UNESCO Champions the Digital Preservation of the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Center’s Audiovisual Archives

Transforming Ukraine’s Audiovisual Heritage through Digitization

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Supported by UNESCO at the request of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture, the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Center is advancing a vital project to digitize its vast collection of audiovisual materials. As the largest film archive in Ukraine, it safeguards over 7,300 titles encompassing feature films, documentaries, animations from both Ukraine and abroad, alongside thousands of archival documents chronicling the country’s cinematic history. This initiative aims to preserve, protect, and broaden public access to Ukraine’s rich audiovisual legacy.

Driving this effort is Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture, Tetiana Berezhna. An engineering expert from UNESCO has already inspected the Dovzhenko Center’s facilities, providing initial recommendations to improve storage conditions and safeguard the collections. As part of the program, UNESCO is procuring specialized IT equipment and digital storage solutions to ensure the reliable preservation of these valuable assets.

Protecting Documentary Treasures Amid Conflict

Funded by the European Union, this project also focuses on preserving Ukraine’s documentary heritage related to Jewish history and culture. Established in 1994 on the grounds of a former Ukrainian film copying factory, the Dovzhenko Center consolidates several key institutions:

• The Film Fund
• Ukraine’s sole film copying laboratory
• The Cinema Museum
• The Scientific Film Archive
• A media library and publishing house

Given the ongoing full-scale war and the threat posed by Russian attacks, safeguarding the Center’s collection has become critical. Minister Berezhna emphasized the significance of UNESCO’s involvement, stating:

“UNESCO’s support is a crucial practical measure that will enhance the Center’s capabilities and establish the necessary conditions for handling these precious materials. However, the Center’s needs extend beyond this, so we continue collaborating with international partners to secure comprehensive modernization.”

Chiara Dezi Bardeschi, UNESCO’s representative, added: “We began by assessing the urgent needs of the Dovzhenko Center and are actively providing specialized equipment to strengthen its digital preservation and management capacities. This effort forms part of UNESCO’s broader commitment, alongside our partners, to protect Ukraine’s cultural heritage and ensure its accessibility for future generations.”

UNESCO and the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture remain closely coordinated to identify further priorities for supporting the Center, highlighting the critical role of cultural preservation in Ukraine’s resilience.

In the context of the ongoing conflict, UNESCO’s backing is not only vital for preserving Ukraine’s cinematic heritage but also for sustaining the nation’s cultural identity. Digitizing the Dovzhenko Center’s archives will safeguard historical materials that are at risk of being lost due to the war. This project illustrates the power of international cultural cooperation as a pillar of support for Ukraine during these challenging times.

In addition to the ongoing digitization efforts, a new international initiative has been launched to protect Ukraine's cinematic heritage. This program aims to address the urgent need for safeguarding valuable film assets amidst the current conflict. To learn more about the comprehensive measures being taken to preserve Ukraine's film legacy, visit this detailed report.