АНОНС ДЛЯ ЗМІ
ЗМІ
2025-08-06
A new guidebook, “Saving Historic Buildings from Fire During War”, has been published for everyone working with cultural heritage and responsible for its preservation. The guide provides practical advice and recommendations and is already being distributed among cultural institutions alongside humanitarian aid.
The publication was developed by a team of international and Ukrainian experts:
Heritage for Peace (Rene Taegeler)
Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (Nina Kjølsen Gjernes)
Blue Shield International
The Institute of Conservation (ICON)
Fuego Foundation and independent fire safety experts
The guidebook was commissioned by the National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity • Maidan Museum and the Heritage Rescue Headquarters (HERI), prepared for printing by the Maidan Museum and ACURE, with support from the Ukrainian Museum in New York.
The guidebook focuses on protecting historic buildings from fire in countries experiencing active warfare. It provides essential instructions for actions to take before the arrival of fire brigades.
It is also useful for those working in spaces housing cultural collections and is intended for:
Cultural workers
Heritage protection specialists
Museum staff
Architects
Restorers
Anyone involved in preserving cultural heritage in emergency conditions
The publication includes three main sections:
Fire Prevention and Risk Reduction
Responding to Fire
Fire Extinguishing and Heritage Rescue Measures
Appendices include:
A list of equipment needed to protect buildings from fire
Key reference sources on specialized topics
The guidebook was created by Rene Taegeler and Nina Kjølsen Gjernes. The Ukrainian edition is dedicated to Rene Taegeler, a Danish scholar and globally recognized expert in cultural heritage preservation.
From the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Rene Taegeler offered his help, expertise, and knowledge. The first joint online workshop with Maidan Museum staff took place in April 2022, marking the beginning of work on the practical guide, as there were no clear instructions for cultural institutions in case of fire in Ukraine.
Rene Taegeler worked meticulously to prepare the publication, which combines technical recommendations with human stories illustrated through architectural heritage.
Co-author Nina Kjølsen Gjernes, a restorer and researcher at NIKU Norway, contributed to the publication, alongside consultants from Blue Shield International, ICON, Fuego Foundation, and independent fire safety experts.
In February 2023, after a long illness, Rene Taegeler passed away, leaving a wish that memorial funds be donated to protect Ukraine instead of flowers. Eternal memory! 🙏
📕 View and download the guidebook online: https://surl.lt/bnfmbs
