Media reps given Lavra tour without "imperial myths"

Media representatives at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: Facebook page of the "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" National Reserve

In Kyiv, more than 30 Ukrainian and foreign journalists visited the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized this visit to familiarize the press with the history of the monastery and the preservation of architectural monuments during the war.

In connection with the Lavra’s 975th anniversary, organizers showed guests the Trinity Gate Church, dating to the early 12th century – the only church in Ukraine to have survived with almost no alterations. Paintings from the era of Ukrainian Baroque completely cover the church’s interior. Restoration of the monument has not yet been completed, so the church needs financial support from patrons and international foundations.

At the Dormition Cathedral, media representatives inspected the damage caused by the June 15 shelling. As a result of the attack, the church lost more than 80% of its roof. Ivan Yagovenko, the reserve’s deputy director general for legal affairs and development, told the guests in detail about the cathedral’s restoration.

The journalists also visited the temporarily closed-to-the-general-public exhibition “The Reborn Universe.” Alena Krestinina, head of the sector for the scientific restoration and conservation of works of fine art, introduced the guests to the restored paintings.

After that, the media representatives descended into the Lavra caves, where the history of the ancient Pechersk Monastery began. Throughout the tour, the delegation was accompanied by research staff of the reserve. The staff helped the visitors gain a deeper understanding of the historical context of the monuments, helping them “see the Lavra from a Ukrainian perspective, without imperial myths and imposed interpretations.”

Representatives of the Lavra expressed their gratitude to Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for organizing the tour. They expressed hope that such meetings would help the voice of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery be heard more loudly in Ukraine and beyond.

As the UOJ reported, the authorities discussed with Dumenko the development of cultural routes at the Lavra.

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