Google digitizes Ukrainian cultural monuments

A separate page on Ukraine’s cultural heritage, Ukraine is Here, has been launched on the Google Arts & Culture platform. The project was created in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine and 10 other partners, including the National Art Museum of Ukraine, the Ivan Honchar National Center for Folk Culture, the Museum of Theater, Music and Cinema of Ukraine, St. Sophia Cathedral, the Galagan Art Museum (Chernihiv), the Lviv Historical Museum, the Republic Street Art Festival (Kamianets-Podilskyi), and the balbek bureau architectural firm.

For the first time, the platform, which can be accessed by users from all over the world, contains comprehensive information about Ukrainian culture, art, architecture and natural landscapes. Users can enjoy music, videos, online tours of the Street View project, 3D models, and virtual galleries.

«With the help of augmented reality technology, the Google Arts & Culture app offers more than 40 incredible 3D models, including St. Sophia Cathedral, Palanok Castle in Mukachevo, Pidhirtsi Castle in Lviv region, and the National Opera of Ukraine. The platform also features some objects whose physical counterparts were damaged or destroyed as a result of Russian shelling, such as the bell tower of the Assumption Cathedral in Kharkiv,» the Ministry of Culture said in a statement.

The Ukraine Next Door project is divided into four main areas: culture, architecture, art, and nature. For example, in the Culture section, you can learn about Ukrainian folk traditions, the history of national dress and jewelry, crafts, and folk music. In addition, you can find films dedicated to contemporary Ukrainian fashion, cinema, stand-up, dance, and even rave culture.

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska also reacted to the new project of the Ministry of Culture and the Google platform: «When the Russian occupiers are burning down Ukrainian monuments or looting them, the Ukraine Next door project by Google and the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine is especially important. It both preserves Ukrainian culture and makes it more popular in the world.»

As a reminder, Google will provide $ 2 million for digital education for Ukrainians and 50,000 Google Workspace licenses for the government. The funds will be spent on teaching Ukrainians digital literacy, bridging the digital divide, and scaling the Diia. Digital Education platform.