International Program Launches to Safeguard Ukraine’s Cinematic Heritage

Introduction of a Global Initiative for Audiovisual Preservation

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: At the Lumière International Summit held in France, a groundbreaking global program was unveiled to protect cinematic and audiovisual heritage. Ukraine is among the first nations to benefit from this initiative, which focuses on preserving and restoring film collections. Beyond restoration, the program aims to improve storage conditions, enhance professional expertise, and broaden public access to these cultural treasures.

The cultural heritage protection organization ALIPH has committed an initial $500,000 to urgent projects within this framework. The initiative pays special attention to Ukraine and Syria, addressing threats such as armed conflict, climate change, and the natural deterioration of film materials. Funding is allocated for:

• Assessing the condition and safeguarding collections;
• Handling vulnerable media formats;
• Evaluating outdated material formats;
• Upgrading technical equipment;
• Training specialized professionals;
• Launching efforts to expand public access to these works.

Funding Commitment and Cultural Preservation Efforts

France has pledged to invest $1 million annually in the program over the next five years. Between 2027 and 2032, an additional $15 million is planned to support the initiative’s goals. With nearly a decade of experience, ALIPH has been instrumental in protecting cultural heritage endangered by war and environmental challenges through archive stabilization, documentation, digitization, equipping cultural institutions, and professional training.

The Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Center will also receive funding dedicated to preserving its film archives. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture, Tetiana Berezhna, emphasized:

“Safeguarding Ukraine’s cinematic heritage is essential to preserving our memory, cultural identity, and the testimony of our times. Due to ongoing Russian aggression, our collections face constant danger. This program provides crucial practical tools for their protection and restoration. I am grateful to our partners for making Ukraine one of the first countries to join this initiative.” – Tetiana Berezhna

This new international effort marks a significant advancement for cultural heritage preservation, offering Ukraine and other nations essential support during challenging times. The initiative underscores the importance of global cooperation in protecting cultural values and historical memory, especially amid armed conflicts.