Ukrainian art galleries partially reopen

The Lviv National Art gallery has reopened some of its 18 branches in western Ukraine.

Gallery director Taras Voznyak says the decision is an act of resistance: “Putin now has the goal of turning Ukrainians into nobody, into nothing. In order to show that we are alive, we have opened several branches.”

The gallery boasts a 65,000-piece collection in total, displayed in palaces, castles and cathedrals across Lviv province.

The gallery’s most valuable artworks will remain in storage, but Vozynak has not ruled out opening the main gallery in the future. He is also planning online exhibitions, and exhibitions built underground, if funding is in place.

“Life does not stop,” Voznyak added.