A statement on the war in Ukraine
Today we heard the news that in the regional centre of Ivankiv, in the Kyiv Oblast region, the local history museum, containing more than 20 works by world famous artist, Maria Primachenko, has been burned down.
We know from the recent (ongoing) situation in Afghanistan that both archivists and archives are targets in these types of conflict. Archives carry the culture of a nation into the future and protect the memories of its people. Archivists know what is in their archive – they know, when the worst happens, what has been lost and can testify to its existence and importance.
Why do archives matter – why specifically might they be under threat in Ukraine?
Chris Gilley, Archivist at the Wiener Holocaust Library reached out to us this morning and his words eloquently convey the reality of the threat facing Ukrainian archives:
“This morning I saw that a rocket had hit the apartment block Lobanovskyi Avenue, 6А. This is a short walk from Kyiv’s major archival complex on Solomianska Street. The building houses two major archives: TsDAVO, which has the materials of the various governments created in Ukraine after 1917, and TsDIA, which holds documents from the period of the Tsarist Russian Empire. In addition there is a library of books banned under the Soviets.
Since Ukraine’s archival law of 1994, the country has been renowned among specialists on Soviet history for its archival openness. As Kees Boterbloem writes in a review of a recent work on Ukrainian history, the author had “almost unrestricted access to any of the archival materials of the Soviet era that are preserved in Ukraine nowadays (including those of the secret police). For those researching in Russia, such access is unthinkable, for secret-police, military and politically sensitive materials (and many are deemed to be such) remain off-limits”. I have experienced this myself, having conducted research not only in TsDAVO and TsDIA, but also the former Communist party archive (TsDAHO) and the former KGB archive (HDA SBU) in Kyiv.
The latter is particularly significant. Over the last two and a half decades, citizens of Ukraine have had the ability, albeit with periods of greater and lesser openness, to discover the fates of their forebears and relatives under the repressive Soviet regime. As I know you are aware, archival access is not just a matter for academic historians; it is a fundamental human right that underpins democracy by allowing citizens to hold their rulers to account.
This is currently threatened in two ways. With fighting on the streets of Kyiv and elsewhere, there is the terrible danger that Ukraine’s central and local archival buildings will be hit, creating the prospect of the complete loss of unique and irreplaceable archival materials. Moreover, should, God forbid, the Russian army prove to be victorious, we are likely to see a repressive regime that will close the Ukrainian archives, perhaps even carrying off materials to Moscow.”
Our statement of solidarity with Ukraine
A joint letter is published today to which ARA was one many signatories – it makes clear our support for our colleagues in Ukraine:
“Statement of solidarity with librarians, archivists and information professionals in Ukraine
We the undersigned, representing the UK community of librarians, archivists and information professionals, wish to extend our solidarity and support for our professional colleagues in Ukraine during the current military action by Russia.
We are gravely concerned at the threat posed by this action to the safety of the Ukrainian people, their heritage and identity, as well as to the security of our professional colleagues.
Ukraine is a nation with a rich literary heritage and tradition. Its libraries and archives are home to great collections of works of literature, history and research, documenting the development of Ukrainian culture, identity and language. It is of vital importance to ensure that this body of knowledge, research and creativity is protected for future generations.
The integrity of the public record as well as the safety and intellectual freedom of the civilian population are pre-requisites of any Nation State that aspires to legitimacy or credibility within the international community.
Librarians, archivists and information professionals play a vital role in promoting reading, literacy and access to information for the citizens and communities they serve. It is essential that they are permitted to continue this work in safety and free from coercion or threat.
We encourage political leaders in the UK Government and international community to work together in order to restore peace and security for Ukraine as a member of the international community in good standing and subject to the international agreements and accords already set in place to guarantee this security, including compliance with the international obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property, and its protocols.
The library, archive and information professional community in the UK will work with our colleagues around the world to offer whatever support and solidarity we can to our professional colleagues in Ukraine.”
You can add your own signature and see a full list of signatories here
Many organisations across the cultural sector are offering support, you can read the messages of support from:
What practical support can we offer Ukraine?
We are also keen to offer practical support and via our representation on the European branch of the International Council on Archives (ICA) are in touch with Ukrainian archivists and helping with live requests for assistance. Where these can be publicised more widely we will do so, at the moment the situation is extremely fluid and, as with our assistance in Afghanistan, we need to tread carefully.
Formal channels are likely to be affected by the ongoing fighting in Kyiv and therefore if anyone receives any intelligence or specific requests that we might be able to help with please contact John Chambers at john.chambers@archives.org.uk and we will share with partner organisations and our members as appropriate.
Update: We are in touch with the Association of Ukrainians of Great Britain and have sent a letter of support to the State Archival Service of Ukraine via this email info@arch.gov.ua. Please consider sending a similar letter of support from your own organisation.