”The level of impudence is off the charts,” – Roman Bochkala reacted to attempts to evict the museum from a Kyiv art lyceum

In Kyiv, a conflict has erupted around the “Blockpost of Memory” museum, which operates at the Taras Shevchenko Kyiv State Art Lyceum. Journalist and public figure Roman Bochkala, in a Facebook post, stated that the unique exhibition dedicated to the Russia-Ukraine war is being evicted from the premises. He criticized the actions of the school administration and the stance of the relevant officials.

The “Blockpost of Memory” museum found itself at the center of the conflict

Bochkala said that he has been friends with the museum’s founder, Pavel Netosov, for many years. According to him, the situation around the exhibition he created provokes outrage, because during the war the museum must defend its right to exist.

“It’s strange that such an object has to prove its right to exist. Yet it is fighting for it,” the journalist wrote.

The museum in question, “Blockpost of Memory,” is located on the territory of the Taras Shevchenko Kyiv State Art Lyceum. Here are collected items related to Ukraine’s struggle for independence, evidence of Russian aggression, and proof of war crimes.

As Bochkala noted, the exposition is regularly visited by schoolchildren, students, and foreign guests. In his view, this space has special significance for preserving historical memory and for acquainting young people with the events of the war.

Bochkala accused officials of attempting to evict the museum

In his post the journalist asserts that certain representatives of the institution’s administration strive to vacate the premises where the exhibition is currently located.

Bochkala also stated that supposedly potential tenants have already been found for the territory, and that officials intend to receive funds from its use. At the same time, there is no documentary evidence for these claims in the cited post.

Special attention was given to acting director of the lyceum, Alektina Kahidze.

According to him, after her appointment, the facility began dismantling patriotic symbols, and later the question of evicting the museum’s premises arose.

Bochkala asserts that the leadership justifies the corresponding demand by possible danger of the exhibits, although, in his words, they passed state expert evaluations.

In addition, the journalist criticized the lack of an appropriate response, in his view, from officials of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. In his post he mentioned Tetiana Berezhna, Yevhen Lavro, and Tetiana Kolos, emphasizing the need for their intervention in the situation.

“We will certainly defend the museum”: Bochkala promised to protect the exposition

The journalist stated that he has no intention of leaving the situation without attention. He is convinced that a museum dedicated to Ukraine’s history of resisting Russian aggression must continue to operate.

“We will certainly defend the museum,” Bochkala emphasized.

He also expressed his intention to seek an assessment of the actions of officials whom he believes are responsible for the situation around the institution.

Concluding his post, the journalist reminded of the importance of preserving historical memory: “Who does not know their own history will later teach the enemy.”

Thus, the question of the further operation of the “Blockpost of Memory” museum remains the subject of public discussion. At the same time, the accusations voiced by Bochkala reflect his position and require consideration of the explanations of the other side.

As a reminder, the All-Ukrainian public organization “Stop Corruption” and the public organization “International Association of Fortification Researchers ‘Citadel’” signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The document was signed by the head of “Citadel” Pavlo Netosov, co-founder of the NGO Stop Corruption Roman Bochkala, and the chairman of the board of the NGO Stop Corruption Ihor Bondarchuk. The parties agreed to jointly strengthen public control over the use of public funds for the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of fortifications and defensive structures, as well as to preserve Ukraine’s fortification heritage.