Ukrainian Institute of National Memory presented the final version of the document, which outlines 10 principles of commemoration of the Russian-Ukrainian war. These principles are formulated as recommendations for those involved in the creation and implementation of memorial projects.
The Institute emphasizes that the proposed principles are not an exhaustive or final set of rules. They complement each other, emphasizing the most important aspects of memory perpetuation, but at the same time they do not pretend to be universal or irreplaceable. Their main task is to form a reliable basis for open dialogue and joint creation, to promote a deeper understanding of the experience of war, the role of society in it, and the struggle for freedom and life.
One of the key emphases is on the need to reflect the multidimensionality and complexity of the war, which affected all aspects of the life of Ukrainian society, in the memorialization. This means that different events, places, stories and participants should be in focus.
The principles of broad participation and publicity call for making the process itself open to the widest circle of those willing. At the same time, an inclusive approach involves the purposeful inclusion of those groups and individuals whose absence in memorial practice may lead to distortion or incompleteness of the overall picture.
Memorial spaces should be organized in such a way as to reflect the equality of dignity and rights of all those they touch, both those who come to these places and those whose memory they commemorate. However, at the same time, simplistic equalization is inadmissible – when heroism or sacrifice is devalued or vice versa – exaggerated to a false scale.
In general, these principles should help to form an ethical, objective, humane and relevant culture of war memory, which will allow society to better understand its experience and preserve it for future generations.
