MinCult discusses development of Jewish culture in Ukraine with U.S. reps

Rostyslav Karandeev with representatives of the Jewish community from the USA. Photo: mcip.gov.ua

On June 19, 2024, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine (MCIP) hosted a meeting with Acting Minister of Culture Rostyslav Karandeev and representatives of the Jewish community from the United States of America.

The main topics of discussion included the prospects for developing Jewish culture in Ukraine and cooperation in protecting cultural heritage from Russian aggression, according to the MCIP press service.

"Jewish cultural and historical heritage is an integral and organic part of Ukraine's historical legacy. Our nations have a millennia-long tradition of coexistence and cultural exchange," said Karandeev.

He emphasized that "today, due to Russian aggression, all landmarks in our country suffer, regardless of ethnic and cultural identity."

"It is important to protect all this heritage. It is crucial to preserve it for our descendants. Therefore, Ukrainians and Jews in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine defend Ukrainian lands together against the enemy," Karandeev stated.

The ministry reminded that many cities in Ukraine still preserve Jewish cemeteries, synagogues, and sites sacred to Jewish history. Many of these are designated as cultural heritage monuments and are under state protection.

One of the central memorial sites is Babi Yar in Kyiv, which holds reserve status. Also significant are the pilgrimage sites of the Jewish people in Uman, Medzhybizh, Belz, and other cities.

During the meeting, special attention was given to the protection of the tomb of Tzadik Nachman, located in communal ownership of the Uman City Council. This site is listed in the State Register of Immovable Monuments of Ukraine and is a monument of local historical significance within the territory of the State Historical and Architectural Reserve "Old Uman."

MCIP highlighted that the basis for cooperation and dialogue in preserving Jewish cultural heritage is the Ukrainian Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage and the 1994 agreement between the governments of the United States and Ukraine "On Protection and Preservation of Cultural and Natural Heritage."

Previously, the UOJ reported that within the first six months of Russia's war against Ukraine, according to DESS data, 205 religious buildings were damaged. Of these, 5 were mosques, 5 were Jewish, and the remaining 195 were Christian.

Among the 195 damaged Christian structures, 68% (132 objects) belonged to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 29 Christian churches and buildings to Protestant communities, 20 to the UOC-KP, four to the Roman Catholic Church, three to the UGCC, and seven to Jehovah's Witnesses communities.

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