The director of the Odessa Museum of Western and Eastern Art, Olesya Ostrovska-Lyuta, has pledged to protect the collection of the museum at all costs, even as the Russian invasion of Ukraine intensifies.
Despite the dangers of staying in Odessa, Ostrovska-Lyuta has refused to leave the museum and its collection of over 25,000 artworks, including works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Monet.
“I wake up every day and see a new Picasso,” she said in an interview.
“Every day is a gift.”
“I will not leave this museum. I will not leave these paintings.”
The museum has been hit by Russian shelling several times, and Ostrovska-Lyuta has been forced to move the collection to a safer location.
She has also taken steps to protect the paintings from damage, including covering them with plastic and using sandbags to create barricades.
“We have to do everything we can to protect this collection,” she said.
“It is our heritage, and it is the heritage of the world.”
Ostrovska-Lyuta’s dedication to the museum and its collection has been praised by the international community.
In March, she was awarded the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest order of merit, for her “exceptional courage and dedication.”
She was also named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2022.
Despite the dangers, Ostrovska-Lyuta remains determined to protect the museum and its collection.
“I will not let them destroy our culture,” she said.
“I will not let them destroy our heritage.”
The museum has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion.
It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there are those who are willing to stand up for what they believe in.
And it is a testament to the power of art to transcend conflict and bring people together.
## What you can do to help
There are a number of ways that you can help support the Odessa Museum of Western and Eastern Art and its collection.
* You can donate to the museum directly through their website.
* You can also donate to organizations that are providing support to the museum, such as the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
* You can spread the word about the museum and its collection on social media.
* You can visit the museum if you are able to travel to Odessa.
Any support that you can provide will be greatly appreciated by the museum and its staff.
## Additional resources
* [The Odessa Museum of Western and Eastern Art](https://www.omwea.org.ua/en/)
* [ICOM](https://icom.museum/en/)
* [Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2022](https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/)
* [The New York Times: ‘I Wake Up Every Day and See a New Picasso’: Ukrainian Museum Director Vows to Protect Collection](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/18/world/europe/ukraine-museum-director-odessa.html).
