In the fight against the illegal trade in cultural objects looted from Ukraine, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has compiled a Red List of endangered cultural objects in the country attacked by Russia. The list published in Paris includes manuscripts from the 13th to 19th centuries and centuries-old icons, but also modern art, from naïve painting to socialist realism, as well as handicrafts, costumes and jewelry.
The international association of museums and museum professionals, founded in 1946 and now covering nearly 140 countries, wants to use the presented Emergency Red List to facilitate the identification of cultural objects looted from Ukraine “when they start to circulate in the coming weeks, months and years old”. The illegal trade in artefacts has been around for a long time but has increased due to the Russian invasion, the museum board said. The list was also compiled with the help of museum experts from across Ukraine.
The latest reports of the massive looting of the art museum in Kherson by Russian troops show how real and serious the danger is, the statement said. To combat the illegal trade in cultural heritage, the network works with international organizations such as Interpol and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The United Nations has been using satellite imagery to document the destruction of Ukraine’s cultural property and heritage since the Russian offensive began nine months ago. At the end of October, UNESCO listed 207 cultural sites damaged or destroyed, including 15 museums, 10 libraries and 76 buildings of historical or artistic value. (apa/afp)