Ukraine has received the European Heritage Awards Grand Prix for the first time in more than 50 years [1].
The award recognizes the sacrifice of Ukrainian museum professionals who worked to preserve the nation's cultural heritage during the war and those who died while serving on the front lines.
The ceremony took place in Cyprus. The honor specifically commemorates the contributions of museum staff who faced extreme conditions to safeguard art and historical artifacts from destruction.
Among those honored was Marina Gricenko, the chief curator of the Chernihiv Art Museum. During the conflict, Gricenko remained in the museum while it was surrounded for more than one month [2]. Her efforts focused on protecting the collection from the dangers of the siege.
Gricenko later transitioned from her role in the museum to serve as a paramedic on the front lines. She died while performing those duties, embodying the dual struggle of preserving a nation's past and fighting for its future.
The Grand Prix serves as a formal acknowledgment of the systemic risks faced by cultural workers in conflict zones. It highlights the intersection of professional curation and active military service in the current Ukrainian context.
“Ukraine has received the European Heritage Awards Grand Prix for the first time in more than 50 years.”
This award signals an international recognition of cultural heritage as a frontline of warfare. By honoring a curator who also served as a combat paramedic, the European Heritage Awards acknowledge that the preservation of national identity is inextricably linked to the physical defense of the state.
