Scientific And Practical Cooperationof Ukraine And Sweden In Preservinghistoric And Cultural Heritage

Abstract

The article highlights collaborative efforts of Ukrainian and Swedish representatives of cultural and educational institutions. It provides details on the experience of Ukrainian archivists who worked fruitfully with specialists from the National Archives of Sweden and the archival institutions of the Västra Götaland region during the first archival residency organized by this region in the fall of 2024. Various formats were used to discuss issues related to the formation of documentary collections by archival institutions, technological processes for ensuring the preservation of documents, digitization issues, in particular the transcription of digitized archival documents using handwritten text recognition technology, as well as formats and directions of scientific research. This visit became a very important link in establishing direct cooperation between archivists, museum workers, and librarians from Gothenburg (Sweden) and Kharkiv (Ukraine), which takes place through the organization of international scientific and practical events. Following the spring session of 2025 as part of a joint Ukrainian-Swedish project to exchange experience among cultural and educational institutions located in the Västra Götaland region and the Kharkiv region, four scientific and practical events were held, attended by representatives of more than 20 archival, museum, library, and educational institutions, public organizations, and government agencies. The main topics of discussion at these round tables, which took place in the form of webinars, were issues related to the preservation of historical and cultural heritage in the context of ensuring the safety of archival documents during military operations; the organization of research work in cultural and educational institutions located in Kharkiv in the context of military operations; the development of digital technologies to ensure the preservation of historical and cultural heritage and the participation of civil society representatives in these processes. It is expected that Ukrainian-Swedish cooperation will continue through the organization of further residencies in the Västra Götaland region, as well as through further sessions of joint scientific and practical events.