The Khanenko Museum has won the Best in Heritage award and received the Project of Influence 2025 recognition, becoming a symbol of resilience and innovation in the cultural sector. The award was accepted by the museum’s director, Yulia Vaganova, during the 24th The Best in Heritage conference in Barcelona, which brought together over 150 professionals and 40 international cultural heritage awardees.
The jury highlighted:
"This project, born from the sheer resilience of those confronting the reality of war, reminds us of humanity’s core values — care and solidarity. By transforming empty museum halls and the absence of collections into a space for community and creativity, the museum has become a beacon of resilience, transformation, and inspiration for future generations and for peace."
Each year, The Best in Heritage recognizes only two projects worldwide — Project of Influence and IMAGINES. The initiative unites winners of the most prestigious awards, including Europa Nostra, EMYA (European Museum of the Year Award), and CIMAM (Award for Outstanding Museum Practices), creating a platform to discuss how cultural institutions respond to contemporary challenges.
The Khanenko Museum was nominated for The Best in Heritage as the winner of the CIMAM Outstanding Museum Practice Award 2024.
Representatives of the museum stated:
"For the Khanenko Museum, this award is a recognition of the power of culture and trust in Ukrainian institutions worldwide. Even in times of war, museums remain centers of life, meaning, and hope. We are grateful to The Best in Heritage organizers, colleagues, and all partners — for this honor and for the shared belief in the strength of culture, community, and partnership."
The Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko National Museum of Arts is a leading museum of world art in Ukraine, showcasing major collections from Europe, Asia, and the Ancient World. The museum’s heart is the art collection of Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko, prominent Ukrainian collectors and philanthropists of the late 19th – early 20th century.
