On 25 May, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine officially opened the exhibition «PATH OF HEROES: In Memory of Symon Petliura». Created with the support of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation, this remarkable project is of great importance for restoring the integrity of Ukrainian historical memory. For the first time since Ukraine regained independence, visitors can see the personal belongings of the Chief Otaman of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, Symon Petliura, elements of the uniforms of leading figures of the Ukrainian liberation movement, Yevhen Konovalets and Andrii Melnyk, as well as objects connected with other prominent military and political leaders of the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1921.

The General Director of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, Olena Zemliana, addressed the guests of the ceremonial opening with welcoming remarks. She emphasized the importance of the project and thanked everyone whose efforts made it possible.

In his speech, the Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andrii Pyshnyi, stressed the significance of Symon Petliura’s legacy for both Ukrainian history and the present day:

«Symon Petliura said: ‘Strength grows through struggle.’ These are precisely the words every Ukrainian needs to hear. We understand that our independence and sovereignty, our future and our lives, require struggle. The figure of Symon Petliura is inspiring. Today, we continue the struggle that he began. And it has fallen to our generation, to all of us, to bring it to victory».

Andrii Pyshnyi thanked the museum for restoring important chapters of Ukrainian history and presented a commemorative coin issued by the National Bank of Ukraine on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the remembrance of Symon Petliura. The Governor of the National Bank donated this commemorative coin to the collection of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine.

Among the distinguished guests of the event were also those who are currently defending Ukraine: Acting Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Yevhen Khmara, Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine Oleksandr Pivnenko, and Artur Tsyhanok-Paireri, representative of the 152^nd Separate Jaeger Brigade named after Symon Petliura. The defenders emphasized the symbolic significance of the exhibition, which connects today’s battle for independence with the origins of Ukraine’s armed struggle, and thanked the organizers for the invitation.

The importance of the event for the state memory policy was highlighted by First Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine Ivan Verbytskyi:

«Today we commemorate the centenary of the memory of Symon Petliura. This event is part of a broader state policy aimed at reclaiming our own history and restoring historical justice for those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s independence. At last, we have the opportunity to honor their deed with dignity, and this exhibition is one of the best ways to do so».

Artem Mykolaichuk, Chairman of the Board of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation, which financed the creation of the exhibition and the renovation of the exhibition space, stressed that this project is among the most important initiatives undertaken by the Foundation:

«It is extremely important for us to remember our own history, to remember that one hundred years ago we failed to achieve victory, to make Ukraine free and attain independence. Today, however, we already possess independence; we have become a subject of world politics, and Ukraine is known and respected throughout the world. Our task now is not to lose this independence, but to persevere to the end and defeat the Russian empire. To do this, we must remember and understand what happened then, so as not to repeat those mistakes».

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha affirmed that Ukraine is already reclaiming its historical memory and that this process must continue. The exhibition «PATH OF HEROES: In Memory of Symon Petliura» and the reburial of Andrii Melnyk in Kyiv on the same day, he noted, both confirm this idea:

«Today, Andrii Melnyk was reburied in Kyiv, at the cemetery and pantheon of heroes. This, too, is deeply symbolic. I do not believe it is a coincidence. Ukraine must restore and return its cultural heritage and historical treasures from abroad».

The third President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, who attended the opening immediately after the reburial ceremony of the OUN leader and prominent 20th-century fighter for Ukraine’s independence, Andrii Melnyk, emphasized the importance of returning all Ukrainian heroes to their native land:

«Nothing shapes identity more than our language, culture, national memory, our heroes, church, customs, and traditions. Today’s reburial of Colonel Melnyk strengthens that sacred feeling for which a person truly lives. It strengthens our national and political agency».

The head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, Oleksandr Alfyorov, also reflected on the reburial of Andrii Melnyk and stressed that Symon Petliura, too, must be brought home. He further stated that the Ukrainian state should review the investigation and trial of Samuel Schwarzbard following the assassination of Petliura, and that a monument to Symon Petliura should be erected in Kyiv.

The Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, Ihor Ostash, who participated in the process of returning the collection to Ukraine, noted in his speech that many historical treasures still await repatriation and that work in this direction must continue.

Also present at the opening was Oleksandr Krupka, Development Director of Meest. The company ensured the transportation of the collection from Canada and consistently supports Ukrainian cultural initiatives around the world.

Member of Parliament of Ukraine Volodymyr Viatrovych, who helped initiate cooperation between the museum and the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation for the realization of this project, remarked:

«This exhibition is yet another argument against one of the Kremlin’s principal narratives – that Ukraine is an accidental state that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union as one of its fragments. This project tells the story of how the Ukrainian state was being built one hundred years ago. It shows that we possess our own state tradition. And this state tradition makes us stronger».

Yaryna Yasynevych, Program Director of the Pylyp Orlyk Foundation, shared her impressions of working on the project, noting that it was a great honor for the Foundation to cooperate with the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in restoring the museum space and creating the exhibition «Path of Heroes: In Memory of Symon Petliura».

«Most importantly, we want visitors to leave this exhibition with faith in the strength of their people and confidence that the struggle will not be in vain», she emphasized.

The exhibition has been open to the public since 26 May at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine (2 Volodymyrska Street, Kyiv).