In a significant leap toward preserving historical legacies, the archives of Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, and Czech Republic are undergoing a profound digital transformation. As these nations embrace the digital age, an ambitious initiative is underway to safeguard their vast repositories of historical documents and artifacts. From crumbling papers to fragile photographs, this sweeping endeavor aims to not only preserve the treasures of the past but also unlock a wealth of knowledge for foreign researchers. With archival digitization initiatives gaining momentum, these countries are poised to reshape the way history is accessed, researched, and understood.

UKRAINE

Despite the ongoing armed aggression by Russia on Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian archivists persist in their dedicated efforts to digitize and preserve the documents within the National archival fund. Their unwavering commitment aims to ensure both the protection of historical records and the accessibility of archival information to users.

For example, the Central State Archive of Public Associations and Ukrainics digitized 20 volumes (1,696 scan copies) of archival criminal cases of the foundation №263 "Сollection of out-of-court cases of rehabilitated persons (1918-1950)" against 45 repressed persons.

The Central State Audiovisual and Electronic Archive of Ukraine carries on with its online project, "On Photolithography of Ukraine." In May, the archive focused on thematic videos commemorating two significant events: the 150th anniversary of the birth of P. Skoropadsky and the day of remembrance for the victims of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people.

Moreover, the Ukrainian State Archive presented a new digital archive of the Central State Historical Archive of Ukraine integrated to the unified platform of the "Interarchive Search Portal". The resource has made remarkable progress, with over one million digital copies of documents already uploaded. These include 7,178 archival files from eight different archival funds, providing a comprehensive historical overview of Ukraine from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The digitized collection encompasses a wide range of valuable information, including genealogical records. Notably, the resource features act books, documents from the General Military Chancellery, records from the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, and documents from the Kiev Ecclesiastical Consistory, offering diverse insights into the nation's rich history and religious institutions.

POLAND

Starting from January 25, foreign users now have access to the "Search in Archives" service. This development marks a significant expansion in accessibility, allowing individuals from around the world to utilize this useful resource. The service offers a platform for exploring and retrieving information from various archives, enabling researchers to delve into historical records, documents, and other relevant materials.

LATVIA

A year ago, the Latvian National Library introduced the "Industrial Heritage" digital collection, a collaborative effort involving various cultural and memory institutions in Latvia. Since its inception, the National Archive of Latvia has played a pivotal role in expanding the collection by contributing films, photographs, and documents from numerous enterprises. With over 100 Latvian companies represented, whose products hold significant historical and cultural importance, the collection serves as a testament to the nation's industrial legacy. To commemorate the collection's anniversary, the Latvian National Library is launching a series of recordings titled "Industrial Heritage," offering captivating narratives highlighting the stories behind diverse Latvian enterprises. The collection is accessible in both Latvian and English, ensuring broader accessibility and reach for enthusiasts and researchers alike.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The electronic resource "Archivu bezpečnostních složek" has recently expanded its collections with a significant addition—the personal files of former employees from the First Directorate involved in civil intelligence. This new acquisition offers valuable insights into the activities and backgrounds of these individuals. Additionally, the archive has published several volumes dedicated to illegal intelligence agents who operated under false identities while working abroad. These volumes shed light on the clandestine operations and roles of these specialized agents employed by various intelligence services. The expansion of the archive's collections provides researchers and historians with an enhanced understanding of intelligence operations and their impact on both national and international levels.