State Tourism Agency head wants to make Lavra a "tourist magnet"

Mariana Oleskiv (far left) and Maksym Ostapenko (second from right) at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: M. Oleskiv’s Facebook page

Head of the State Tourism Development Agency (STDA) Mariana Oleskiv thinks that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra should become a major tourist centre. This was discussed during the meeting with the Acting Director General of the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" Maksym Ostapenko, reports Oleskiv on her Facebook page.

In her opinion, "one of the largest monasteries in the Orthodox world has been for many years under the occupation of Moscow popes and was a centre for the spread of pro-Russian narratives in Ukrainian land".

"We at the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine are confident that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra should become an important tourist magnet for the country," Oleskiv wrote.

She said that during the meeting with Ostapenko, they "agreed to fully support STDA in popularising the Rerve's tourism products and creating inclusive itineraries for people with disabilities". Officials intend to "actively work with partners and international organizations to sensitize them to the Lavra’s needs".

The meeting also discussed the possibility of holding a conference on the basis of the Reserve "Preservation of Cultural Heritage During the Restoration and Development of the Standard of Revival of Cultural Sites”.

As reported, Maksym Ostapenko earlier said that Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra should become a "modern cultural centre" and a "museum tourist magnet”.

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