On 15 August 2025, the head of the department, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Olena Tverytnykova took part in a public discussion of the cultural and artistic project ‘PLACE OF RESISTANCE: Infrastructure Projects of the Azovstal Metallurgical Plant: Educational Component.’
The Central State Scientific and Technical Archive of Ukraine (CSSTA of Ukraine), under the auspices of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, is implementing a cultural and artistic project entitled ‘Place of Resistance: Infrastructure Projects of the Azovstal Metallurgical Plant.’ The Central State Scientific and Technical Archive of Ukraine is the only archival institution that centrally stores scientific and technical documents of national importance, whose funds constitute a comprehensive documentary database reflecting the development of our country’s scientific and technical potential.
Project goal: to create an information resource (website) dedicated to unique materials from the archives of the Central State Scientific and Technical Archive of Ukraine and project partners, which reflect the history of some infrastructure facilities of the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works and are dedicated to commemorating its defenders. The project fulfils an important educational mission by promoting the innovative developments of Ukrainian specialists and their contribution to the development of the country’s industrial potential, as well as by helping to understand the role of infrastructure facilities in the national resistance. The project is important for the image of Ukraine’s archival system, drawing public attention to the history of facilities that have become symbols of the Russian-Ukrainian war and the importance of preserving historical and cultural heritage. The project is being implemented as part of the Strategy for the Protection of Documentary Heritage as a Guarantee of Preserving National Identity and Statehood for the period up to 2027, developed by the State Archival Service of Ukraine.
One of the project’s goals is to increase young people’s involvement in researching history and preserving historical and cultural heritage, in particular through familiarisation with archival and library resources. The symbolic significance of Azovstal as an industrial giant and a heroic page in the Russian-Ukrainian war is of great importance for shaping the active civic position of Ukrainians who will build the future of our state, instilling in them a sense of patriotism and respect for the memory of fallen heroes.
The discussion will focus on highlighting the educational and educational potential of the project, in particular its opportunities for developing critical thinking, national consciousness and a deeper understanding of the history of Ukrainian industry as part of cultural heritage among young people through new multimedia formats. The opportunity to see archival primary sources with their own eyes is intended to improve analytical skills in working with information and strengthen research skills.
Based on the results of the public discussion, it is planned to develop a roadmap with specific action points involving the student audience. Among the activities that should be initiated now are curated tours of the exhibition, online meetings with higher education applicants, interactive lectures, educational workshops and training sessions, etc.
The project partners are: the Central State Audiovisual and Electronic Archive, the V. I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine, the V. G. Korolenko Kharkiv State Scientific Library, the NGO Museum Open for Renovation, and the Metinvest Group press service.