Virtual Reality Revolutionizes Museums in Ukraine
At the Media Center Ukraine, VR KOLO was unveiled — the first virtual reality network of museums in Ukraine, integrating five cultural institutions from various regions into a single digital space. Visitors can now virtually “travel” from Chernihiv to Khortytsia, Okhtyrka, Pryluky, and Dubno in mere seconds with VR headsets.
As stated in the press release, VR KOLO embodies the future's infrastructure, merging culture, education, and innovation. This project is being implemented with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation in partnership with Forward Inc. and the Public Organization “Museum Development Fund.”
This initiative is particularly significant given the ongoing war that has resulted in the loss of hundreds of cultural landmarks in Ukraine. VR KOLO provides a means to preserve and restore cultural presence through the digitization of lost artifacts.
“VR KOLO is a way to safeguard and revive our heritage, transforming museums into active spaces rather than mere sites of observation. We are creating a sustainable infrastructure that will refresh daily with new exhibitions. This marks a new museum culture where heritage becomes alive, accessible, and unifying,” emphasized Anton Shynkaruk, head of the Public Organization “Center for Digital History.”
Currently, five institutions are connected to VR KOLO: the National Architectural and Historical Reserve “Ancient Chernihiv,” the National Reserve “Khortytsia,” the Okhtyrka Local History Museum, the Pryluky Local History Museum, and the State Historical and Cultural Reserve of Dubno.
The project already features over 120 digital exhibits, each with its own story: from ancient artifacts to objects damaged during combat. The uniqueness of the VR tour lies in the ability to closely examine and interact with even the most delicate artifacts.
The VR KOLO team has also announced plans for network expansion and collaboration with museums, local communities, educational institutions, and donors. Participants will receive technical audits, training, and support for launching VR zones in their cities upon request.
