"The pictures give an idea of Ukraine‘s incredible cultural wealth“, said Bamberg‘s Mayor Andreas Starke at the opening condemning Putin’s aggression against Ukraine. Of the current 1,154 World Heritage sites, seven are located in Ukraine. They are acutely threatened by Putin's war, which has already razed over 100 listed monuments to the ground.

The protection of Ukraine's cultural heritage has become an integral part of ongiong relief efforts. Some of the cultural treasures are currently being evacuated. Others are being shielded with sandbags, bubble wrap and wooden boards. The Russian Federation signed the Hague Convention in 1957 and must protect cultural treasures also during war. However, Putin does not abide by the rules of international law. Instead, he aims at erasing Ukraine's national identity.

Therefore, Bamberg with this special exhibition puts the spotlight on Ukraine's seven World Heritage sites:

1. Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

2. L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre

3. Struve Geodetic Arc

4. Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians

5. Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans

6. Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora

7. Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathians

They are presented on multi-piece metal panels designed by h neun Berlin at the World Heritage Visitor Center at Untere Mühlen in Bamberg, Germany. The exhibition is open daily with free admission. It was facilitated by the Denk-Mal-Stiftung Bischberg/Bamberg.

Picture: Amt für Bürgerbeteiligung, Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit/Gerhard Beck