The National Museum of the History of Ukraine was participating in the UKRAINIAN CULTURE SECURITY FORUM 2.0, which took place in Warsaw on 7–8 May. The event was organized by the OBMIN Foundation in cooperation with Ukrainian, Polish, and German governmental and non-governmental institutions. More than 160 museum professionals, cultural heritage experts, and policymakers from seven countries have gathered at the Embassy of Germany in Warsaw to rethink the role of culture in the context of Russia’s hybrid war and to explore more deeply the interconnections between culture and security.

The National Museum of the History of Ukraine was represented by General Director Olena Zemliana and the Head of the «Treasury» branch of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, Nataliia Panchenko.

On 7 May, Olena Zemliana, together with colleagues from Sweden, Poland, and Bosnia, took part in the panel discussion «Fake Past, Stolen Future? Disinformation, Culture as a Weapon, and the Struggle for Truth». The General Director of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine shared her experience of organizing the museum’s work during wartime and explained how museum projects have become an effective tool for countering fake information and responding to society’s demand for historical truth.

The participants also discussed how to protect culture from being weaponized and how to counter disinformation used by Russia to distort history and destroy Ukrainian culture and identity.

The panel discussions at the forum, as well as conversations during breaks and offers of assistance in the restoration of objects from the collection of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, represent important support for the museum team.

The UKRAINIAN CULTURE SECURITY FORUM 2.0 highlights the European community’s concern about threats to Ukrainian culture during the Russian–Ukrainian war and its commitment to finding joint and effective solutions.

We sincerely thank the OBMIN Foundation and all organizers of the Forum for their support of Ukrainian cultural institutions.

Photo: OBMIN, Nataliia Panchenko, National Museum of the History of Ukraine.