At the initiative of the National Museum of Lithuania, visitors to the international exhibition “Kyiv Rus. The Beginning” have the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause: one euro from each ticket sold will be donated to the Ukrainian museums that loaned exhibits for the exhibition. This initiative is a reminder of the need to support Ukraine’s cultural institutions during this difficult time.

Visitors contribute to this initiative simply by attending the exhibition – one euro from each ticket will go to the Ukrainian museums that provided exhibits for the display. These are the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Lviv Historical Museum, and the Zaporizhzhia Regional Museum of Local Lore.

These museums have loaned a part of the golden fund of Ukrainian museum collections. More than 300 exhibits from Ukrainian museums have been brought for the exhibition, with a total value exceeding 10 million euros. This is the first time that exhibits of such importance and scale are on display in Lithuania. They represent the heritage of the opulent Kyiv Rus and will present nearly three centuries of the formation and flourishing of this early medieval state.

“This initiative continues the campaign ‘Ukrainian Culture Has No Defense’, conducted last year, which drew attention to the need to protect endangered cultural heritage. Now, as our exhibition ‘Kyiv Rus. The Beginning’ invites people to discover the region’s history, we continue to support Ukrainian museums – this is a step contributing to the preservation of culture when it faces threats. The campaign is also significant for its symbolic value, as a way to show solidarity and support. Every visitor becomes part of an initiative that helps preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage under such difficult circumstances,”says Dr. Rūta Kačkutė, Director General of the National Museum of Lithuania.

Nearly 200 units of restoration materials and equipment were purchased and delivered to Ukrainian museums with the funds raised during last year’s campaign.

“The work continues – the received equipment and materials provide Ukrainian conservators with the ability to carry on with the preservation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Over the past year, more than 300 museum objects were restored. To strengthen cooperation, a two-week internship for Ukrainian specialists took place at the Restoration Centre of the National Museum of Lithuania. They visited museums, restoration workshops, and exchanged knowledge with Lithuanian colleagues, developing both cultural and professional ties,” Dr. Kačkutė shared with satisfaction.

The international exhibition “Kyiv Rus. The Beginning”, presented at the House of Histories, is dedicated to the history of this early medieval Eastern European state, which modern-day Ukraine regards as its origin. It was a multicultural entity that existed in the 9th–13th centuries, emerging from trade networks and influenced strongly by Scandinavian Vikings, steppe nomads, and Byzantium.

The golden fund of Ukrainian museums brought to Lithuania allows for the presentation of nearly three centuries of Kyiv Rus’ formation and prosperity, as well as themes that challenge established interpretations of the region’s history: origin stories influenced by external forces (Scandinavians, Balts, Finns) and internal forces (Slavs); connections with Scandinavia and Viking ruling traditions; links to the territories of today’s Baltic countries; the fall of Kyiv Rus and the echoes of its traditions in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

The exhibition narrative reveals the rich multicultural history of Kyiv Rus and, most importantly, answers the question of who founded the state of Kyiv Rus and continued its legacy after its fall.

The exhibition will run until 30 March 2025 at the House of Histories, T. Kosciuškos St. 3, Vilnius.

The exhibition is held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda.

Photo by: Silvestras Samsonas