Ukraine Seeks UNESCO World Heritage Status for Its 20th-Century Monumental Art

Interagency Meeting Held at Ukraine’s Diplomatic Academy

According to МЗС: An interagency meeting took place at the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The gathering centered on a proposal to include Ukrainian monumental art from the second half of the 20th century in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Deputy Minister Maryana Betsa, who also chairs the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO, led the event.

Focus and Participants of the Roundtable

The discussion explored the global significance of Ukraine’s monumental art phenomenon. Organized as a roundtable, the session allowed attendees to deliberate on an initiative put forward by the Secretariat of Ukraine’s National Commission for UNESCO. Participants included representatives from:

• The Ministry of Culture
• The National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting
• The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
• The Kyiv City State Administration
• Law enforcement agencies
• The artistic community and expert circles

Maryana Betsa remarked that

“today, amid ongoing Russian aggression, monumental art faces an unprecedented threat. We have already lost some works due to Russian attacks, while others remain in temporarily occupied territories. This event aims to channel our joint efforts toward restoring Ukrainian monumental art to its rightful place-both within the national narrative and in the broader global cultural context.”

The meeting laid the groundwork for a more structured approach to preserving Ukraine’s monumental art from the latter half of the 20th century. It also set the stage for developing a cohesive policy to promote this cultural phenomenon both domestically and internationally.

The push to add Ukrainian monumental art to the UNESCO World Heritage List is a critical step in safeguarding the country’s cultural legacy, especially given current challenges. Protecting and raising awareness of these works will not only help ensure their survival but also highlight Ukraine’s unique cultural identity on the world stage. The involvement of multiple institutions underscores the state’s collective effort to preserve national identity and cultural heritage.

In light of these efforts to preserve cultural heritage, it's essential to consider how international support can further aid Ukraine. Recently, UNESCO's new emergency assistance program for Ukraine was approved, highlighting the organization's commitment to supporting the nation during these challenging times. This initiative not only underscores the importance of protecting Ukrainian art but also emphasizes the role of global cooperation in safeguarding cultural legacies.