Report on the results of an online survey based on an interactive structured questionnaire, the link to which was sent to potential respondents from the database (Kherson Community Research Online Panel).
Research objective: find out the attitude of Kherson residents regarding the issue of establishing a new museum dedicated to the period of occupation and liberation of the city.
Key Findings
Most surveyed Kherson residents (91%) support the establishment of a museum dedicated to the events of 2022. According to the respondents, the following three topics should be presented: the public resistance of Kherson residents (76%), the liberation of Kherson (65%), and the city’s occupation by Russian troops (58%).
The main museum activities should be a collection of testimonies and memories (77%), a collection of museum exhibits (54%), and an organization of exhibitions, performances, and art events (49%).
As for the museum’s name, most respondents supported the “Museum of Indomitability” [ukr: Музей незламності, Muzey nezlamnosti] (65%) of all proposed options (in a multiple-choice question), however, responses to the question “In your opinion, should the word ‘museum’ be used in the name, or is it better to use another word, such as ‘center,’ ‘historical space,’ etc.?” were almost tied between yes and no. 43% believe that the word “museum” should be used in the name, while 41% believe it is better to use another word.
Most Kherson residents support the creation of an indoor museum (62%), although a fifth (19%) of respondents support an open-air museum. Based on the next question, Buzkovyy Gai should be included, where the Kherson Territorial Defense forces fought against the invaders. The museum should be located in downtown Kherson according to 55% of respondents. According to 26%, it should be on the river embankment, and 13% say it should be in one of the city’s outer microdistricts.
According to Kherson residents, the museum’s founders should include, first and foremost the Kherson City Council (47%), then civil society organizations (45%), the Kherson Regional Council (38%), and public authorities (32%). Accordingly, respondents believe that such a museum should have multiple founders and that the civil component is important. It should be (co-)financed primarily by public authorities (51%), Kherson City Council (50%), and Kherson Regional Council (46%).
According to Kherson residents, protest campaigns held in 2022 are the most important event of the occupation period: 76% of respondents believe that items from pro-Ukrainian rallies should be exhibited in the new museum.
Almost half (41%) of Kherson residents have their own stories (memories) that could be recorded for a new museum, and 24% have items, photos, and video files that could be exhibited there.
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This research was conducted by the Zakhyst Kherson Community Foundation Charitable Organization as a part of its project implemented under the USAID/ENGAGE activity, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact. The consents of this research are the sole responsibility of Pact and its implementing partners and do not necessary reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government
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