Ostapenko complains that the Reserve has no money to maintain Lower Lavra

Ostapenko urged Ukrainians to look at the Lower Lavra "with new eyes". Photo: Gordon

Maksym Ostapenko, acting head of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve, said in an interview with Radio Liberty that after the expulsion of the UOC from the Lower Lavra it should be maintained by Ukrainians themselves.

Ostapenko said that funding for the Reserve in war conditions is "extremely limited" and that when it is given the Lower Lavra, its territory and the number of sites will be doubled. This will require additional funding and the Ministry of Culture is now working on this.

According to him, funding is "a very important issue and should be studied in conditions of war". The acting director admits that "for some projects, for interesting locations, it is possible to attract sponsorship, to attract additional projects”.

Ostapenko urged Ukrainians to be conscious and reminded that the Lavra is the property of all people and, therefore, it must be maintained by everyone: "We do not rely only on budget component; we want society to understand that responsibility for the Lavra is not only state responsibility; it can be a contribution of each person".

The official urged Kyivans not to stay away and support the Reserve financially with their visit: "I invite all Kyiv residents to look at the Lavra with different eyes. Now the Lavra is opening, it is in the best spring condition, so we invite everyone. There is a lot to look at and talk about".

Earlier Ostapenko said the relics should not be just objects lying in the storerooms.

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