Yevhen Boiko: Roman Shukhevych Museum: A year has passed—what has been accomplished?

I would like to remind and organize the information about how the community of Lviv is working on the restoration of the Roman Shukhevych Museum. It seems that this project has been discussed in great detail, yet clarification is always beneficial.

Destruction of the Museum

On January 1, 2024, due to a strike by Russian drones, the Roman Shukhevych Museum in Bilohirsha suffered significant damage. Despite all the risks, the city and the public have actively engaged in its restoration, and today we can talk about the first achievements in this process.

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What has been accomplished in a year? Step by step, brick by brick, we are doing everything with meticulous precision to preserve the most valuable aspects.

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First Point – Design and Consultations

In February 2024, a nationwide architectural competition was announced for the best project for the museum's restoration. Thirteen design teams participated, with the project by Guess Line Architects, led by Andriy Lesiuk, emerging as the winner. We are well acquainted with this team of architects from their work on the Memorial to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred on Kryvonoсa Street. Anyone visiting Lviv today must see this memorial space and often remarks that it is a top attraction in terms of historical and architectural significance.

At the request of Roman Shukhevych's family, the architects will recreate the historical appearance of the Roman Shukhevych Museum building in Bilohirsha. Authentic elements that partially survived the Russian attack (such as carpentry, wooden stairs, a piano, busts, etc.) will be restored and returned to the museum. All original elements will be clearly distinguished from new ones. A key feature will be the hideout where Roman Shukhevych was concealed, located on the second floor of the building.

The Guess Line Architects team has completed over 85% of the working project (Stage P), incorporating the family’s wishes regarding the museum's restoration. The entire project documentation is planned to be completed by early 2025. Following that, an expert review and a competition for selecting the general contractor for the museum's reconstruction will be announced.

New Functional Spaces: The area of neglected utility buildings will be transformed into a space for patriotic education activities for youth. The project includes the creation of a park named after Roman Shukhevych with educational areas near the lake. Plans include installing outdoor furniture and developing the area around the monument.

Inclusivity and Accessibility: All elements of the space will be fully inclusive. The building will be equipped with a folding lift, and access to the museum will be made barrier-free. A shelter is also planned.

Improvement of the Adjacent Area: The lake next to the museum will be organized, including the installation of two wooden walkways over the water. The area will be landscaped with various types of plants, and the monument will be highlighted with proper lighting.

The project has been discussed with Roman Shukhevych’s daughter, Ms. Maria Tryliovska, the museum team, a working group, and an advisory council. Suggestions from the meetings were taken into account by the architects.

Second Point: Preparation for Construction Works

First of all, legal documentation has been prepared to commence the restoration. Why has it taken so long? Because we are dealing not just with a historical monument, but an important site for the city community and Roman Shukhevych's family, so all processes, both documentary and legal, occur with particular scrutiny and precision. A well-prepared project and documentation constitute a significant part of the success in implementing the project.

For three weeks now, preparatory work has been underway at the Roman Shukhevych Museum in Bilohirsha. Workers from LKP "Rembud" are actively carrying out what is possible at this stage of the restoration and reconstruction project: valuable historical elements have been preserved, the area has been cleared, and damaged flooring and parquet have been removed from the surviving rooms. Specialists from the municipal enterprise and specialized equipment are working on-site.

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The workers from LKP "Rembud" have leveled the area, prepared it for construction, installed scaffolding, and removed construction debris.

During the clearing process, several valuable artifacts were discovered, including roofing materials, stair elements, a table leg, fragments of a submachine gun – part of the museum's exhibition, as well as concrete flowerbeds. All found elements have been transferred for storage for further use in the reconstruction or museum exhibition.

The dismantling of parquet, flooring, and stairs in the preserved rooms has begun, aimed at future restoration.

At this stage, work is also being carried out related to preparing the site for construction – laying utility networks, preparing the construction site, arranging access roads, and planning the area according to the approved project.

Preparatory work is being conducted by LKP "Rembud". An open tender will be announced later for the selection of a general contractor for the main construction works.

Third Point: Cooperation with the Public and Project Works

On December 16, the Lviv City Council, KP "Lviv Intercity Technical Inventory Bureau," and NGO "New Museum" signed a memorandum of cooperation in the restoration of the Roman Shukhevych Museum. The latter will become a key partner in the museum's restoration, attracting funds and distributing them as transparently as possible.

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Why did we choose this route? During wartime, we all understand how budget funds are allocated, so a consolidated decision was made – the Roman Shukhevych Museum will be restored through the joint efforts of benefactors, the city community, patrons, and all those who care. For effective management of the funds that will be donated, we held negotiations with various organizations, but few were willing to take on such a task.

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Who is NGO "New Museum"?

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, NGO "New Museum" has contributed to assisting Ukrainian museum workers who continue to preserve cultural heritage amid war. Within the framework of the "Museum Crisis Center" program, they have supported museums financially, conducted training sessions, international residencies, and digitized heritage. Over three years, the organization has raised more than 11 million UAH to support Ukrainian museums, and this expertise is being utilized for the restoration of the Shukhevych Museum.

A Supervisory Board will be established, tasked with overseeing the use and distribution of funds, as well as monitoring the progress of the restoration and reconstruction work of the museum.

Fourth Point: How to Help?

Currently, we have a special account where anyone interested can contribute to the restoration of cultural heritage.
NGO "New Museum"
EDRPOU: 44482619
Bank: AТ KB "PRIVATBANK"
Account: UA233052990000026007031029658
MFO: 305299
Payment Purpose: Charitable contribution for the Restoration Project of the Roman Shukhevych Museum.
I would like to note that city council employees have donated their one-day salary to the charitable account for restoration.

Fifth Point: What’s Next?

Next is the challenging and meticulous work ahead. Our goal is to restore the Museum building by 2025. Meanwhile, step by step:
After the completion of preparatory works, the project will be submitted for expertise, and a competition for the general contractor for the main works will be announced.

NGO "New Museum" will continue to organize fundraising and attract international donors.
Full implementation of the project is anticipated, including the creation of a hideout, multifunctional spaces for lectures and workshops, and ensuring inclusive access.

Subsequently, the creation and filling of the exhibition, as well as the arrangement of quality improvements, will follow.

P.S.: I am often asked about various donations. I say: the restoration of the museum is a matter of honor and dignity for our community, so we will be grateful for every hryvnia that goes toward this noble cause. In Ukraine, we have over 2,000 cultural and historical monuments destroyed by Russia.

If we consolidate our efforts and are the first to restore the first destroyed museum, we will accomplish something truly significant.

Thank you to everyone who worked with us as a team throughout this year. I invite you to continue our joint efforts.

For more information on the restoration and reconstruction of the Roman Shukhevych Museum, read here.