Ark for Ukraine

🇺🇦 Cultural heritage is at the heart of national identity, and when it is in danger of being erased, action must follow. At the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, leaders from culture, business, and politics came together with the Karel Komárek Family Foundation to support Ark for Ukraine’s mission to protect Ukraine’s history.    Now, with fundraising underway for Ark III, the next step is ensuring this groundbreaking mobile digitization unit can help safeguard Ukraine’s most vulnerable artifacts before they are lost forever.

The Karel Komárek Family Foundation has been unwavering in its support for Ukraine, providing urgent humanitarian aid, sheltering families, and now safeguarding the country’s cultural heritage. With nearly 500 cultural landmarks damaged, the need for preservation has never been greater. Through the Ark for Ukraine initiative, we are committed to protecting irreplaceable history, ensuring that Ukraine’s identity endures for generations to come. We are proud to be part of this mission. 💙💛

🇺🇦 We took a monumental step forward with the arrival of Ark I in Kyiv. With expert training now underway, Ark I represents resilience and innovation in cultural protection. As this mission unfolds, further funding is being sought to expand efforts, including digital documentation of irreplaceable artifacts. “Culture represents a nation's historical memory and soul, serving as a strong point for people to turn to in times of difficulty,” stated Martin Baxa, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic.     🙏 This achievement underscores the power of unity when diverse partners come together for a shared purpose. We deeply appreciate the collaborative efforts of the Czech Ministry of Culture (Ministerstvo kultury), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the National Library of the Czech Republic (Národní knihovna České republiky), the National Museum of the Czech Republic (Národní muzeum), the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine, and private contributors like the Karel Komárek Family Foundation, MND, Allwyn, and Libor Winkler.

📍 A significant milestone in the Ark for Ukraine project has been reached. The specialized mobile unit, Ark I, has now been formally handed over from the Czech side to our partners in Ukraine, marking a crucial step in the preservation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.     🤝 Developed through international cooperation, Ark I is equipped to safeguard rare manuscripts, books, and archival documents that are at risk due to ongoing conflict. In addition to the physical transfer, comprehensive training for Ukrainian experts by Czech specialists is now underway, ensuring that this invaluable resource is used to its full potential.     🙏This initiative would not have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of our partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Czech Ministry of Culture (Ministerstvo kultury), the Ukrainian government, the National Library of the Czech Republic (Národní knihovna České republiky), the National Museum of the Czech Republic (Národní muzeum), the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Library Association, MND, Allwyn, entrepreneur Libor Winkler, and all those who have contributed to this effort.

Ark I has arrived in Kyiv and is getting ready for its mission. ✅    Czech and Ukrainian librarians are working together to preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Through specialized training, Czech experts are equipping their Ukrainian colleagues with advanced techniques for conserving rare books and prints. 🤝 This initiative marks a first-of-its-kind effort, made possible through the collaboration of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (Ministerstvo kultury), the National Library of the Czech Republic (Národní knihovna České republiky), the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic, the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine, MND, and Libor Winkler with friends. As Ark I prepares for deployment, we look forward to seeing its impact in the field. Thank you to all partners and supporters who are making this project a reality.

🇺🇦 Ark for Ukraine, supported by the Karel Komárek Family Foundation, MND, Allwyn, the Czech Ministry of Culture (Ministerstvo kultury), the National Museum of the Czech Republic (Národní muzeum), the National Library of the Czech Republic (Národní knihovna České republiky), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Library Association, is a testament to what is possible when organizations unite with a shared purpose. During times of war, protecting cultural heritage becomes essential for resilience, recovery, and peace. The Ark project is at the forefront, safeguarding Ukraine’s history through innovation and collaboration.

📜 A milestone for Ark I: This specialized mobile unit, designed to safeguard rare manuscripts, books, and archival documents in Ukraine damaged during the war or threatened by external conditions, has now been delivered to Kyiv. Ark for Ukraine project exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. 💙 We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Czech Ministry of Culture (Ministerstvo kultury), the Ukrainian government, the National Library of the Czech Republic (Národní knihovna České republiky), the National Museum of the Czech Republic (Národní muzeum), the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Library Association, MND, Allwyn, entrepreneur Libor Winkler, and all our partners for their steadfast commitment to preserving what defines and uplifts communities during their most difficult hours. 🌏 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has documented significant damage to over 450 cultural sites across Ukraine. This includes 32 museums and 17 libraries, along with their invaluable collections, which stand as cornerstones of Ukrainian history, culture, and national identity. These losses represent not only physical destruction but also a profound threat to the heritage and collective memory that define and sustain a nation.

➡️ Ark I, the first mobile conservation unit developed under the Ark for Ukraine initiative, continues its journey to protect Ukraine’s written heritage. Now operating under the stewardship of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Library Association, Ark I brings much-needed preservation support directly to libraries and memory institutions across Ukraine.  The project would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the Czech Ministry of Culture (Ministerstvo kultury), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the National Library of the Czech Republic (Národní knihovna České republiky), the National Museum of the Czech Republic (Národní muzeum) and financial contributions from partners such as the Karel Komárek Family Foundation and MND.

🇺🇦 The Karel Komárek Family Foundation, with its long-standing commitment to cultural heritage, played a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine during the first year of the Russian invasion. This effort, as Director Lubos Vesely explains, sparked discussions with the Czech Ministry of Culture (Ministerstvo kultury), ultimately leading to the launch of the Ark Project, managed by the National Library of the Czech Republic (Národní knihovna České republiky).    Highlighting the project’s significance, Vitalij Usatyj, Chargé d'affaires at the Ukrainian Embassy in the Czech Republic, emphasizes the uniqueness of Ark I, a mobile conservation unit capable of traveling across Ukraine to digitize cultural artifacts such as books and other materials.    And Tomas Foltyn, General Director of the National Library, adds that Ark I exemplifies their dedication to supporting institutions and preserving cultural heritage for future generations. 📚

Ark I, the first mobile conservation unit under the #ArkForUkraine initiative, has been officially completed and is now ready to be handed over to Ukraine. 🇺🇦 This significant milestone is the result of a year-long collaboration between the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (Ministerstvo kultury), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the National Library of the Czech Republic (Národní knihovna České republiky), and private donors. Operated by the Yaroslav Mudryi National Library of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Library Association, this mobile unit will support libraries and memory institutions across Ukraine, ensuring the protection of invaluable written heritage for future generations. 🙌 The success of this project highlights the strength of collaboration between public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Generous contributions from MND, the Karel Komárek Family Foundation, and other supporters have made this initiative a reality. We extend our gratitude to everyone involved and look forward to sharing its ongoing contributions to preserving Ukraine’s cultural identity. To learn more about this important initiative and its impact, visit: https://lnkd.in/dvM2nwVD