An art video entitled “Melting Memory” was presented in Kyiv as part of the cultural project “Common Heritage”. It explores the theme of the disappearance of intangible cultural heritage and ways to preserve it. The video is based on an installation at the True&Local festival, which took place in August: over the course of two days, a traditional wedding wax wreath melted away before the eyes of visitors.
The author of the installation is master craftswoman Dana Vitkovska, who is reviving the ancient tradition of wedding wreaths, included in the UNESCO National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. For this project, she used a wreath she made herself, inspired by her grandmother’s wedding wreath. It was found in a family hiding place after many years of oblivion — damaged and dusty, but preserved as a memory.
The gradual melting of wax became a symbol of how quickly cultural practices disappear without public attention and participation. The installation and video sparked a dialogue about the role each of us plays in preserving the traditions that shape our identity.
The project was implemented with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as part of the Scholarship Programme.
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