Today is the premiere of the next episode of the Listen to Violity podcast. Denys Minin's guest this time is a person whose name is known to everyone in Ukraine who cares about the protection of monuments.
Nelia Kukovalska is a leading expert in the field of architecture, restoration, construction, monument protection and museum practices. She is the Head of the Museum Expert Council of the All-Ukrainian Association of Museums, Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine, Academician of the Ukrainian Academy of Architecture, member of the Main Board of the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments, and the Association of European Cathedrals.
Ms. Nelia was the Director of the National Conservation Area "St. Sophia of Kyiv" from 2000 to 2012, and has been leading it again since 2015. She is the head and one of the authors of the Conservation Program for the preservation of the architectural heritage of the Conservation Area and the strategy for the development of museum activities.
Nelia Kukovalska at the awarding ceremony of the "Wiki Loves Monuments" photo contest, 2015
Ilya / Wikimedia Commons
During her years of work in the reserve, St. Sophia's Bell Tower, the Khlibnya exhibition halls, the Metropolitan's House Museum, Zaborovsky's Gate, the Golden Gate, the Corner Tower of St. Cyril's Church, and the Consistory building were restored, museumified, and opened to the public. One of the largest projects successfully implemented under her leadership was a comprehensive project to restore St. Andrew's Church.
Denys managed to discuss many topics with such an interesting and informed interlocutor. How does the Reims Gospel unite Ukraine with the world and what difficulties arise in the process of returning our old printed books? What is the fate of the Sudak Fortress in Crimea, which is part of the reserve headed by Ms. Nelia? Researching the graffiti of St. Sophia of Kyiv, a visit to the New York Public Library and cooperation with Swedish museum workers, the cult of Our Lady of Orange on Ukrainian lands, and mystical signs on the eve of the Great War - all this and much more will be discussed in the new issue of Listen to Violity.
Don't miss the premiere on the Violity PRO Collectibles YouTube channel today, May 10 at 17:00.
Cover photo: armyinform.com.ua
