At London's V&A, artifacts from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra were presented as Ukrainian
At the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, seven artifacts from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra are now presented as Ukrainian and as items that tell the story of Ukraine. Previously, the museum’s descriptions linked some of these objects to Russia or Russian history.
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London has changed the presentation of seven important artifacts from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. They are now presented as Ukrainian objects that represent the history and culture of Ukraine. “For the first time, these seven important objects, as well as our Lavra gates, are being presented at the Victoria and Albert Museum—one of the most visited and largest museums in the United Kingdom—as Ukrainian artifacts. That is, those that represent the history of Ukraine,” the minister said.
According to her, the museum previously presented information about these objects differently. They might have been linked to Russia or Russian history, even though the artifacts themselves originate from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. This representation was successfully changed thanks to the work of Ukrainian historians and researchers. They helped the museum locate archival documents and confirm the objects’ connection to Ukraine. “We are very grateful to the museum team, as well as to the team of Ukrainian historians and researchers, who were able to convince the museum to present the true history, open the authentic archives, and connect these artifacts—the cross, the icon, the Gospel—to Ukraine, to the Ukrainian Lavra, and to our history,” Berezhna noted.
These are seven items from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Among them are artifacts from the Ukrainian Baroque period, including a cross, an icon, and a Gospel. The Lavra’s Royal Gates are displayed separately in the museum. They are on long-term loan at the V&A. For Ukraine, this change is significant not only in terms of museum captions. Berezhna described it as part of a broader process of decolonizing Ukrainian history and culture. “This is a process of decolonization that we must undergo as a country that has long been under the occupation of various empires,” the minister said.
She also emphasized that such changes help tell the world about Ukrainian culture. After all, the V&A is one of the largest and most famous museums in the United Kingdom, visited annually by people from various countries. “This is our history and our heritage, which we should be proud of and which the whole world should see,” Berezhna noted.
How long will the artifacts remain in London?
Exhibits from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will remain at the Victoria and Albert Museum until September 2027. Berezhna noted that it is important for Ukraine not only to properly present these items abroad but also to ensure their safety. Due to the war, cultural treasures from Ukrainian museums and historical institutions remain under threat of Russian attacks. “We very much hope that one day these treasures will return to Ukraine, but for now, while they are housed in one of the world’s largest museums, we are fulfilling a dual purpose,” the minister said.
According to her, the exhibits are currently both telling an international audience about Ukraine and being kept in a safe place. “First, these treasures—as the exhibition is actually called—tell the whole world about Ukraine. And second, they are truly safe here right now,” Berezhna added. Thus, the Ukrainian artifacts from the Lavra will remain in London until at least September 2027. At the same time, their display at the V&A now clearly links these cultural treasures to Ukraine and its history. Tetyana Berezhna spoke about this on television.
