During July 8-10, 2022, 400 game developers participated in the United with Ukraine Game Jam held in Warsaw, Poland. This videogame development competition was organized by GovTech Poland, in cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Center from the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Over two days, the jammers, representing 22 countries, came together virtually, and in person, to create working prototypes for new video games that celebrate and support Ukraine’s cultural heritage. United with Ukraine Game Jam participants gather to announce the winning games.
Cultural Heritage Center and U.S. Embassy in Poland staff were joined by Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Ukrainian officials at the Game Jam’s opening ceremonies, which featured a stirring performance by a Ukrainian opera singer now based in Poland as a result of the war. During the busy weekend, gamers heard presentations about Ukraine’s culture from Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute Tetyana Filevska and Ihor Poshyvailo, director of the Maidan Museum and co-founder of the Heritage Emergency Response Initiative (HERI). Jammers were also treated to a cultural performance by Vyselo, a Ukrainian band belonging to the Slavalachia alliance of musicians and folk artists.
Ukraine is home to centuries-old historical and architectural landmarks that speak to the unique cultural identity of the people of Ukraine. The destruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage through Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified war is an attack on that identity. The United States is committed to working with international partners to preserve and protect historically significant places and objects in Ukraine. Since 2002, the State Department’s Cultural Heritage Center has provided nearly two million dollars to support more than 18 cultural preservation projects in Ukraine.
“Jammers” representing 22 countries worked around the clock developing game prototypes in just two days.
Through videogames, those who work to preserve cultural heritage – whether governments, civil society, or individuals – can raise awareness with new audiences and gain allies in the shared responsibility of safeguarding the artifacts, monuments, and practices of our past. The United with Ukraine Game Jam winning games were selected for their ability to connect players with Ukraine’s cultural heritage through engaging graphics, compelling storytelling, and exciting game play.
The United with Ukraine Game Jam builds on the Cultural Heritage Center’s 2021Cultural Heritage Game Jam, created in partnership with Global Game Jam. The Cultural Heritage Game Jam used games to raise awareness about the importance of cultural heritage in local communities. Over 900 developers from 72 countries, including Ukraine and Poland, created 116 games over the course of the event.
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