National Memory Institute: Lavra Caves were effectively closed to many before

Alferov at the “opening” of the Lavra’s Far Caves. Photo: Ministry of Culture

Oleksandr Alferov, head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, commented on the authorities’ opening of the Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

The official described the caves as “a unique system of man-made underground labyrinths” and claimed that under the UOC, “for a long time, the caves were effectively closed to a significant part of Ukrainian society.” Alferov did not specify which part of society he meant or why those people had supposedly been unable to visit the shrine before.

He also wrote that “the return of the caves to the full control of the National Reserve took place lawfully – through government decisions, inspections, and court proceedings,” although this does not correspond to reality. In fact, the Near and Far Caves were closed by an arbitrary decision of the Ministry of Culture in August 2023, while court proceedings concerning the Lower Lavra are still ongoing and no court rulings have been issued on the fate of the caves.

According to the official, the opening of the Far Caves represents “the return to Ukrainians of a part of their spiritual heritage that others had tried for years to take away and appropriate.”

“Today, step by step, the Lavra is returning to Ukraine’s spiritual and cultural space. The opening of the Far Caves is one of the most important steps along this path,” Alferov concluded.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Culture Minister Berezhna said that people visiting the Lavra feel themselves to be part of the state tradition.

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