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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Oleg Mandzyuk links the preservation of cultural heritage to state sovereignty and calls for strengthening its protection at the level of national security
The protection of cultural heritage, preservation of national identity, and effective protection of copyright should be considered components of Ukraine’s national security. This is emphasized by Doctor of Law Oleg Mandzyuk in his article dedicated to the work of Ivan Marchuk, the issue of creating a museum for the artist, and the legal mechanisms for protecting his legacy.
According to the expert, in the context of a full-scale war the cultural sphere remains one of the directions of resistance to Russia. This concerns not only the physical destruction of cultural and scientific sites, but also the preservation of historical memory and the distinctiveness of Ukrainian society.
Ivan Marchuk as a symbol of cultural identity
Oleg Mandzyuk pays particular attention to Ivan Marchuk’s life path, viewing it as an example of commitment to national culture:
"True patriotism is measured by concessions: when in the 90-s Ivan Marchuk lived for nearly 10 years in the United States and had the opportunity to become a U.S. citizen, he categorically refused it... He preserved his own creativity and also secured himself for us and our descendants."
According to the expert, this example raises the broader question of the role of personal choice in preserving national heritage. In this context, Marchuk’s work appears not only as an artistic achievement but also as part of the cultural memory that the state must preserve for future generations.
Mandzyuk also draws attention to the artist’s characteristic technique—plentanism—which is considered a special way of making sense of reality and the national experience:
"The prophecy and depth of the Master’s work is not mere magic. It constitutes a unique way of thinking and foreseeing the future. The Maestro’s plaits are like hidden threads of being, and Marchuk’s plentanism is the nation’s code."
Thus the author links Marchuk’s artistic legacy with the broader issue of Ukraine’s cultural resilience. In his view, the artist’s works allow for reflection on historical events, social upheavals, and the challenges the country has faced.
Ivan Marchuk Museum: a question that remains open
Another issue raised in the article is the creation of an Ivan Marchuk museum. According to Mandzyuk, the idea of such a space has been discussed for about twenty years, but it has still not been fully realized.
"I note that we have been hearing about the Ivan Marchuk Museum for about twenty years. Even during Viktor Yushchenko’s presidency this idea was 'almost' implemented... My personal feeling is that I would not like, perhaps, a foreign country to create this Museum faster than the authorities of our native state."
The expert believes that implementing such a project should become one of the practical steps of state policy in the cultural sphere. This concerns not only creating an exhibition space, but also systemic security, research, and popularization of the artist’s work.
This issue takes on special significance given the artist’s age and the need to ensure proper preservation of his legacy. Therefore, the discussion about the museum goes beyond a cultural project and concerns the state’s responsibility for preserving national patrimony.
Copyright and legal protection of cultural heritage
An important part of the article is the legal aspect of the situation around Ivan Marchuk’s work. Oleg Mandzyuk draws attention to the dispute over the licensing agreement of 2020 year and the need for proper protection of the artist’s copyrights.
"Lawyers and attorneys representing Ivan Marchuk’s interests also claim that the Licensing Agreement of 2020 year is onerous and void... and the protection of Ukraine’s cultural status must be ensured at the level of national security."
The author notes that the protection of cultural patrimony should not be limited to a private-law dispute. In his view, the effectiveness of copyright protection mechanisms directly affects the state’s ability to defend national cultural values.
The article also mentions the conclusion of the Lviv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Examinations dated 7 August 2026 year, which, according to the author’s cited data, concerns the authenticity of signatures. These circumstances require evaluation within the framework of the relevant legal procedures, and conclusions about possible violations should be based on case materials and decisions of competent authorities.
Mandzyuk links this situation to the greater responsibility of the state for compliance with intellectual property legislation. In particular, he emphasizes the importance of an appropriate response by law enforcement agencies and the judicial system.
Cultural security in wartime
A separate fragment of the article is devoted to Lana Barnar and her activities in the field of documentary film. Oleg Mandzyuk expresses doubts about the director’s professional background and raises the question of possible ties with Russia.
"I particularly emphasize the figure of Lana Barnar... who presents herself as a documentary film director. There is a high probability that she has connections with the aggressor state... The goal is to hinder the popularization of the Ukrainian people’s cultural heritage... These actions encroach on the politics of national memory."
The expert calls for the circumstances he considers suspicious to receive proper legal evaluation, in particular by the Security Service of Ukraine. At the same time, claims about possible ties with the aggressor state require independent confirmation and cannot be regarded as established facts without appropriate evidence.
In this context, the author raises the broader question of protecting the cultural sphere from possible external influence. According to his logic, state policy should encompass not only the physical preservation of monuments and works of art, but also the protection of copyrights, accurate presentation of Ukrainian history, and support for national memory.
Cultural sovereignty as a component of state policy
In his article Oleg Mandzyuk consistently states that cultural sovereignty is an integral part of state sovereignty. He views the protection of national art, preservation of historical memory, and ensuring copyrights as tasks that require systematic participation of state institutions.
The issues raised by the expert concern not only Ivan Marchuk’s legacy. They also bring to the fore a discussion about the effectiveness of Ukrainian cultural policy, legal protection mechanisms for artists, and the state’s ability to counter threats on the cultural front.
In the conditions of a full-scale war these questions gain particular weight. Preserving cultural identity requires not only public support but concrete measures—from protection of intellectual property to implementation of projects for safeguarding national heritage.
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Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Геостратегія культурного суверенітету: Олег Мандзюк – про код національної безпеки". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: StopKor.
