International Museum Day

Every museum is a unique space where time seems to pause for a dialogue between the past and the future. Ukraine actively supports this global tradition, and since 2005 the country has held the annual “Night at the Museum” initiative. This event allows visitors to explore exhibitions free of charge during evening hours, creating a special atmosphere of engagement with culture.

In Japan, similar practices also exist and have developed their own national character. Japanese museums organize extended evening programs during events such as Roppongi Art Night in Tokyo. This year the festival marks its return and will take place during the night of October 31 to November 1, dedicating its program to French art. Another important cultural occasion is the Kansai Culture Days in November, when hundreds of institutions across Kyoto and other prefectures open their doors with free admission. These initiatives demonstrate society’s deep respect for knowledge and the arts, making cultural heritage accessible to everyone.

The current state of Ukrainian culture amid russia’s full-scale invasion since 2022 and the ongoing war that began in 2014 requires special international attention. During this period, 139 museums across Ukraine have been damaged or completely destroyed. These losses include both major urban galleries and small regional museums that served as centers of community memory. The destruction of buildings and the theft of valuable collections represent a challenge to global heritage itself, as Ukrainian museum collections preserve unique artifacts from many historical eras.

Despite these difficult circumstances, the Ukrainian museum community continues its work, focusing on the evacuation of collections, conservation of damaged buildings, and digitization of archives. Every preserved artifact and every exhibition held during wartime stands as evidence of resilience and deep respect for historical roots.

International cultural cooperation plays an important role in protecting these values, emphasizing the importance of education and knowledge in the development of civilization. Museums remain a foundation of identity upon which the future is built — a future grounded in respect for truth and the creative work of previous generations. The joint efforts of specialists and the support of caring people give hope for the restoration of every lost institution and the preservation of memory for future generations.