In Lviv, the marking of cultural heritage sites with the international Blue Shield emblem continues. By the end of the year, a further 175 landmarks in the city are to be marked in this way, primarily in the central part of Lviv.
The new phase of work has begun on Soborna Square. Protective signs are being installed on the historical and architectural complex of the Bernardine Monastery: the belfry, rotunda, column, church building and other elements of the ensemble. The Office for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Lviv City Council notes that they aim to install as many emblems as possible, although the pace of work depends on weather conditions.
The Blue Shield emblem is a blue-and-white symbol in the form of a square at the bottom and a triangle at the top, accompanied by the inscription: “Cultural heritage site. Protected by law”. It is the protective symbol of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, used to mark sites that are subject to special protection.
“For many years in a row we have been marking our cultural heritage sites. This is a protective emblem that is installed in the event of armed conflict and confirms that these sites are valuable and must be protected and safeguarded. We are trying to mark as many of the most valuable landmarks as possible,” says Marianna Moroz, Deputy Director of the Office for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Lviv City Council.
According to Marianna Moroz, Lviv became the first city in Ukraine where landmarks began to be systematically marked with the Blue Shield emblem eight years ago. Despite the existing protection plaques, this internationally recognised sign is additionally installed on every important building, in line with the agreements ratified by Ukraine.
The current phase of work started specifically from Soborna Square because, as the Office for the Protection of Cultural Heritage emphasises, Russian attacks are also directed at the central part of Lviv and at civilian sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lviv has been under UNESCO protection since 1998.
In total, more than a thousand Blue Shield emblems have already been placed on the city’s historic buildings. The marking work is planned to continue in the coming years, expanding the list of protected sites.
Separately, in Lviv this sign has been used to mark 102 mosaic and mural works on 79 buildings. This was done to highlight their artistic and cultural value and to promote them as an important part of the city’s visual culture.
The international Blue Shield symbol is used in many countries around the world. In different states it may have variations in design and accompanying inscriptions, but the combination of a square at the bottom and a triangle at the top remains unchanged. In Lviv, the design of the information sign was approved at the end of 2018, after which the city became the first in Ukraine to begin its large-scale installation on landmarks.
The Blue Shield is the protective emblem of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The 1954 Convention, together with its two Protocols, has been ratified by 130 countries worldwide and sets out the main international rules for the protection of cultural heritage during hostilities.
A video about the installation of the Blue Shield emblem on Lviv’s landmarks can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/HmXHkGGy6qk?feature=oembed