CyArk, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing and preserving the world’s culture, and its partners, have launched a new 3D exhibition ‘Our Land, Our Story’ offering virtual access to artifacts currently inaccessible due to the ongoing war.
CyArk writes:
CyArk… in partnership with Archaïc, and the Odesa Archaeological Museum, today announced the launch of Our Land, Our Story: Crossroads of History, a free virtual museum experience that empowers everyone globally to explore Ukraine’s history and priceless artifacts through high-resolution 3D models.
Our Land, Our Story features 25 3D artifacts from across Ukraine with commentary from experts in Ukrainian history, enabling everyone to easily explore the country’s rich and diverse culture on mobile or desktop. As Russian strikes continue to threaten cultural infrastructure and many physical collections remain inaccessible due to the war, this online exhibition preserves irreplaceable evidence of Ukraine’s past and asserts that Ukrainian culture will endure.
‘This exhibition lets us share unique archaeological discoveries far beyond our museum’s walls,’ said Mariia Lobanova, Curator at the Odesa Archaeological Museum. ‘It is an affirmation that culture persists even when our buildings are threatened, and collections must be packed into storage for safety.’
CyArk and Archaïc spent three years training 32 Ukrainian heritage professionals from 10 institutions in 3D documentation and provided the equipment to carry the work forward at home. To date, the team has digitized more than 350 at-risk archaeological sites and objects.
‘It’s been a profound honor to partner with Ukrainian colleagues who are safeguarding culture under conditions most of us can barely imagine,’ said Kacey Hadick, Director of Programs and Development at CyArk. ‘Some traveled more than 40 hours to attend training and immediately put those skills into action. We are proud to help ensure these stories are never lost and raise awareness of Ukrainian history.’
For the Ukrainian teams leading the work on the ground, the stakes extend beyond preservation. ‘This is a war not only for territory, but for the right to preserve history,’ added Oleksandra Ivanova, Project Manager at Archaïc. ‘By equipping Ukrainian experts with these tools, we ensure that their story remains told, no matter the circumstances.’
Funding for this international collaboration was provided by the Iron Mountain Living Legacy Initiative, the U.S. Department of State’s Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, and Jagiellonian University in Krakow.
