On 26 May, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine opened the large-scale exhibition project «PATH OF HEROES: In Memory of Symon Petliura», presenting unique artifacts from the period of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. The exhibition is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the tragic death of the outstanding Ukrainian statesman, military and political leader, Head of the Directorate of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, and Chief Otaman of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, Symon Petliura.

The exhibition is composed of objects from the collection of the Military-Historical Museum and Archive of the Ukrainian Free Academy of Sciences (UVAN) in Canada. For decades, the Ukrainian émigré community preserved these materials in order to transfer them to Ukraine after the restoration of independence. In accordance with the «Testament» of the founders of the Military Museum, the collection was transferred to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. The return of this heritage became an event of historical significance, for it concerns not only museum objects, but also the restoration of the integrity of Ukrainian historical memory.

The exhibition presents more than 200 artifacts from this collection, illustrating the course of the Ukrainian struggle for independence during the first quarter of the 20th century. Among them are personal belongings of prominent military and political figures of the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1921, including a Corona typewriter that belonged to Symon Petliura, the officer’s bayonet of Brigadier General of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Volodymyr Salskyi, and elements of the uniforms of Yevhen Konovalets and Andrii Melnyk. A special place in the exhibition is occupied by the battle flags of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, such as the standard of the 2nd Uman Regiment of Mounted Zaporozhians «To Death for Ukraine», as well as military decorations, riflemen’s postcards, original photographs of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, and other materials. Particular attention is drawn to the collection of works by Mykola Bytynskyi – renowned heraldist, graphic artist, painter, poet, scholar, and memoirist of the Ukrainian liberation struggle. The exhibition features a large selection of his works devoted to heraldry, the design of military decorations, Ukrainian military uniforms, military seals, printed editions, and much more. Most of the exhibits are being presented in independent Ukraine for the first time.

Today, Ukrainians are defending their independence in an armed struggle against the same enemy as one hundred years ago. The exhibition «PATH OF HEROES: In Memory of Symon Petliura» demonstrates the continuity of this struggle and carries profound symbolic significance for the heirs of Symon Petliura and other fighters for Ukraine’s independence.

With the support of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation, the exhibition space on the museum’s second floor has been renovated and equipped, and the exhibition «PATH OF HEROES: In Memory of Symon Petliura» has been established as a permanent display at the museum.

The exhibition is curated by Bohdan Patryliak, Deputy General Director.

The exhibition will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; the museum ticket office closes at 5:00 p.m.

Admission: included in the museum entrance ticket – 200 UAH; for school pupils, students, and pensioners – 100 UAH.