Irish Prime Minister Michail Martin visited the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve during his visit to Kyiv. The head of the Irish government saw the consequences of the Russian attack on the world-famous monument and learned about the work being carried out to preserve the damaged shrine.
This is Michal Martin’s second visit to the Ukrainian capital since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. He first came to Kyiv in 2022. The current visit took place during Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
At the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, the Prime Minister of Ireland was met by the Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy – Minister of Culture of Ukraine Tetyana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine Tetyana Filevska, and the Director General of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra National Reserve Maksym Ostapenko.
Michal Martin visited the Assumption Cathedral and inspected the site of the Russian strike drone strike. As a result of the attack on June 15, the church lost more than 80% of its roof, and a total of 19 objects were damaged on the territory of the National Reserve.
Maxim Ostapenko told the Irish Prime Minister about the destruction and the work carried out after the attack to save the shrine. After completing the first-priority emergency measures, specialists are preparing the Assumption Cathedral for the next stage – conservation.
The guest also viewed a tablet exhibition dedicated to the history of the destruction and revival of the Assumption Cathedral. Its materials tell about the trials the church underwent in different periods and the efforts made to restore it.
At the end of the visit, Maksym Ostapenko presented Michal Martin with an illustrated publication “The Great History of the Great Church”, dedicated to the history and architectural heritage of the Assumption Cathedral.
The visit of the Prime Minister of Ireland provides an opportunity to once again draw the attention of international partners to the consequences of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cultural heritage and the need for its preservation and restoration.
