Copenhagen Launches Support for New Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund
Denmark has announced that it will allocate €1.3 million to support the restoration of Ukrainian cultural heritage destroyed as a result of Russian aggression.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to a press release of the Danish Presidency.
The donation was made during an informal meeting of EU and Ukrainian culture ministers held on November 3 in Denmark.
Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt emphasized that cultural heritage is the foundation of Ukrainian identity and self-awareness, and Denmark is committed to playing a leading role in its restoration.
“We have a vital task ahead of us: on the one hand, to make it clear across Europe that culture and free, independent media are not luxuries - they are weapons in the defense of European democracy. On the other hand, to address how we can best help rebuild Ukraine’s cultural heritage, shattered by Russian bombs,” said Engel-Schmidt.
The funds are expected to go to the newly created Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund and will be used to restore historic buildings, monuments, and museums damaged by Russian shelling.
”The Russian Federation is deliberately targeting and destroying Ukrainian culture and its symbols. To date, 1,612 immovable cultural heritage sites have been damaged, including 27 that have been completely destroyed,” noted Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy — Minister of Culture of Ukraine, Tetyana Berezhna.
She added that this marks one of the largest instances of cultural destruction in Europe since World War II.
The initiative aims not only to support Ukraine but also to inspire other European countries to join in protecting its cultural heritage.
The funding will be provided as part of civil aid to Ukraine and requires final approval by the Danish Parliament.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the European Union has announced a new €7 million package to support four major cultural projects in Ukraine as part of its flagship “Creative Europe” program.