International Museum Day is celebrated annually on May 18. It was established in 1977 at the initiative of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to highlight the important role of museums in the development of society, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the shaping of historical memory. Each year, ICOM selects a specific theme that highlights current challenges facing the museum sector—from digitization to heritage preservation in times of crisis and conflict.
Museums are not only repositories of unique artifacts but also spaces for reflecting on the past, fostering dialogue between generations, and serving as sources of knowledge about cultural, national, and world history. There are over 90,000 museums worldwide, and their number is constantly growing, reflecting the increasing role of culture and historical memory in the global context.
In Ukraine, the museum network encompasses over 5,000 museums of various forms of ownership—state, municipal, private, and departmental. They preserve millions of exhibits, including archaeological artifacts, works of art, documents, and unique historical relics that form the nation’s cultural heritage.
Museums are modernizing, evolving, seeking new ways to engage audiences, and representing Ukraine to the world. In the context of war, the role of museums as a component of the sociocultural environment has only grown stronger. It is museums that collect artifacts to preserve the memory of historical events, in particular recounting human tragedies that must never be repeated.
Since the start of Ukraine’s War of Independence, a significant number of museums have suffered destruction or damage. According to the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, hundreds of cultural heritage sites have been damaged as a result of hostilities, and part of the museum collections is at risk of destruction or illegal removal.
Despite these challenges, Ukrainian museum professionals continue their work, demonstrating professionalism, dedication, and courage. They are evacuating collections, creating digital archives, documenting the consequences of the war, and recording war crimes. International cooperation, particularly with UNESCO, which contributes to the protection of Ukraine’s cultural heritage, also plays a vital role in this effort. Virtual tours of Ukrainian museums are viewed by millions of people around the world, and joint projects with European partners are bringing renewed attention to Ukraine’s heritage. Ukraine’s museums offer visitors the opportunity to connect with the soul of the nation and explore artifacts, each of which tells a story of our resilience.
International Museum Day is an opportunity to express gratitude to museum professionals for their dedicated work, as well as to reaffirm the value of cultural heritage as the foundation of national resilience. In today’s context, this celebration serves as a call to preserve our history, protect our culture, and pass it on to future generations as an integral part of Ukrainian statehood.