Is It Possible to Reclaim Stolen Art? Ukrainian Museums Under Russian Occupation

On December 4, 2024, the event “Is It Possible to Reclaim Stolen Art? Ukrainian Museums Under Russian Occupation” took place in Kyiv. It was organized by the creative communications agency Linza Agency as part of the “Museum of Stolen Art” project, in collaboration with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Kyiv-Ukraine Office. The event brought together leading experts in the museum field and cultural activists to discuss urgent issues regarding the preservation and restitution of Ukraine’s cultural heritage, which continues to suffer irreparable losses due to Russia’s criminal actions.

“Decolonization as a Cultural Trend for Global Institutions”

During the first panel discussion, experts from the public sector and museum field shared insights on shaping perceptions of Ukrainian culture globally and on preserving and memorializing the cultural heritage that Russia has already destroyed or threatens to destroy.

Tetiana Filevska, Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute, discussed the implementation of decolonization practices, specifically the development of a decolonization handbook for global cultural institutions about Ukraine.

“The handbook is our first step toward raising the visibility of Ukrainian culture worldwide. It provides tools and knowledge to help international museums engage with our heritage. Alongside this document, we are creating a community of cultural advocates who will amplify Ukraine’s voice globally.”

Iryna Shum, Deputy Director of the Public Diplomacy and Communications Department of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described how MFA diplomats communicate about Ukrainian culture with partners and shared her extensive experience in building connections in Germany.

“We are creating a new discourse where Ukrainian culture takes its rightful place in global heritage. Our goal is to dismantle the Russian imperial narratives that have dominated museums for decades. This work is critical not only for Ukraine but also for a world seeking truth.”

Kateryna Kvashnytska, Coordinator of the Democracy Promotion Program at the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Kyiv Office, shared details about other decolonization projects supported by the foundation and the prospects of collaboration with academia to rethink Ukrainian heritage within the framework of colonial theory.

“Decolonization requires not just the efforts of state institutions but also active engagement from civil society. Through collaboration with Ukrainian organizations and international partners, we are gradually reshaping the global perception of Ukrainian culture. This is a complex process, but every step toward creating new narratives helps restore justice and amplify Ukraine’s voice worldwide.”

The discussion was moderated by Olena Zenchenko, Co-founder and Art Director of the Museum of Stolen Art.

“What Is Cultural Genocide, and Is It Possible to Restore or Hold Russia Accountable?”

The second panel focused on the possibilities of holding Russia accountable for the destruction and theft of cultural assets.

Milena Chorna, head of the NGO “Ukrainian Association of Museums,” presented the scale of losses to Ukraine’s cultural heritage due to Russian aggression. She noted:

“Horizontal connections among museum professionals became a lifeline for our heritage. In the early days of the full-scale war, we realized that each museum was left to face its challenges alone. Only through mutual support were we able to save parts of unique collections.”

Alina Dotsenko, Director of the Kherson Regional Art Museum named after Oleksii Shovkunenko, shared her experience managing the museum under occupation and described the lost exhibits:

“Masterpieces cut from their frames are vivid examples of war crimes against culture. The occupiers systematically destroyed and looted our museums, leaving only remnants behind. This is a reminder that every exhibit is not just an artifact but a symbol of our history.”

Halyna Chyzhyk, Executive Director of the Raphael Lemkin Society, analyzed the legal mechanisms for prosecuting genocide. She highlighted that while the term “cultural genocide” does not exist in legal terminology, crimes against cultural heritage serve as evidence for prosecuting genocide. She stressed the importance of documentation:

“Without thorough documentation, we risk losing evidence of our cultural treasures forever. Legal mechanisms for recovering stolen artifacts require precise data, which is often lacking due to the chaos of wartime. Documentation must become our primary tool for justice.”

The panel was moderated by Les Yakymchuk, Co-founder and Creative Lead of the Museum of Stolen Art.

Participants concluded that reclaiming stolen cultural assets requires the consolidated efforts of Ukrainian and international communities. Key recommendations included:

• Strengthening collaboration between the public sector and cultural institutions to address the theft and destruction of Ukrainian artifacts.
• Actively engaging the international community to support the process of reclaiming stolen artifacts from Russia.
• Enhancing informational campaigns about crimes against Ukraine’s cultural heritage.