CZ/SK verze

Preserving Culture Under Fire: JUSDA’s Archa I Reaches Ukraine Amid Russian War

Preserving Culture Under Fire: JUSDA’s Archa I Reaches Ukraine Amid Russian War
photo: Olena Pavlova / X (Twitter)/Russian ballistic missile destroyed the Kyiv State Academy of Decorative Applied Arts and Design
21 / 01 / 2025

JUSDA Europe successfully transports Archa I, a mobile conservation unit, to Ukraine, ensuring the preservation of rare manuscripts and cultural artifacts.

Designed for preserving rare manuscripts and archival documents damaged during the ongoing Russian war, this unique container required meticulous planning, specialized handling, and non-standard customs procedures.

A Two-Month Preparation

According to JUSDA Europe, the preparation phase for this high-value operation spanned two months, with coordination involving customs classification, Ukrainian registration, and close collaboration with local partners. Due to the sensitive nature of the cargo, a team of only five specialists oversaw the entire process.

"The biggest challenge was ensuring the proper customs process on both sides of the border," said Petr Škoda, Director of JUSDA Europe. "As this was a high-value donation without a standard invoice, considerable effort was required, especially when liaising with Ukrainian authorities." He added, "Our extensive experience in the Ukrainian market and strong local partnerships allowed us to overcome all administrative hurdles successfully."

Advanced Security Measures

The transportation of the 20-foot container was carried out via road and involved crane handling and a specialized chassis. To ensure security, JUSDA Europe implemented several advanced safety measures"For safety reasons, the final destination was only disclosed to the driver after the cargo was loaded, and the entire journey was closely monitored," Škoda explained.

The Archa I project is a collaborative effort between the Czech Ministry of Culture, the Czech Committee of ICOM, and the National Library of the Czech Republic, as KKCG notes. The container will serve as a mobile conservation unit for repairing and preserving cultural artifacts affected by the Russian war.

A Gift of Cultural Preservation

The project was financed by private sponsors, including MND a.s., the Karel Komárek Family Foundation, and philanthropist Libor Winkler and his associates. The unit’s deployment points out the international community’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in safeguarding its cultural heritage during the ongoing war.

"Archa I is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration," Škoda noted. "It symbolizes hope and resilience for preserving the history and identity of a nation under attack."

A Strategic Partnership

JUSDA Europe’s successful delivery of Archa I shows its capabilities in managing complex, high-stakes logistics. With years of experience in the Ukrainian market, the company played a critical role in navigating the intricacies of cross-border regulations and ensuring the safe arrival of the conservation unit.

The mobile conservation unit will now begin operations in Ukraine, aiding the preservation of invaluable historical documents and manuscripts at risk of destruction due to the Russian war.

Source: JUSDA Europe

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