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Protecting Ukraine's Cultural Heritage in a Time of War

Why are cultural sites a target during war? Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta and Jim Cuno explore.
Ukrainians remove the statue of Hryhoriy Skovoroda after a Russian bombing hit the museum. Play Podcast
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About the Episode

Ukraine is home to millennia-old culture, including some of the holiest sites of the Orthodox faith. Now, facing a brutal artillery campaign and intentional cultural persecution by Russia, Ukraine’s identity is under attack. But Ukraine is not alone in having its heritage threatened by war, despite this being a war crime. Kyiv-based museum director Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta and Jim Cuno, former President of the Getty Trust, join Deep Dish to help us understand why protecting cultural heritage in Ukraine, and in other conflicts is so important, and what the international community can do to help. 

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About the Experts
Director General, Mystetskyi Arsenal National Art and Culture Museum Complex
Olesia Ostrovska-Liuta is the director of the Mystetskyi Arsenal National Art and Culture Museum Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine, which is one of Europe's largest art museums and home to a vast collection of Ukrainian avant garde art, literature and music.
James Cuno
Former President and CEO, J. Paul Getty Trust
James "Jim" Cuno is an American art historian and curator. Cuno formally served as President and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust for over 10 years. Before that he headed the Art Institute of Chicago, among other leading museums through his career. Cuno is also coeditor of the book, "Cultural Heritage and Mass Atrocities", which looks at the destruction of cultural heritage in conflict around the world and what can be done.
Brian Hanson
Former Vice President, Studies
Brian Hanson headshot
Brian Hanson served as the vice president of studies at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He managed the Council's research operations and hosted the Council's weekly podcast, Deep Dish on Global Affairs.
Brian Hanson headshot

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