipment, such as specialised chemicals, adhesives, microscopes, and ultrasonic cleaners, carefully selected in consultation with Ukrainian restoration specialists.

In February 2024, the purchased materials were successfully delivered to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, from where they were distributed across the country to museums and institutions in need. Since then, Ukrainian restorers have been actively working on stabilising and restoring hundreds of museum items. Among the conserved objects are archaeological finds, including weapons, household items, textiles, and manuscripts spanning from ancient to recent history.

A key innovation of this campaign was its emphasis on broad public engagement and solidarity. The initiative reached a multi-million audience through extensive coverage by outdoor campaigns, Lithuania’s national television, radio, and social media channels. Museums across Lithuania actively participated in promoting the campaign, greatly amplifying its visibility and impact.

Beyond immediate restoration, the initiative provided a significant opportunity for cultural exchange and professional dialogue between Lithuanian and Ukrainian heritage specialists. It fostered ongoing collaboration, strengthening professional networks and facilitating the transfer of knowledge and restoration methodologies.

The project underscored the importance of cultural heritage as a cornerstone of collective identity, particularly in times of conflict. It demonstrated how cultural institutions and civil society can come together effectively to respond to crises, setting a practical model of international cooperation and solidarity within Europe.

 

“This donation campaign offered citizens of Lithuania a direct and meaningful way to contribute to the safeguarding of cultural heritage in Ukraine. This initiative, led by the National Museum of History of Lithuania, serves as a replicable model of solidarity and rapid response to save heritage objects,” the Awards’ Jury stated.

Contact: Jurga Strimaitienė | National Museum of Lithuania | komunikacija@lnm.lt | www.lnm.lt