When cultural heritage becomes collateral damage in war

Dozens of churches, historical sites and museums have been damaged by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The destruction is a reminder that, despite enjoying protection under international law, cultural institutions – like civilian populations – can suffer significant losses in a war.

On the vast expanses of a nature park in canton Vaud, a group of young people and members of the civil protection service hover over a collection of objects that are visibly charred. They carefully move, inspect, photograph and classify the items one by one.

The group are taking part in a training exercise in rescuing artefacts organised by the conservation and restorationExternal link programme of the Arc technical college (HE-Arc). In all, 13 students are learning what to do if disaster strikes in a museum, a library or a building housing archives. This involves work such as separating items that are destroyed beyond repair from those that should be kept for future restoration.

The impact on Ukraine

This type of exercise usually takes place every two years. But on this early spring day, it is happening in a particular context: everyone is thinking about the war in Ukraine, where heritage sites are at risk of serious damage.

The Ukrainian government has done what it can to protect the country’s heritage. Art collections have been stored in safe places. Buildings and items that cannot be moved have been covered with whatever resources are available, including sandbags, tarpaulins, foam and fire-retardant materials.

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