Guardian · 373 days ago

Inside the Ghost Museums of Ukraine: Exhibits Replaced by Fragments of War and Occupation | Ukraine | the Guardian

In the shadow of war, Ukrainian museums stand as testament to both resilience and devastation, where echoes of history intertwine with contemporary conflict. The museum in Izium, once whole and storied, now resembles a ghost, with its collection hidden, its structure wounded, and its community diminished. Yet, amid the ruins, museum staff like Halyna Ivanova dedicate themselves to preserving memories and stories, whether through displays of war relics or the tragic tales of local heroes like the murdered children's writer, Volodymyr Vakulenko. These spaces have transformed into sanctuaries of memory, offering walking tours amidst shattered buildings and crafting exhibits from the detritus of invasion, such as Russian uniforms and outmoded medical supplies. "We are trying to preserve memories, to fix them," says Ivanova, as these museums, like the Sviatohirsk Lavra, shoulder the burden of remembering amidst the looming threat of reoccupation. The story reveals themes of enduring legacy, the fragility of culture in war, and the intrinsic human desire to remember even when survival is uncertain.