The impact of the Russian invasion on cultural heritage in Ukraine has resulted in severe damage to 1,599 sites considered relevant due to their historical and artistic value, according to official estimates from the Ministry of Culture. In view of this situation, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a contribution of 500,000 euros to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund with the aim of contributing to the protection and restoration of the affected cultural assets. The official media explained that the fund, created by the Alliance for Cultural Resilience, brings together several European countries – including Spain – and aims to coordinate both financial assistance and technical support to Ukraine in the face of the consequences of the armed conflict.
According to the disclosed information, the main goal of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund is to promote the protection, restoration and rehabilitation of damaged elements of cultural heritage. Established priorities include promoting innovation in restoration processes, as well as training professionals and promoting the exchange of best practices and technical knowledge between partner countries. According to the government, the cultural dimension of the conflict goes beyond material damage and impacts social cohesion and the peace process, in which cultural expressions play a key role.
The official statement highlighted that the Ministry of Culture, led by Ernest Urtasun, has joined the initiative to protect and rebuild Ukraine’s cultural sector. The aim of this participation is to accompany international efforts and provide resources and experience to counteract the destruction caused since the beginning of the Russian invasion. According to the government source, Spanish policy aims not only to protect monuments and works of art, but also to support the creation of a European cooperation network on cultural heritage issues.
The push to rebuild and protect cultural heritage is not an isolated case, as there have been other contributions from the Spanish cultural sector to Ukraine in recent years. This was reported by official media and reported that the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) made a voluntary contribution of 300,000 euros to the European Solidarity Fund for Ukrainian Cinema in 2024. This collaboration was carried out by the National Center for Cinema and Animated Images (CNC), a French organization specializing in cinema, and reflected the desire to support Ukrainian audiovisual creation affected by the ongoing conflict.
By 2025, the Ministry of Culture predicts that the fund earmarked for Ukrainian audiovisual support will amount to 100,000 euros, the same source said. The aim is to maintain creative activities and facilitate the preservation of Ukrainian cinema in the context of emergency and reconstruction. This type of donations is part of the strategy to support culture as an essential element for social and symbolic reconstruction after the damage suffered by the war.
The Spanish government explained in its statement that the Alliance for Cultural Resilience, which includes the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund, represents a cooperation mechanism aimed at optimizing resources, avoiding duplication and strengthening the responsiveness of European countries to crisis situations affecting world heritage. The official media emphasized that Spain’s participation in this initiative strengthens its international presence in the cultural field and expresses active solidarity with Ukraine.
The decision to donate 500,000 euros to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund complements a series of actions previously carried out by the Spanish Ministry of Culture that focus on protecting Ukrainian cultural heritage. The support offered is aimed both at restoring buildings and monuments classified as cultural heritage and at strengthening the professionals and specialists responsible for carrying out the restoration and conservation processes. As stated in the statement, knowledge exchange, technical training and transnational cooperation are among the medium-term objectives of Spain’s cultural policy towards Ukraine.
The Ukrainian cultural sector, hit hard by the Russian invasion, faces challenges in rebuilding and preserving its heritage. The financial and professional support through collaboration with European partners and in particular through the Spanish initiative aims to facilitate access to technology, materials and training essential for the restoration and protection of emblematic works and historical sites of local and international importance. According to government sources, the international support aims to strengthen cultural resilience in Ukraine and support joint efforts to protect common European heritage.
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