Ukrainian audio guide launched at Church Heritage Museum in Vilnius

On November 12, the Museum of Church Heritage (Bažnytinio paveldo muziejus) in Vilnius introduced a Ukrainian-language audio guide, marking the fourth of its kind in Lithuania. The museum also released an informational publication in Ukrainian.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Lithuania shared the news on Facebook, as reported by Rubryka.

"The new audio guide will be an indispensable assistant for all Ukrainians. From now on, visitors to the Museum of Church Heritage in Vilnius have a unique opportunity to delve deeper into Lithuania's rich history and culture through this interactive audio guide," the Embassy stated.

The Embassy emphasized that this project encompasses not only the museum's exhibits but also several iconic sites in the Lithuanian capital, including:

• The Bell Tower
• The Treasury
• The Crypts of the Cathedral, which are part of the museum's departments.

This initiative was made possible with the support of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, who shared a video message saying:

"The national heritage does not perish; it is returned to the peoples to whom it belongs, to those who value it. And no war can prevent the preservation of culture and memory. Now, as Ukraine defends its treasures—both spiritual and physical—it is incredibly gratifying and gives hope."

In turn, the director of the Museum of Church Heritage, Rita Paulukyavičutje, welcomed the event's guests and read the congratulatory address from the Archbishop of Vilnius, Bishop Gintaras Grušas.

The abbot of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity in Vilnius and the Basilian Monastery, Father Mykolay Ruslan Kozelkivskyi (rank of Saint Basil the Great), remarked that the presentation of the Ukrainian-language audio guide symbolically coincided with the commemoration of Saint Josaphat Kuntsevich. Saint Josaphat, one of the most revered figures in the history of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, had served for a period in the Holy Trinity Church in Vilnius. Part of his relics are kept in the Museum in a special reliquary shaped like a sarcophagus.

Doctor of Historical Sciences and Associate Professor at the Faculty of History of Vilnius University, Genute Kirkene, drew historical parallels highlighting the strong connections between the Ukrainian and Lithuanian peoples. She emphasized that, despite geographical distances and different historical paths, both nations share deep roots in a common past.

The event was attended by:

• Ambassador of Ukraine to Lithuania, Petro Beshta
• Director of Town Hall Perlis Vashchega
• Head of the Community of Ukrainians in Vilnius, Nataliya Shertvitenie
• Algis Shimonyutis, Head of the International Charitable Fund for Aid to Ukraine "Help Wing"

The event was also attended by representatives of the Central Library of Vilnius Self-Government, Lithuanian museums, the Ukrainian community of Lithuania, mass media, and teachers and students from Ukrainian schools in Lithuania, including "International Ukrainian School" and "Gravity."

The ceremony was accompanied by a musical performance by Ukrainian violinist Solomiia Voinovych.

The project was implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in Lithuania and the Museum of Church Heritage in Vilnius.

The Embassy expressed gratitude to the Director of the Museum of Church Heritage, Rita Paulukiavičutje, and the project curator, Karolina Koroliova-Barkova, as well as to all the responsible staff members of the Museum for their support and assistance in preparing this important Ukrainian-Lithuanian event.

Thanks were also extended to Ruslan Skrobach for the Ukrainian-Lithuanian translation of the event.

It is worth noting that on December 15, 2022, a Ukrainian-language audio guide was launched at the National Museum "Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania." Additionally, in 2021, two Ukrainian-language bus audio guides were introduced: one for the additional tourist route in Vilnius and another for the Vilnius-Trakai route, which connects the modern and ancient capitals of Lithuania.

As reported, audio guides in Ukrainian appeared on the routes of tourist bus tours in Mexico City and Buenos Aires.

As a reminder, two museums in the Netherlands will now speak Ukrainian to visitors.

A Ukrainian-speaking guide also appeared in the Palace of Versailles, which is located in France.

In addition, Ukrainian audio guides appeared on tourist bus routes in three Portuguese cities.