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Denmark Donates $1.37 Million to Protect Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage From War Destruction
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Denmark has committed around $1.37 million to support Ukraine’s efforts in preserving and restoring its cultural heritage, which has been severely damaged by the ongoing war Russian invasion.
The announcement came as Denmark hosted an informal ministerial meeting on November 3, attended by European Ministers of Culture and representatives from Ukraine. The meeting is intended to encourage other nations to follow Denmark’s example in supporting Ukraine’s cultural recovery.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, over 500 cultural sites across the country have been destroyed due to Russian attacks, according to UNESCO. In response, the funds will be channeled through the newly established Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund (UCHF), which will focus on the restoration of Ukrainian buildings, monuments, and museums destroyed or damaged by Russian attacks.
“I am proud that Denmark is once again taking the lead by contributing to the reconstruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Cultural heritage plays a vital role in the Ukrainian people’s national identity and sense of self,” said Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Denmark’s Minister for Culture. “I sincerely hope that my European colleagues will follow suit, because the war in Ukraine is not only fought on the battlefield — it is also about the Ukrainian people’s right to preserve their culture, their language, and their connection to the values and places that define their nation.”
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture, Tetyana Berezhna, thanked Denmark for its support and outlined the ongoing destruction of Ukraine's cultural landmarks.
“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. This represents one of the most extensive cases of cultural devastation in Europe since the Second World War,” Berezhna said.
She further emphasized the significance of the UCHF, which will unite governments, international organizations, and experts to not only preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage but also support the sustainable development of culture as a core component of Ukraine’s identity and resilience.
Earlier, Kyiv was officially named a UNESCO City of Music, becoming part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. This recognition acknowledges the city's deep musical history and its vibrant contemporary creative scene.
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