Kyiv Curator Uses VR to Preserve Ukrainian Heritage Amidst Ongoing Conflict

A Kyiv-based curator is utilizing virtual reality technology to digitally preserve Ukrainian monuments, including those in Russian-occupied territories, as a defiant act of cultural preservation during the ongoing war.

Lina Romanukha, a curator and artist, launched an exhibition at Kyiv’s Pechersk Lavra monastery that allows visitors to experience reconstructed historical sites through VR, such as the ancient Greek city of Chersonesus in Sevastopol, the Khan Palace in Bakhchysarai, and the Mariupol drama theater – the latter tragically bombed in 2022. The project pairs these virtual tours with music from Ukrainian composers. “These monuments are part of European civilization,” Romanukha stated. “If they are erased, Europe loses them too.”

Romanukha, who returned to Kyiv after initially fleeing to western Ukraine in February 2022, describes living under constant drone attacks as “Russian roulette,” yet remains committed to her work. She believes showcasing Ukraine’s cultural heritage is a way to assert its identity and connection to Europe, particularly as Russia continues its occupation of Ukrainian land. This initiative comes as concerns grow regarding the deliberate destruction of Ukrainian cultural sites, a tactic often employed during armed conflicts to erase a nation’s history and identity – a practice condemned by UNESCO.

Despite the challenges, Romanukha identifies as a “blind optimist,” hoping for a Ukraine restored to its 1991 borders with support from the European Union and the international community. Her work builds on a long tradition of using art as resistance, as explored in this Smithsonian Magazine article on Ukrainian artistic resistance.

Officials say the exhibition will continue to run indefinitely, with plans to expand the virtual collection to include more sites and further amplify Ukraine’s cultural narrative on the international stage.