On June 16, 2025 the field meeting of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy was held in Chernihiv region. The purpose of the meeting was to review the current situation and consider two key issues — the memorialization of the russian - Ukrainian war and the coordination of efforts to secure UNESCO nomination.
Chernihiv is renowned for its ancient historical landmarks. «This is a unique place of our statehood. It is a place of our cultural strength. The land from which Rus’ originated,» emphasized Committee Chairman Mykyta Poturayev. The delegation, which included members of Parliament from the Committee, representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, the State Agency for Tourism Development (DART), the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance (UINP), as well as the head and representatives of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration and others, inspected the damaged Holy Ascension Church in the village of Lukashivka, as well as sites of the National Reserve «Ancient Chernihiv»: the Citadel (Dytynets), Catherine’s Church, the 17th-century Trinity-Illinsky Monastery, the 11th-18th century Antoniev Caves, and the Savior Transfiguration Cathedral.
The meeting began with a visit to the school-museum in the village of Yahidne, which was occupied in March 2022. The memory of those events should be preserved as a vaccination against all things russian. Over 350 people were held by the russians in the basement. People died from illness and suffocation. They were not allowed to bury the dead; the prisoners were barely fed and forced to read russian literature. However, the people resisted: not a single Ukrainian from the settlement sided with the occupiers. This stands as a testament to the strength of the Ukrainian spirit.
Now, a memorial complex is planned to be established in the school basement. The goal is to create this complex by the end of this year. Currently, local residents who survived the horrors of the occupation share their painful stories on the school grounds.
“This place must officially be given national significance,” said Vyacheslav Chaus, head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration. Members of the parliamentary Committee supported this view. “Such places of mourning, and at the same time of our victory — at least spiritual — must be granted national status,” emphasized Mykyta Poturayev.
«It is important to record the eyewitness testimonies. We see how difficult it is for people to descend into this basement each time—they experience retraumatization. Clearly, a state program is needed to document all these testimonies,» added Yevheniia Kravchuk, Deputy Head of the Committee.
Another stop was the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, from which the UOC (MP) was "evicted" and which is now recovering after years of neglect and improper use of this ancient sacred building. Natalia Rebrova, director of the National Architectural and Historical Reserve “Ancient Chernihiv,” explained that the monument is still being cleared of debris and dirt, and illegal constructions are being dismantled. The wall paintings are being restored by professional restorers.
«It would be a huge breakthrough in the information space if we documented such facts of the misuse of national monuments by certain religious organizations and, within the framework of proper strategic communications, showed the world — look at what is being done to our national heritage. This would greatly strengthen our argument for why Ukraine must take these steps (editor’s note — referring to shedding Moscow’s influence),» said MP Volodymyr Viatrovych.
As of now, five memorial sites in the Chernihiv region are included in the “Unified Route”: Yahidne, Lukashivka, Novoselivka, Chornovola Street, and the Chernihiv Regional Historical Museum named after V. V. Tarnovsky. In her speech, the First Deputy Chair of the Committee, Iryna Konstankevych, emphasized the importance not only of preserving but also documenting these places of memory through filming.
The politician proposed to unite efforts with the ministries and hold additional meetings regarding the criteria for memorialization. “Indeed, we need to suggest several models of memorialization, but the basic criteria must remain — what exactly we want to remember.” Iryna Konstankevych also took the opportunity to express her gratitude to the people of Chernihiv for taking care of the heritage and preserving the cultural and historical memory of the Ukrainian people despite such extremely difficult conditions.
Among the key topics was the need for continued efforts to include the “Cultural Landscape of Chernihiv” in the UNESCO World Heritage list as recognition of the value of the city’s architectural heritage and its unique environment. According to Member of Parliament Sofiya Fedyna, UNESCO protection will help promote Ukrainian heritage, and the more the world knows about us, the more opportunities there are to attract investors.
In total, the region has sustained damage to 24 archaeological and historical sites and 44 architectural monuments. Additionally, 112 cultural institutions have been damaged or destroyed across the area.
The Committee is ready to serve as a dialogue platform connecting different branches of government and institutions, assured Deputy Chairperson of the Committee, Yevheniya Kravchuk. She also highlighted the role of the Public Broadcaster in documenting events. For example, the Public’s film “Battle for Chernihiv” has garnered 1.5 million views on YouTube. This resource should be actively engaged, as its voice is also influential.
Concluding the meeting, Vyacheslav Chaus emphasized: “We are investing a great deal of effort—and, unfortunately, lives—for victory. I always repeat that information and culture are extremely important in this war, and on these fronts, we must win. I am grateful that in this context we are moving forward shoulder to shoulder with you. Thank you for the support.”
Photo: Ukrinform, Chernihiv Regional State Administration