In Ukraine, UNESCO exhibits the impact of war on culture and media UNESCO

In two weeks, UNESCO welcomed over 3,000 visitors to its exhibition “Behind the Lens: Culture Under Attack” at the Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko National Museum of Arts in Kyiv. The Khanenko Museum, paying tribute to journalists that risked their personal safety to document the war in Ukraine.
Take a glimpse of the opening event on World Press Freedom day (3 May 2024).
The exhibition gathers a selection of photos produced through a joint project of UNESCO and Institute of Mass Information (ІМІ) during which more than 60 photojournalists recorded the transformation of the Ukrainian cultural landscape.
First, Ukrainian journalists received trainings on safety and first aid, as well as photography and cultural reporting skills. After that, these journalists travelled to cultural sites damaged due to Russia's invasion, and took photos, documenting this loss of heritage. It is through their lens that we see the scarred facades of churches, the broken windows of cultural centers, the collapsed ceilings of theaters, and the ashes of libraries. Yet, at the same time they captured the sustainability of cultural life in Ukraine. They recorded the work of artists and performers, cultural actors, and volunteers who continue to work in war conditions.
The project, which is part of UNESCO's ongoing efforts in Ukraine to support the cultural and media sector, was funded by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund. The exhibition was realized with the support of the People of Japan.