Protecting Cultural Heritage: The Impact of Russia’s Destruction of Kharkiv’s Publishing House on Ukrainian Culture and Education

By Kristina Danilenko

Critical Situation in Kharkiv

While aiming to open an additional front in the war, Russian military forces have significantly intensified indiscriminate attacks and bombardments in the northeastern city of Kharkiv since May 10th. The impact has been devastating: on May 23rd, Russia launched an extensive aerial bombardment which targeted one of Ukraine’s largest printing and publishing facilities, Faktor-Druk. Just three days later, another attack struck the hypermarket “Epicenter,” resulting in the deaths of 18 people and injuring 44 others according to regional authorities. As of May 27th, five individuals remain missing following the assault. The ongoing assaults have forced thousands to flee their homes, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.

Destruction of Europe’s Largest Printing Press

The destruction of the Faktor-Druk printing house, which accounts for the publishing of  one-third of the books in Ukraine, led to the burning of over 50,000 books alongside the destruction of critical printing equipment. The bombardment furthermore killed seven employees and wounded 22 innocent civilians. 

The Faktor-Druk printing house is not only one of the largest printing facilities in Ukraine, but in Europe as well. In fact, prior to the war, Kharkiv printed more than 80% of Ukrainian-produced books as a whole. Yet, this printing facility not only produced books, but a diverse selection of literary materials: newspapers, diaries, notebooks, and specifically, over 40% of Ukrainian textbooks. Faktor-Druk CEO Tatyana Grinyuk notes that Russia deliberately attacked the printing facility in order to stifle the expression of Ukrainian language and literature, as many hope to distance themselves from the Russian language. The impact this will have on education cannot be ignored either; the destruction of textbooks and learning materials will make the pursuit of education even more difficult than it already was during times of war.

Importance of Cultural Preservation During Wartime & Nova Ukraine’s Initiatives

Unfortunately,  this is not the first instance of Russia targeting cultural and educational institutions/facilities in Ukraine. Throughout the conflict, Russian forces have consistently targeted culturally significant sites along with vital infrastructure, including schools and printing houses, in an effort to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and cultural identity. As of May 2024, UNESCO confirmed that 375 cultural sites have been damaged since February 2022, including “137 religious sites, 172 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 31 museums, 20 monuments, 14 libraries, and 1 archive.“

It is especially crucial to remember the importance of defending Ukrainian cultural heritage, whether it be literature, architecture, art, music, and much more in face of death and destruction perpetuated by Russia. As such, the significance of raising awareness and upholding Ukrainian history, artists and writers cannot be overstated; by seeking to learn about Ukrainian history, immersing ourselves in Ukrainian music and art, and supporting Ukrainian cultural initiatives, we can take part in defending the nation’s cultural heritage.

Thus, alongside humanitarian initiatives at Nova Ukraine, we seek to promote Ukrainian culture and heritage across broad audiences to promote positive change across various aspects of Ukrainian society. Through cultural exchange and enrichment, we strongly believe that helping others develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Ukrainian culture can bridge gaps, build solidarity, and inspire global support for Ukraine. Nova Ukraine has adopted multiple initiatives to address these critical issues: from the rebuilding of schools in the Chernihiv region to the opening of 50 extracurricular learning centers in Ukraine in partnership with the Howard G. Buffet foundation, Nova Ukraine is strongly committed to defending the culture and education of Ukraine.

During times of war in which the cultural integrity of Ukraine is being put under constant threat by Russian aggressions, it is especially vital to provide Ukrainians with platforms for expression and recognition globally. These endeavors not only preserve and celebrate Ukraine’s rich heritage, but ultimately empower Ukrainians by providing them avenues for expression and acknowledgement.

Helping Nova Ukraine’s Humanitarian Aid and Relief Efforts

At Nova Ukraine, our dedication lies in providing prompt humanitarian assistance and continuous support to the people of Ukraine, including critical efforts in regions such as Kharkiv. Here are some ways you can help:

DONATE: Provide a donation with proceeds going towards critical humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Any amount of aid is crucial and greatly appreciated.

RAISE AWARENESS: Use your voice and talents to spread awareness about Ukraine and the efforts of Nova Ukraine in your respective community. Share the message to family, friends, and broader networks so we may amplify the call for support.

VOLUNTEER: Join the growing Nova Ukraine team to help support and organize diverse initiatives that aim to provide direct relief to Ukrainians during the war.

Donate. Impact. Change.