The War Museum celebrated a significant date—50 years!
The National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War celebrated the 50th anniversary of its history and activities.
This event brought together government representatives, defenders of Ukraine, international partners, foreign diplomats, museum employees, cultural figures, and patrons.
Many warm words and sincere wishes were addressed to the Museum’s staff. The recognition and high appreciation of the Museum’s activities at the state level are of particular importance.
People’s Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Oleksandr Kovalchuk, presented the Special Recognition of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, to the staff of the Museum for their significant contribution to the development and popularization of historical and cultural heritage. Four representatives of the Museum were awarded the Honorary Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Special Recognition of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Halyna Hryhorenko presented two museum employees with the Special Recognition of the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, for their significant personal contribution to ensuring the development of museum work, many years of conscientious work, and high professionalism.
Six museum employees were awarded the Honorary Recognition of Kyiv City Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko for significant achievements, significant personal contributions to the development of museum affairs, high professionalism, and on the occasion of the 50th anniversary. The awards were presented by Serhii Anzhyiak, Director of the Department of Culture of the Kyiv City State Administration. He also awarded eight museum employees Special Recognition of the Department of Culture of the Kyiv City State Administration.
The Head of the Pechersk District State Administration in Kyiv, Nataliia Kondrashova, awarded the team of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War with the Honorary Recognition of the Pechersk District State Administration in Kyiv for the many years of fruitful work of the staff of the War Museum, aimed at researching and highlighting the events of the military history of Ukraine, preserving and strengthening the historical memory of Ukrainian society, the exceptional place of the Museum in the processes of civic education and cultural diplomacy, as well as the special contribution of the institution to the development of museum work in Ukraine. Seven staff representatives were awarded Special Recognition from the Pechersk District State Administration in Kyiv.
One employee of the Museum was awarded Special Recognition from the Kyiv City Military Administration.
Tetiana Sliuz, Head of the State Treasury Service of Ukraine, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Museum, presented an unusual and symbolic gift that the treasurers made themselves—motanka-dolls that mark every significant historical event from 1974 to the present.
On behalf of the Presidium of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, the award was presented to the Museum by the President of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, Viktor Sydorenko, and the Vice-President of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, Yurii Vakulenko.
The representatives of military units and structures greeted the team.
The Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, transferred to the Museum’s exposition a trophy of cold steel weapons—knives that belonged to the russian special forces. The artifacts were presented to the Museum by Colonel Yevhenii Yerin.
The Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, Hero of Ukraine, Brigadier General Oleksandr Pivnenko, personally visited the event. In his speech, he emphasized that in these difficult times, when our state is experiencing challenging trials, the War Museum is a treasury of memory of the heroic past and plays a key role in documenting the current events of the russian-Ukrainian war.
Temporary Acting Head of the Department of International Cooperation and Communications of the State Protection Department of Ukraine, Valentyna Savitska, on behalf of the State Protection Department of Ukraine, presented the Special Recognition to the Museum staff and expressed deep gratitude for their critical mission —preserving historical memory and forming national consciousness.
Sincere congratulations from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Head of the Service, Serhii Deineko, were expressed by Colonel Yurii Shydliukh, Deputy Head of the Department—Head of the Department of National and Patriotic Education of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Having traveled hundreds of kilometers, foreign partners—directors of leading museum institutions and organizations in Europe—arrived to congratulate and honor the War Museum.
In her warm speech, Helene Rånlund, Director General of the National Swedish Museums of Military History, recalled the history of the development of inter-museum cooperation and joint work on the exhibition "Crossroads: Sweden — Ukraine (1000 Years)", which is currently on display at the Swedish Army Museum in Stockholm.
Kristīne Skrīvere, Director of the Latvian War Museum, delivered a poignant speech in which she conveyed greetings from the Minister of Defense of Latvia, Andris Sprūds. Kristīne presented the Museum staff with two Latvian national flags with commemorative signatures—from the Minister of Defense of Latvia and the Latvian War Museum staff.
The Director of the Vytautas the Great War Museum, Rita Malinauskienė, noted in her welcoming speech that the implemented joint projects with the Ukrainian War Museum will forever occupy a prominent place in the history of both institutions, and Lithuania’s support for cultural integration will only increase.
Małgorzata Ławrowska - von Thadden, Head of the OBMIN Foundation, expressed sincere admiration for the activities of the Museum’s staff during the war and wished them to reach new heights on the international stage.
Jörg Morré, Director of the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst, noted that the German and Ukrainian museums have a long history of cooperation, and today, on a significant day for the War Museum, he is particularly pleased to be here in person.
The War Museum also prepared an unusual gift. To honor the selfless activities of the First Volunteer of the War Museum, a photographer from Sweden, Andrzej Markiewicz, and his contribution to the development of the Ukrainian-Swedish cultural partnership, the War Museum initiated and Ukrposhta produced its own postage stamp. The stamps depict Andrzej, a panoramic photo of the War Museum, the Motherland Monument, and the official logo of the Museum’s 50th anniversary. The stamp redemption ceremony took place right on stage during the anniversary event, with the participation of Andrzej Markiewicz, Head of the Philatelic Products Department of JSC "Ukrposhta" Natalia Mukhina, and Director General of the War Museum Yurii Savchuk.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Four industry leaders: Vasyl Vovkun (Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ukraine 2007-2010), Yevhen Nyshchuk (Minister of Culture of Ukraine 2014, 2016-2019), Oleksandr Tkachenko (Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine 2020-2023), Rostyslav Karandieiev (Interim Acting Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine 2023–2024)—gathered on the museum stage to express their congratulations. Each of them recalled their own history of cooperation with the institution and expressed sincere words of support for the Museum’s activities.
The Museum once again confirmed that we are innovators in the museum industry and know how to enter new areas of activity. This year, the first museum award in Ukraine was launched—a silver medal to honor individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of the Museum. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary, five people were awarded: Chief Reputation and Marketing Officer of the Nova Poshta Group of Companies Olena Plakhova, Director General of the National Swedish Museums of Military History Helene Rånlund, Head of the State Treasury Service of Ukraine Tetiana Sliuz, People’s Deputy of Ukraine, co-founder of the NGO Charitable Organization "UKRAINE FOR HEROES" Oleksandr Kovalchuk, founder of the Sheremetiev Museum, collector and philanthropist Oleksii Sheremetiev.
Many friends and partners of the Museum from all over Ukraine also joined the event. Their valuable gifts now have a prominent place in the Museum’s fund collection, and warm congratulations warmed the hearts of the Museum staff.
The event program included thematic presentations on various aspects of the Museum’s activities, accompanied by the screening of documentary videos.
Over the past 50 years, the Museum has created 537 exhibitions, welcomed over 32 million visitors, and collected over 416000 artifacts. Today, it actively documents and highlights the events of the russian-Ukrainian War, drawing the world’s attention to the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people.
The musical program was presented by the military personnel of the Cultural Forces and the National Exemplary Band of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who gave those present unforgettable emotions.
There are not enough words to express our gratitude to everyone who shared this unforgettable evening with us online or offline and who congratulated and continues to congratulate the Museum. This event will forever be inscribed in the Museum’s history.
We would like to separately thank our partners, thanks to whom we managed to organize the event: Heroldmaster LLC, Nova Poshta, Sheremetiev Museum, Singleprint, Grande Vallee, Art Design, Screenpro, Profi Company, Hotel "Dnipro," Bogdan Gubsky Foundation "Ukraine - 21st Century".
