You are your own country! Is it time to preserve the memory of the fallen Heroes

State policy regarding national memory is an important component of our security and existence in general. The authorities should investigate this issue and form basic principles, principles and programs for the decade. However, each of us is a state. So, preserving the memory of the dead is our task as well. And while state bodies are studying the issue globally, at the level of personal initiatives, a lot can be done today, without waiting for victory, “on time” and a command from above. Preservation of memory is not only about large granite plinths, large-scale museums and educational programs in schools. These are the small and larger steps that everyone can do. And what is more important – invented by us, relevant for us, capable of healing us. Studying the experience of memory preservation, we see dozens of proactive people who use a variety of methods to perpetuate the memory of those who gave their lives for us. From graffiti to tourist routes and even… wine. And that the more “exotic” method is, it seems more sincere, more humane, without false gilding and unnecessary pathos. Thus, a mural in honor of the fallen Hero Oleksandr Khmil recently appeared in Kyiv. The initiative to create the picture belongs to the wife of the deceased Lesya Labunska. Rosy wine Kostia Rose, made in Israel, was named after the fallen soldier Kostyantyn Mrochka. The man planted the vine from which the wine is made several years ago in a vineyard near Haifa. In the city of Yagotyn, in the Kyiv region, a gym was opened in memory of the fallen Hero Volodymyr Syry. The idea was implemented by the brother of the deceased, previously it was their joint dream. The facility was named Gray Wolf, because Wolf is Volodymyr’s call sign. And one of the walls is decorated with a drawing of a fallen warrior and a wolf. In Kyiv, lilac bushes appeared in the “Volunteer Battalion Alley” park in honor of the fallen Hero Taras Koval. And in the village of Slobidka in Prykarpattia, a sports anti-vandal playground was opened in honor of the fallen Hero Roman Rubanyak. The wife of the deceased gave money to the site. These are just a few examples of how Ukrainians preserve the memory of the dead on their own. And each of these initiatives is an important component of our national memory, these are separate puzzles that add up to a big picture that leads us to healing, reconstruction, while preserving the most important thing – memories of people close to us who sacrificed their lives for Ukraine. The memorial platform Memorial seeks to unite and scale all these initiatives. After all, only together can we really achieve high goals. Preservation of memory should come from each of us. This is how the idea of ​​”Viburnum of Memory” was born. Our plan is to create an Alley of Memory of Heroes in the courtyards of educational institutions. Each plant will symbolize one person who died for Ukraine and was related to a specific institution of education. It was important for us to invite Ukrainian society, everyone willing, to collect money for implementation, so that this idea becomes our common idea and we join together in creating a new tradition. In the first week, it was possible to collect the minimum necessary amount, more than 200 people became benefactors. Educational institutions also apply independently if they like the idea, there are already more than 160 registered! All this proves that it is “on time”. We don’t need to wait for victory, it’s time for us to tell our children about important things, to support relatives who are experiencing a loss. Not all rituals associated with farewell are largely related to relatives, and not to the deceased themselves. Yes, and preserving the memory of the dead, we take care of their loved ones, we show them that they are not alone in their grief, that we, as a society, do not care. This is a difficult and important mission for each of us today. Anastasia Abramets, editor-in-chief of the Memorial memory platform, specially for UP.Zhyttia Publications in the “View” section are not editorial articles and reflect the author’s point of view exclusively.



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