Treasures of Ukraine: A Nation's Cultural Heritage

A celebration of Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage, drawing on over 100 of the country’s most important works of art and architectural monuments from prehistory to the present.

Showcasing more than one hundred objects and buildings — from Byzantine icons and wooden churches to gold-domed cathedrals, folk art, and avant-garde masterpieces — Treasures of Ukraine chronicles the rich arts and heritage of a country currently facing destruction and devastation. The significance of the pieces is explained by renowned artists, curators, and critics, revealing the nation’s complex history and its impact on the present. From the development of ancient cultures like Trypillia and Scythia to early states such as Kyivan Rus and the Cossack Hetmanate, to the dawn of Modernism and the striking contemporary paintings and political artworks being produced today, Treasures of Ukraine reminds us that art and monuments represent powerful sources of collective memory and identity.

All proceeds will be donated to PEN Ukraine, to help Ukrainian authors in need and support museums in Ukraine.

Contents List:

Introduction: Andrey Kurkov
Map of Ukraine
1. Pre-history to Early History Andriy Puchkov
2. Kyivan Rus Christian A. Raffensperger
3. The Lithuanian–Ruthenian State Diana Klochko
4. The Ukrainian Baroque Era Maksym Yaremenko
5. The Nineteenth Century and the Fin-de-Siecle Alisa Lozhkina
6. Avant-Garde Art and Theatre Myroslava M. Mudrak
7. Soviet Rule, the Ukrainian SSR and Non-conformist Art Oleksandr Soloviev
8. Postmodern and Contemporary Art Victoria Burlaka
Appendix: Folk arts Alisa Lozhkina
Timeline of Ukrainian History

About the Authors:

Andrey Kurkov is Ukraine’s most acclaimed living novelist and public commentator. Andriy Puchkov is a specialist in Ukrainian architecture and author of more than two dozen monographs. Christian Raffensperger is professor of history and department chair at Wittenberg University. Diana Klochko is a prominent art historian and author of 65 Masterpieces of Ukrainian Art. Maksym Yaremenko is Professor at the Department of History at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy. Alisa Lozhkina is an art historian, critic and author of Permanent Revolution: Art in Ukraine, XX–early XXI century. Myroslava Mudrak is Professor Emeritus of Art History at the Ohio State University and a member of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine. Oleksandr Soloviev is a leading art critic and a local expert in contemporary art; Victoria Burlaka also specializes in contemporary art.