Decolonising with Ukraine: Rethinking Cultural Narratives and Responsibilities

A SSEES Rethinking Eastern Europe and Eurasia panel discussion

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Decolonising with Ukraine: Rethinking Cultural Narratives and Responsibilities

08 Dec 2025, 18:00 – 20:00

Masaryk room
16 Taviton street
UCL School of Slavonic and East European studies
London
WC1H 0BW
United Kingdom

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How do cultural organisations in the UK engage with the new cultural discourse of decolonisation that has gained momentum in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine? What does ‘decolonisation’ mean in this context – why should we rethink this concept, and why must Ukraine be part of this conversation?

This roundtable will explore these questions through the lens of the newly published guide ‘Supporting Decolonisation in Museums: Focus on Ukraine.’ Bringing together representatives from the organisations that played a key role in creating the guide – ICOM UK, ICOM Ukraine, the Museums Association, the Ukrainian Institute and the British Council – the discussion will consider how cultural institutions can respond to the ongoing war, contribute to decolonising practice, and foster equitable international partnerships. The discussion will also reflect on the practical challenges and complexities faced by institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in translating decolonisation principles into practice.

Image credit: An upside-down painting at MOMA. Source: Supporting decolonisation in museums

Maria Blyzinsky

Independent museum consultant, curator and writer

She is Curator Emeritus at the Royal Museums Greenwich, Co-chair of ICOM UK, and committee member of Blue Shield UK. She has a long-standing interest in the protection of culture under threat and was lead writer on the new guide to Ukraine. Her current research lies at the intersection of exhibition-making, international cultural diplomacy and post-conflict heritage practice.

Tetyana Filevska

Creative Director

Ukrainian Institute Kyiv

Author of several books on Kazimir Malevych and producer of films about his work, she previously held roles at IZOLYATSIA, EIDOS, and Mystetskyi Arsenal, and teaches at the Ukrainian Catholic University and the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine.

Alice Minter

Specialist in Decorative Arts

She joined the V&A as Curator of the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection in July 2018. Her current research focuses on Jewish Heritage, Nazi and Soviet-looted art, which will be addressed in the newly expanded and refurbished Gilbert galleries (opening in March 2026).

Lucy Zoria

Head of Arts

British Council in Ukraine

Lucy leads on Decolonisation projects related to Ukraine within the organisation. She is also a student of the Public History and Memory Studies at Kyiv School of Economics, currently conducting research on the ideology of cotton production in Soviet Ukraine.

Dora Merai (Chair)

Lecturer in Heritage and Museum Studies

Newcastle University

Her current research addresses the relationship between cultural heritage and planning in the context of conflict and recovery in Central and Eastern Europe.