On May 22, 2025, a professional seminar on “Memorialization of Modern Events: Challenges and Opportunities for Territorial Communities” was held at the initiative of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Regional State Administration and the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory. The event was attended by representatives of local communities, the museum sector, educators, and cultural heritage experts.
The purpose of the seminar was to discuss the processes and practices of preserving the memory of contemporary historical events related to the Russian-Ukrainian war, as well as to study the legal framework for memorialization within the powers of local governments.
The participants discussed topical issues such as how territorial communities can effectively preserve the memory of heroes, events, and places of resistance; what approaches should be taken to create local memorial initiatives, from memorials to cultural and educational practices; what legal instruments currently exist for local initiatives; and what regulatory barriers should be taken into account. Particular attention was paid to the topic of an ethical approach to honoring the fallen, the role of military families, and the inclusion of young people in collective memory processes.
Modern warfare is already shaping new meanings, narratives, and the need to preserve human memory, which is not limited to formal symbols. Memorialization should be alive, human, and inclusive, not only honoring but also teaching, uniting, and empowering. Every fact preserved, every story told, every sign erected is a step towards strengthening national identity and a fair historical narrative.