An Assault on Cultural Identity
In what is seen as a direct attack on Ukraine’s cultural foundation, Russian troops have been accused of purposefully striking at the heart of the nation’s identity—its cultural landmarks. The PEN organization, representing writers across the globe, has voiced alarm over these actions in a revealing report.
Cultural Erasure as a War Tactic
The calculated aggression extends beyond the battlefield to Ukraine’s museums, theaters, and libraries. The PEN report underscores a stark reality: culture itself is under siege. According to PEN, this is not a mere consequence of war but a deliberate strategy employed by the Russian government. President Vladimir Putin’s denial of Ukrainian culture’s very existence is manifested in the destruction of its cultural edifices.
Devastation of Cultural Heritage
The report lists a disturbing tally of cultural casualties. Over 500 institutions, pivotal to Ukraine’s cultural and historical legacy, stand damaged or obliterated since the onset of hostilities on February 24. Emblematic of these losses is the destruction of Mariupol’s main drama theater, a sanctuary for hundreds, now a grave for many following a harrowing airstrike.
Indiscriminate Bombings or Targeted Strikes?
While some may argue the difficulty in discerning intentional from indiscriminate bombings, the PEN report suggests evidence of the former. The presence of the word “children” etched near the Mariupol theater signals a grim possibility: that Russian forces knew of civilian refuge within these cultural sites and chose to strike with that knowledge.
The Cultural Frontline Pre-War
The offensive against Ukrainian culture is not a new front; it harks back to 2014, per the report, with the annexation of Crimea and support for separatist movements. It’s a continuation of a policy that seeks to strip Ukraine of its cultural autonomy, PEN asserts.
Casualties Beyond the Battlefield
The human cost of this cultural war includes writers, artists, and other creatives who have lost their lives either in attacks or defending their homeland. PEN Ukraine has documented the deaths of 31 cultural figures just this year, an often-overlooked aspect of wartime casualties.
Global Reaction to Cultural Attacks
The efforts to diminish Ukrainian culture might have produced an unintended consequence. Figures like American author Dave Eggers, associated with PEN, suggest that Putin’s campaign has inadvertently amplified global interest in Ukrainian culture and its preservation, contrary to the intended effect.