At the "Media Center Ukraine", VR KOLO was introduced as the first virtual museum network in Ukraine, bringing together five cultural institutions from various regions into a single digital platform. Now, visitors can "travel" between Chernihiv, Khortytsia, Okhtyrka, Pryluky, and Dubno in mere seconds by simply donning a VR headset.
According to the press release, VR KOLO is a future-oriented infrastructure that connects culture, education, and innovation. The project is implemented with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Fund in partnership with Forward Inc. and the charitable organization "Museum Development Fund".
This initiative is particularly significant against the backdrop of the ongoing war, which has resulted in the loss of hundreds of cultural monuments in Ukraine. VR KOLO allows for the preservation and restoration of cultural presence through the digitization of lost artifacts.
"VR KOLO is a means to preserve and rejuvenate heritage, transforming museums into spaces of action rather than mere observation. We are creating a sustainable infrastructure that will operate daily and continually update with new exhibitions. This represents a new museum culture where heritage becomes vibrant, accessible, and unifying," emphasized Anton Shynkaruk, head of the NGO "Center for Digital History".
Currently, five institutions are connected to VR KOLO: the National Architectural and Historical Reserve "Chernigiv Ancient", the National Reserve "Khortytsia", the Okhtyrka City Museum of Local Lore, the Pryluky Local History Museum, and the State Historical and Cultural Reserve of Dubno.
Over 120 digital exhibits are already featured in the project, each with its own story: from ancient artifacts to objects damaged during combat. The uniqueness of the VR tour lies in the fact that every valuable artifact can be examined up close — even the most fragile can be enlarged and held in one's hands.
The VR KOLO team also announced plans to expand the network and is open to collaboration with museums, local communities, educational institutions, and donors. Participants can request technical audits, training, and assistance in launching VR zones in their cities.
