Speakers from ICOM and ICOM Ukraine will join us for the first online ICOM UK – Heritage in Crisis event on Wed 9 Nov at 12:30 (UK time)

ICOM UK is delighted to announce the speakers for the first online ICOM UK – Heritage in Crisis event on Wednesday 9 November 2022, 12:30 – 13:30 (UK time).

Sophie Delepierre, Head of Heritage Protection at ICOM and Anastasiia Cherednychenko, vice-chair at ICOM Ukraine will speak about the role of ICOM Red Lists in combatting illicit trade in cultural artefacts.

They will consider how artefacts looted from Ukraine could easily turn up in the UK – perhaps on eBay, as goods seized by border police or by being offered to museums for acquisition. Being aware of what to look for and knowing when to alert the authorities is a vital step towards stopping this illegal trade and returning looted artefacts to rightful owners. They will also explore what is being done to support those whose professional development has been put on hold due to the war.

After short presentations by Sophie and Anastasiia, there will be a short discussion facilitated by Maria Blyzinksy (ICOM UK member/volunteer and independent curator, heritage consultant and writer) followed by time for questions from the online audience.

The series of talks is free to attend for ICOM UK and ICOM members, or you have the option to pay what you can via a donation ticket. For non-members, we ask you to pay what you can via a donation ticket. The suggested donation is £5 – £10 per event.

All donated income from the series (minus Eventbrite fees) will be donated to ICOM Poland’s fund to support Ukrainian museum professionals fleeing Ukraine.

This online talk is part of a series of on-line lunchtime discussions about the destruction of global cultural heritage and how heritage professionals can help.

The series consists of three talks that focus on the war in Ukraine where cultural heritage is under attack. Through case studies and knowledge-sharing, practical actions will be identified for heritage professionals to use in support of Ukraine. Learning from the situation in Ukraine may, in turn, prove useful for responding to future crises elsewhere.

This pilot series is being organised by ICOM UK in collaboration with cultural experts from the Ukrainian Institute London* and the Ukrainian Institute in Kyiv**.

* The Ukrainian Institute London is a centre for Ukraine-related educational and cultural activities. The Institute is a charity registered in England and Wales.

** The Ukrainian Institute in Kyiv is a separate organisation, which promotes and develops cultural ties between Ukraine and other countries.