Another milestone has been reached with the Ukrainian translation of Supporting Decolonisation in Museums: Focus on Ukraine. The Ukrainian language version was launched at a hybrid event in Kyiv on 18 June, when cultural heritage professionals based in Ukraine were joined online by ICOM UK trustee Maria Blyzinsky, and Chief Executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens Gordon Seabright. The Horniman has been a huge advocate for the Guide and Gordon shared insights into why it resonates with the museum.
The event took place in a beautiful gilded and painted hall within the National Preserve ‘Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’ (Monastery of Caves), a religious complex and UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 11th century. The location was particularly poignant because, just three days earlier, it had been targeted in a Russian missile and drone attack which caused a fire and severe damage to many historic buildings. This is one of Ukraine’s most significant cultural and religious sites and it is protected under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Despite the damage, the event was still able to go ahead, with in-person participants taking part in a decolonisation workshop during the afternoon.
We are delighted that interest in the Guide continues to grow. You can read a recent review by Stuart Frost, Head of Interpretation at the British Museum, in Museum and Society, link here. On 15 September, Maria Blyzinsky and colleagues from the project partners will be speaking about the impact of the Guide at a V&A conference – Ukrainian Cultural Heritage and UK Institutions: Shifting Perspectives and Practice. Information about the event and how to attend can be found on the V&A website, link here.
Meanwhile, our project is entering its final phase. We are in the process of recruiting a new member of the team to host workshops about the Guide for museums, galleries, archives and other cultural heritage organisations. Do keep an eye on the ICOM UK newsletter, website and social media for further announcements about how to take part. We also welcome requests from anyone who would like to organise a workshop for staff and volunteers at their own organisation. Please drop a line to our trustee, Maria Blyzinsky, at Maria@icomuk.org.
As always, we would like to thank our project partners for helping to make this happen: the Ukrainian Institute, ICOM Ukraine, the Museums Association with support from the British Council. Both the English and Ukrainian versions of the Guide are free to download from the project partners’ websites – including ICOM UK, link here.
The final word goes to Antonio Rodriguez, ICOM President, who said: ‘Effective partnerships between ICOM bodies have always been something I deeply value, especially when they are amplified through strategic alliances with organisations like the Ukrainian Institute, the Museums Association and the British Council. You are setting a wonderful example of what our global museum community can achieve when working together. Thank you for your leadership in support of Ukraine’.
Maria Blyzinsky, Trustee and former Co-chair of ICOM UK
15 July 2026
