Thanks to the new project «Cultural Underground Museum», passengers in the capital's metro can learn about Ukrainian culture even during air raid alerts.
Recently, a virtual museum project was presented in Kyiv, initiated by the All-Ukrainian organization «Union of Archaeologists of Ukraine» with the support of the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives.
The aim of the project is to make knowledge about Ukrainian history accessible to everyone, especially for those who spend time in shelters during air raid alerts.
Informational posters with QR codes have been installed at 20 stations in the Kyiv metro, from historical to residential areas. By scanning the code, passengers access an online platform where they can explore archaeological sites and cultural landmarks.
All content is available for download and use in other shelters, such as schools and hospitals. Similar initiatives have also been implemented in Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Lviv.
«We always support socially important initiatives. This project covers many stations so that passengers can explore Kyiv's history, and later visit the full exhibition at the „Golden Gate“ station,» said Oksana Nikoforuk, head of the press service of the Kyiv Metro.
The project's initiators emphasize that this is not just an exhibition, but a way to preserve national memory, which is vital for Ukrainian resilience. In wartime, when shelters have become part of everyday life, the «Cultural Underground Museum» transforms them into spaces for self-awareness and cultural resistance.
Yuriy Puholovok, one of the project leaders, notes that the initiative showcases a new approach to preserving cultural heritage during the war. He believes that knowledge of the past is crucial for national security.
«Cultural Underground Museum is a play on words. We stand on the foundation of history and culture, which the enemy wants to destroy. The project's idea is to turn shelters into spaces for exploring one's identity,» explains Anna Yanenko, project co-coordinator.
Kateryna Chuieva, a museum expert, states that such initiatives change society's attitude towards cultural heritage, particularly in wartime.
The project demonstrates how culture becomes a tool of resilience in difficult times. By combining archaeology with digital technologies, the «Cultural Underground Museum» emphasizes the value of heritage for the national future.
For more information about the «Cultural Underground Museum» project, visit the official website.