The Russian invasion caused damage to the cultural heritage and cultural sector of Ukraine amounting to 2.4 billion euros, and the loss of income in the field of culture, arts and tourism s amounted to 13.9 billion euros, according to a report published on April 3. by UNESCO-United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. As of March 22, at least 248 cultural objects have been damaged or destroyed in Ukraine.
The organization’s director general, Audrey Azoulay, is in Ukraine for a two-day visit. She visited Kiev and Chernigov, on Tuesday she will go to Odessa. The historic center of Odessa was inscribed on the World Heritage List at the end of January, which should help protect cultural sites from Russian bombardments.
UNESCO publishes on a special page on the Internet a list of destructions in each city of Ukraine. According to France-Presse, Audrey Azoulay estimates the budget for the next restoration of cultural monuments at 6.4 billion euros.
Odessa is the seventh Ukrainian cultural site placed under the enhanced protection of UNESCO’s World Heritage List, according to French Radio International.
UNESCO, in particular, provided equipment for the digitization of nearly 1,000 works of art and the documentary fund of the Odessa State Archives. Equipment was also provided to protect buildings and outdoor works of art.
Six other sites, including the center of Chernihiv, damaged in the first months of the war, are on UNESCO’s “tentative” list. To inscribe these sites on the World Heritage List, the Ukrainian authorities must submit an application.
The destruction of cultural infrastructure mainly affects the regions of Kharkiv, Donetsk and Lugansk. They represent 60% of the recorded destruction.
The protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict is provided for in the 1954 Hague Convention. UNESCO experts are continuing their preliminary assessment of the damage caused by Russia to Ukraine’s cultural values.
To date, no site previously inscribed on the current UNESCO World Heritage List has been affected by the hostilities, underlines the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on its website. .
