Will Ukraine celebrate UPA’s 70th anniversary?

A draft resolution on events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) was registered with the Verkhovna Rada several days ago, reads the VR website. The author of the bill, MP Viacheslav Kyrylenko, offers an action plan to mark the occasion on a national level, along with thematic media coverage, including special radio and television programs; the minting of a commemorative coin and printing a series of postage stamps. The website of the party Za Ukrainu (For Ukraine), led by Kyrylenko (currently in the Joint Opposition), carries his comment on this initiative: “The struggle waged by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army was vivid proof of the Ukrainian people’s national liberation aspirations. Considering the UPA’s important role in the 20th-century history of Ukraine, marking the UPA’s 70th anniversary on the state level is only natural.”

Below Viacheslav KYRYLENKO shares his views on the chances of adopting such a resolution in the current parliament, and, above all, people’s attitude to this issue.

Mr. Kyrylenko, is Ukrainian society prepared to mark the UPA’s 70th anniversary on the state level?

“People who regard themselves as patriots have long agreed on the UPA issue. Of course, there are those who aren’t prepared and only time will determine their attitude to the struggle for national independence. In fact, the draft resolution is about commemorating rather than celebrating the UPA’s 70th anniversary. In other words, it is about national memory, not festivities; about all those who fought for an independent Ukraine. This date must be duly commemorated by the Ukrainian parliament, government, and local authorities.”

Has there been progress in the [public] attitude toward the UPA over the 21 years of Ukrainian independence?

“There has been noticeable progress. At various periods eight oblast councils have adopted resolutions recognizing UPA combatants on their respective territories, providing these people with appropriate social benefits and public respect. In addition, a number of motion pictures and documentaries on the subject have been made and books published. There are the findings of a task force of historians who acted under the aegis of the Government Commission on the OUN and UPA. This document was officially adopted on October 14, 2005. The experts recognized the UPA’s struggle as one for independence, using wartime means and in wartime conditions. The state must make more efforts to establish the objective historical truth, without bias in either direction. Understanding and respect for those who fought for national independence in various armies must gradually become predominant in Ukraine.”

There is a monument to victims of the UPA in Luhansk. How can one convince people otherwise after they fall prey to such an ideology?

“[By asserting] historical truth. Nowhere in the world are people condemned for fighting for national independence. On the contrary, these people are regarded as heroes. In Ukraine many people are still motivated by old imperial and Soviet propaganda. They have no time for pondering complicated issues, being captives of past stereotypes. However, their number is decreasing. The rising generation was born in independent Ukraine. Despite attempts by the current government to turn Ukraine’s movement in the opposite direction, toward political and public slavery, young Ukrainians show a calm attitude toward those who fought for their country. This is a European approach. It will be promulgated, slowly, with difficulty.”

What are the chances of this bill?

“It will never be passed, of course. I tabled this bill on principle. The memory of those who fought for Ukrainian independence must be honored. Even if the parliamentary majority is not prepared to do so, this means nothing for Ukraine, by and large. The majority will go, but Ukraine and the memory of UPA will remain.”

Some might consider your initiative to be a campaign stunt.

“Let them. I don’t care. I have harbored the same views all my political life. Likewise I have been concerned about this issue which is a matter of principle, so let them regard the whole thing whichever way they choose.”