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Ukrainian Heritage Digitization and Dissemination Initiative

The “Ukrainian Heritage Digitization and Dissemination Initiative” is a joint international project by “Archaic” and CyArk, serving as a natural continuation of the “Preserving Ukrainian Legacy” initiative in 2024–2025. This project aims to protect and promote Ukraine’s cultural heritage through innovative digital technologies. Supported by the U.S. Embassy Fund Program, UHDDI provides training, 3D equipment, and methodological resources to three Ukrainian institutions: the Odesa Archaeological Museum, the Institute of Archaeology of the NAS of Ukraine, and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. By bringing together institutions with diverse profiles, the initiative fosters cross-sectoral collaboration for improving cultural heritage protection during war and peace. Through the involvement of various institutions, the project aspires to create new models for interaction among the Ukrainian cultural heritage protection specialists from different sectors.

Training in Kraków

This year’s training, organized by CyArk and “Archaic,” took place for the second time with the support of the Jagiellonian University. Teams from Kyiv and Odessa were hosted in Collegium Maius, one of the university’s oldest buildings, in the hall of Michał Bobrzyński — governor of Galicia from 1908–1917 and mentor to Mykhailo Hrushevsky. 

The program emphasized a hands-on approach. CyArk specialists Casey Haddick, Chris Millburn, and Rob Kesack not only introduced participants to photogrammetry, laser scanning, and 3D modeling software but also guided them through every step of the practical application. Each day, participants created 3D models of historical objects provided by the Jagiellonian University. 

Participants worked with ceramic vessels, metal torcs, weapons, and flint tools, selecting artifacts similar to those they will handle in Ukraine. They also practiced digitizing architecture using photogrammetry and laser scanning, producing a detailed model of the courtyard and facade of Collegium Maius. 

At the program’s conclusion, the Cultural Attaché of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine attended to see the participants’ progress. Teams presented their results, demonstrating mastery of the methods needed for the digital preservation of cultural heritage in Ukraine. Equipped with new tools, they have returned to their institutions to begin the next phase: digitizing heritage collections with the continued support of “Archaic.” 

Online Training: Launch of a New Project

Our project began with brief online training sessions, marking the first step toward participant collaboration. During online sessions, we presented the project’s overall vision, working methods, and goals we aim to achieve.

The second training placed special emphasis on presentations by representatives from three USA museums, who shared their experiences with digital tools — September 11 Museum & Memorial, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and Museum of Science, Boston. Their expertise helped us to outline the potential for further use of the tools provided by the project.