Saving the Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth, Ukraine
After shelling caused the structures to collapse, an international team is working to stabilize this historic building
View of the Chernihiv Collegium, Transfiguration Cathedral, and Saints Borys and Hlib Cathedral (2012) by I. V. TestovWorld Monuments Fund
Chernihiv's historic center has been on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1989.
But soon after Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, it laid siege to the city.
Clearing the rubble after Russian shelling in Chernihiv (2022) by State Emergency Services of UkraineWorld Monuments Fund
The campaign, which lasted until April 4, included numerous missile attacks, resulting in the deaths of almost 700 people, with another 300,000 residents forced to flee.
The assault on the city also caused the destruction of roughly 3,500 buildings, threatening its rich cultural legacy.
Bomb damage to the interior of the Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth (2022) by Artist unknownWorld Monuments Fund
Among the historic sites damaged in the shelling was the Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth, a nineteenth-century Gothic Revival building whose roof collapsed after multiple bombs exploded nearby.
"This building is the most painful loss among those damaged by the Russians.… [It] survived when the city was conquered by the Bolsheviks in 1918 and 1919 and during WWII. But two 500-kilogram explosives turned the building into ruins.… I don't know what's keeping the building from collapse—there's almost no roof, one wall is missing. Perhaps the spirit of the museum and the library isn't allowing it to fall.”
Serhey Layevsky
Director, Tarnovsky Regional Chernihiv Historical Museum
History of the library
In 1902, the ornate building became home to a rich collection of historic artifacts amassed by Vasyl Tarnovsky and opened to the public as the Museum of Ukrainian Antiquities.
Devoted to Ukrainian history, the museum contained paintings, rare books, Cossack antiquities, and objects related to the famous poet Taras Shevchenko.
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Street view of the library prior to the bombing
View of the Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth prior to the attack (2014) by Nomad0212World Monuments Fund
Though the collection was moved when the building was converted into a regional library in 1978, the site retained both its splendid ornamentation and its reputation for historic richness.
View of the blasts near the Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth (2022) by ICCROMWorld Monuments Fund
But on March 11, 2022, the library suffered major damage from Russian shelling.
When the bomb struck, local librarians rushed to rescue and protect books and special collections from the building.
But as no one had anticipated an attack on the library, it was unprepared for such an emergency situation.
"We…negotiated with communities in Chernihiv, who are committed to saving the book collection and storing it at their place. But…it wasn't possible to enter the building and clear [the debris] because of safety requirements. So we decided to take all we could in the days immediately following [the attack] without risking people’s lives.”
Lyudmyla Zamay
Director, Chernihiv Regional State Administration Department of Culture and Tourism
After the building was shelled, it faced a new, additional threat: damage from extreme temperatures and precipitation, which threatened to further destabilize the structure unless something could be done to protect it.
Bomb damage to the exterior of the Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth (2022) by Artist unknownWorld Monuments Fund
"Without our support, a lot of affected buildings cannot withstand the cruel winters."
World Monuments Fund partnered with Cultural Emergency Response with funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to safeguard this building from further damage.
First, debris was cleared away, and craters were back-filled to make the land level again.
During all steps, special effort was made to preserve the original materials of the building so that they could be used during reconstruction.
Preservation of original materials in the wake of the Russian bombingWorld Monuments Fund
"We designed the project with complete respect for the authenticity and integrity of the site."
Security fence installed after the bombing at the Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth (2022)World Monuments Fund
A security fence was also erected to protect the vulnerable site from looting.
Contruscting the protectiving covering after the bombing at the Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth (2022)World Monuments Fund
Lastly, protective coverings were installed, covering the windows and the holes in the roof.
These structures are strong enough to withstand heavy snow pack, protecting the exposed interior from the winter cold and damp.
With the building’s condition stabilized and the site cleared and documented, the foundation has been laid for the future rehabilitation of this historic building.
Axonometric projection of the protective structure for the Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth (2022) by conservation.pdfWorld Monuments Fund
"It's basically…encouragement for the local community to make sure that life goes on."
The project, undertaken by WMF and CER with funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has garnered accolades, pointing the way for excellence in local heritage preservation under the most trying of circumstances.
Digital model of the reconstructed Chernihiv Regional Library for YouthWorld Monuments Fund
"The scar of this destruction will always be part of the external look of the building in the future."
“During [a parliamentary discussion], we specifically acknowledged the professionalism and high quality of the urgent stabilization project at the [library].… In a situation of ongoing war, preserving historic sites is very challenging. In this case, a balanced, wise, and judicious approach, in combination with traditions of scientific preservation, resulted in a successful precedent for the thoughtful protection of historic buildings affected by military actions."
Hanna Bondar
Member of the Ukrainian Parliament
"We do hope that the project will continue, and the historic site will serve for the benefits of the local community when the situation allows”
Hanna Bondar
Member of the Ukrainian Parliament
Learn more about Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth
The winterization and stabilization of the Chernihiv Regional Library for Youth is the product of a collaborative effort between World Monuments Fund (WMF) and Cultural Emergency Response (CER) with funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ukraine Heritage Response Fund was created with leadership support from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation. World Monuments Fund would also like to thank the other generous donors who have supported the Fund, including Cultural Emergency Response (CER) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands; the Richard Lounsbery Foundation; Tianaderrah Foundation / Nellie and Robert Gipson; the Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation; the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation; the Flora Family Foundation; Christie's, and other supporters.
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