A Ukrainian museum was among the winners announced at the Museums + Heritage Awards ceremony, which took place this evening. 

The National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War was awarded the Judges’ Special Recognition Award. 

Museums + Heritage Awards judge Caro Howell MBE, Director General of Imperial War Museums and former Director of the Foundling Museum, presented the award. 

On stage, Howell explained that the museum’s aim was to ‘protect, preserve and present’ objects from Ukraine, and it was “an honour and a privilege” to welcome onto the stage the museum’s director Dr Yurii Savchuk.

Accepting the award, Dr Savchuk said: “Since the start of the war, the Museum has already collected over seven thousand war artefacts. They became the basis for exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad. In May last year, we launched a new exhibition in Kyiv titled “Ukraine – Crucifixion”. This is the world’s first artefact-based museum exhibition on the full-scale war. 

“In total, since the invasion began, the Museum has organised 25 exhibitions featuring original artefacts and photos, in 14 countries around the world. This is our way to convey the reality of war to the world.”

During his acceptance, Dr Savchuk said it had welcomed 136,000 visitors since the wa began. 

The judging panel said of its decision: “Documenting history in real-time, against a backdrop of extremely challenging circumstances, this award recognises the important role museums can play in recording world events. The impact that has on both contemporary and future audiences should not be underestimated.”

The museum is one of the largest museums in Ukraine, and has welcomed a reported 21 million visitors since it was first opened. 

For a full list of winners, shortlistees, project information and judges comments, visit the Museums + Heritage Awards website. 

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