Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Head of the Organizing Committee of the campaign "Seven Wonders of Ukraine: Castles, Fortresses and Palaces", believes that privatization of Ukrainian castles and palaces is a wrong and even harmful idea. He suggests privatizing the ruins of defensive facilities and the names of destroyed or half-destroyed objects.
The discussion started after the Minister of Culture declared that ancient castles and fortresses in the territory of Ukraine might be privatized. M.Tomenko stated that judging by his experience as Head of the Organizing Committee of the campaign "Seven Wonders of Ukraine: Castles, Fortresses and Palaces", under no conditions should the castles of historical and cultural value, which preserved their historical and architectural uniqueness, be privatized. He believes that the government and business should support their restoration, as they did with several castles. "Experience of positive restoration of castles is evident all over Ukraine," he stated.
M.Tomenko called for adopting the state program for restoration of castles, palaces and fortresses, which could authorize the local self-government bodies to allow foundation of a hotel or a restaurant in such locations by consent of the Ministry of Culture. "However, it is the ruins or the names of ruined objects, not well-preserved castles or palaces of historical value, that should be privatized," the politician stressed.