Babyn Yar: A Living Memory of Tragedy and a Symbol of Resilience

The National Historical and Memorial Reserve “Babyn Yar,” located in Kyiv, is a unique space of living memory where the tragic pages of history unfold under three totalitarian regimes: Nazi, Soviet, and the ongoing Russian aggression. This site preserves the memory of Holocaust victims, the man-made Kureniivka disaster, and Ukraine’s current struggle for freedom.

A Place of Many Voices

In September 1941, Babyn Yar became one of the Holocaust’s earliest “gates of hell.” Over two days, more than 33,000 Jews were executed in what stands as the largest single massacre of Jews during World War II. This tragedy marks the beginning of the Holocaust as a systematic extermination of the Jewish people by the Nazis.

The tragedy of Babyn Yar extends beyond its Jewish victims. During the occupation, the site also bore witness to the execution of Romani communities, Ukrainian patriots, prisoners of war, children, individuals with mental illnesses, and people of various nationalities and cultures.

After the war, the Soviet regime sought to erase the memory of these events by turning Babyn Yar into a site for construction and industrial waste. This disregard culminated in the Kureniivka disaster of 1961, when a dam collapse swept away hundreds of lives, transforming the site once again into a symbol of neglected memory and human tragedy.

Modern Challenges: War and Propaganda

In 2022 and 2023, Russian bombings inflicted significant damage on the Babyn Yar memorial grounds. Lives were lost in the vicinity, underscoring the threat totalitarian regimes pose to memory, culture, and freedom.

The Mission of Babyn Yar

Today, Babyn Yar serves as a space that brings people and communities together. Here, the memory of past tragedies becomes a powerful tool for dialogue, historical preservation, and the fight for justice. Special attention is given to amplifying the voices of communities that have long been silenced.

The reserve’s “Living Memory” Exhibition Center hosts exhibitions, discussions, and educational projects that examine historical lessons and their relevance to the present day.

Address: 46A Yuriy Illienko Street
Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Admission: Free

International Recognition

On December 11, 2024, during the 19th session of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the National Historical and Memorial Reserve “Babyn Yar” was granted enhanced protection status under the 1954 Hague Convention and its Second Protocol of 1999.