A Milestone in Strengthening Bonds to Protect Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage

A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed today at the National Library of the Czech Republic to formalize a partnership between the National Library of the Czech Republic, the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Library Association. The agreement marks the transfer of Ark I – a mobile conservation unit designed to protect and restore Ukraine’s cultural heritage amid Russia’s war and ongoing occupation.

Scheduled for deployment by the end of this year, Ark I will focus on conserving Ukraine’s written heritage, including rare books, archival documents, and collections threatened by the war. This represents a significant achievement in collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors.

"This project marks another milestone in preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage and highlights the successful collaboration between private foundations, businesses, the public sector, and civil society. Our work will continue with Ark II and Ark III," said Luboš Veselý, Director of the Karel Komárek Family Foundation. Ark III will specifically focus on 3D scanning of cultural artifacts, expanding the project’s scope.

The signing ceremony was attended by Czech Minister of Culture Martin Baxa and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych, who underscored the importance of this collaboration in protecting Ukraine’s cultural assets.

The agreement was signed by Tomáš Foltýn, Director General of the National Library of the Czech Republic; Oleh Serbin, Director General of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine; and Oksana Bruy, Chair of the Ukrainian Library Association. The Ark project has been under the patronage of the Czech Ministry of Culture since its inception in late 2023.

"The Ministry of Culture has actively supported Ukraine from the onset of Russian aggression through various initiatives. Today’s signing of the donation agreement and memorandum marks a key milestone in our ongoing efforts to preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage. I am particularly proud of Ark I, a mobile conservation unit that will help protect invaluable cultural assets," said Minister Baxa. He also expressed gratitude to the donors, including MND, the Karel Komárek Family Foundation, Libor Winkler, and the National Library of the Czech Republic team, whose contributions made the project possible.

A Broader Vision for Long-Term Cooperation

The Memorandum of Cooperation goes beyond the immediate Ark project, laying the groundwork for long-term collaboration between Czech and Ukrainian institutions. It establishes a framework for the exchange of expertise, joint preservation initiatives, and the digitization of collections, broadening access to Ukraine’s cultural assets. Additionally, it allows Ukrainian specialists to participate in professional forums organized by the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Tomáš Foltýn added, "This memorandum formalizes activities that have been ongoing for over a year. One of the most notable outcomes was an online training program attended by over 270 Ukrainian professionals, which enhanced their conservation skills. Our cooperation is well-structured and continues to evolve with a clear vision for the future."

The Ark project strives to serve as a model for cultural preservation in other conflict zones around the world, showcasing the effectiveness of a cross-sector approach.

Further Developments

Following the signing ceremony, the Czech-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (UKRCHAM) convened to discuss Ark II, which focuses on the digitization of Ukraine’s written heritage. This initiative will contribute to long-term cultural preservation and education while helping integrate Ukraine’s cultural legacy into the broader European community. Ark III, led by the Karel Komárek Family Foundation, will concentrate on 3D scanning of historical artifacts, enabling mobile teams to capture detailed images across Ukraine.

More information about the Ark project can be found at: https://www.arkforukraine.org