Deus ex machina? NFT Technology as a Means of Preservation for Endangered Cultural Heritage

Abstract

This article discusses NFT technology in the context of cultural heritage protection in armed conflicts, addressing both the benefits and challenges that come with their use. In view of the recent example set by the Kharkiv Art Museum, a cultural institution that has digitized 15 artworks to be sold in an auction and whose incomes will contribute to the preservation of national cultural heritage, the present study will delve into both the legal and ethical aspects underlying what is known as NFTs, shedding light on their possible protection under the existing cultural heritage framework. To this end, the provisions enshrined in the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its Protocols will be examined.