17 August, 12:00Ash Tree
Panel Discussion “The Legacy of Raphael Lemkin and Contemporary Challenges in Holding Russia Accountable for the Genocide of Ukrainians”, part of the “Culture vs. War” project within the “Under the Ash Tree” panel series at the Bouquet Kyiv Stage 2025 Festival of High Art
The understanding of genocide formulated by Raphael Lemkin may serve as a key to finding new ways to hold Russia accountable. While the global security system continues to show uncertainty in the face of current threats, turning to Lemkin’s ideas allows for a reassessment of the compromise decisions of the past century and a search for effective mechanisms to achieve justice.
This discussion brings together representatives of the public and governmental sectors who focus on documenting and investigating Russian crimes against Ukrainian culture, as well as on the protection of cultural heritage.
Despite a shared recognition within Ukrainian society of the genocidal nature of Russia’s war, including among cultural and legal experts, differing opinions persist regarding the legitimacy of revisiting Lemkin’s original concept of genocide. This skepticism is partly reinforced by the traditional stance of international political and institutional actors.
Therefore, the goal of the panel is to unite representatives of the legal, cultural, and governmental sectors to discuss approaches to understanding genocide as a crime aimed at the total annihilation of Ukrainians along with their material and spiritual heritage. The discussion also seeks to identify common ground for further consolidation in the pursuit of holding Russia accountable for crimes against Ukrainian culture.
Moderator:Veronika Plotnikova – Head of the Coordination Center for the Support of Victims and Witnesses of War Crimes, Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine
Speakers:
Vitaliy Tytych – Lawyer representing the families of the Heavenly Hundred, Managing Partner at “Vitaliy Tytych and Partners” Law Firm, military serviceman
Anton Drobovych – Head of the Center for Human Rights and War Memorialization, Kyiv School of Economics
Maksym Svynar – Deputy Head of the Department for Countering Crimes Committed in the Context of Armed Conflict, Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine
Organizers:The Raphael Lemkin Society, Cultural Institution “Mizhvukhamy,” and the Association “Watch Ukrainian!”
FREE ENTRYWith a valid ticket to the territory of the Saint Sophia of Kyiv museum complex(UAH 400 – regular admission, UAH 200 – discounted).Combat veterans do not need to purchase a ticket.