ru.euronews.com
Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral Graffiti Digitally Archived to Preserve Ukrainian Heritage
The Shadows Project is digitally archiving 7,500 historical inscriptions and drawings from Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to preserve Ukrainian cultural heritage and counter Russian disinformation campaigns that misrepresent shared history.
- How does this project contribute to preserving Ukraine's cultural heritage and combating disinformation?
- This project connects the preservation of Ukraine's cultural heritage with its national identity, particularly amidst the ongoing war. The digital archiving combats Russian disinformation campaigns that attempt to legitimize the invasion by misrepresenting shared historical roots. The initiative also highlights the resilience of Ukrainians.
- What is the significance of digitally archiving the graffiti in Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral, given the current geopolitical context?
- The Shadows Project is digitally archiving 7,500 graffiti inscriptions, names, prayers, and drawings from Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. These inscriptions, dating back centuries, offer insights into daily life during the Kyivan Rus period. The digital archive will be accessible via QR codes placed near the graffiti.
- What are the potential long-term impacts of this digital archive on understanding the history of Kyivan Rus and Ukrainian national identity?
- The digital archiving of Saint Sophia Cathedral's graffiti offers a unique, accessible way to engage a younger audience with Ukrainian history and culture. The 3D video format and multilingual information ensure the project's broader reach and impact, strengthening cultural preservation efforts and countering disinformation during wartime.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative strongly emphasizes the urgency of digital preservation due to the ongoing war. This framing, while understandable, might overshadow the inherent historical and cultural value of the graffiti independent of the conflict. The headline (if there were one) would likely reinforce this emphasis on the war's impact.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, although words like "aggressors" and "destruction" carry strong negative connotations when referring to the Russian actions. While these terms reflect the reality of the situation, more neutral phrasing (e.g., 'military actions,' 'damage') could be considered in certain contexts.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the digital preservation project and the war in Ukraine, potentially omitting other perspectives on the historical significance of Saint Sophia's Cathedral or other preservation efforts. While the context of the war is relevant, a broader discussion of the cathedral's history and importance might provide a more complete picture.
False Dichotomy
The article implicitly presents a false dichotomy by framing the digital preservation project as a crucial response to the destruction of cultural heritage caused by the war. While digital preservation is important, it is presented as the primary solution, potentially overlooking other crucial preservation methods or broader geopolitical issues.
Gender Bias
The article features both male and female voices (V. Kornienko and A. Gorska), providing a relatively balanced gender representation. However, a deeper analysis would require reviewing the original source material for potential gendered language or biases in the quotes.
Sustainable Development Goals
The project aims to preserve Ukraine's cultural heritage, which is under threat due to the ongoing war. This contributes to peacebuilding by countering disinformation and promoting national identity. Digital preservation helps safeguard cultural heritage from physical destruction, thus supporting the resilience of Ukrainian society and its cultural memory.