More than 30 representatives of Ukrainian and international media visited the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra”. The visit was initiated by a team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. During the tour, the journalists learned more about the history of the Lavra, its monuments and its significance not only for Ukrainian, but also for world culture and spirituality.
This year, the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra celebrates its 975th anniversary and begins preparations for its millennium. At this time, it is important not only to reflect on the almost thousand-year history of the sanctuary, but also to tell about the daily work of specialists behind the preservation of its monuments during the war.
The acquaintance with the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra began with the Trinity Gate Church – the only church from the early 12th century in Ukraine that has survived to this day almost without reconstruction. Its interior is almost completely covered with paintings from the Ukrainian Baroque era, in which biblical plots are combined with the original vision of the Lavra masters.
The restoration of the Trinity Gate Church began before the full-scale invasion, but has not yet been completed. Currently, experts are working to preserve the monumental painting, and the monument needs the support of patrons and international funds.
The next stop on the route was the Assumption Cathedral. The journalists saw the aftermath of the Russian attack on the night of June 15, which resulted in the church losing over 80% of its roof. In total, 19 objects were damaged on the territory of the National Reserve.
Ivan Yagovenko, Deputy Director General of the National Reserve for Legal Affairs and Development, spoke about the condition of the cathedral and the steps needed for its further restoration. The journalists also visited the exhibition “The Revived Universe” in the first building of the National Reserve, which is temporarily closed to the general public. It is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Restoration Workshop of the Lavra Museum and the work of specialists who preserve Ukrainian cultural heritage.
The exhibition features over 100 works of art from the 17th–20th centuries: ancient Ukrainian icons, crosses, silver church utensils, liturgical fabrics, and old prints. Among them are items from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and other temples and monasteries in Kyiv. Many of them were destroyed during World War II and have only recently been restored.
The guests were introduced to the restored paintings by Alena Krestinina, head of the sector for scientific restoration and conservation of works of fine art. She spoke about the collection of the National Reserve, the history of its formation, the main types of damage to monuments, and the features of the works related to the history of the Lavra.
Volodymyr Nazar, head of the sector for scientific restoration of works of decorative and applied art of the department for scientific restoration, conservation and examination of movable monuments of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve, told journalists about the peculiarities of the restoration of ancient fabrics.
Finally, media representatives visited the Lavra Caves, from which the history of the Pechersk Monastery began almost a thousand years ago.
Throughout the visit, the journalists were accompanied by researchers from the National Reserve. They helped them to better understand the historical context of the monuments and see the Lavra from a Ukrainian perspective — without imperial myths and imposed interpretations.
This initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is important to us. We thank the MFA team for organizing the visit. Thanks to such meetings, the voice of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra will sound louder for Ukrainian and international audiences.
